How One Arizona Group Is Shining Light Onto Our Past

There used to be a magic to American cities. They felt otherworldly, like the second you stepped foot within them, anything was possible.

Now, not much has changed. Cities still operate the same, and somewhat still look similar, but there's one major difference that sucked the magic right out, and one Arizona group wants to bring it back.

Welcome to the Neon Garden

Neon signs. Those massive pillars to capitalism no longer line every street you're walking down, and we're worse off for it. Sure, they were just ads, but they were also art, and it's art that some don't want to let go.

That would include the city of Mesa, who have just finished their massive "Neon Garden" project. The city, along with Historic Preservation advocates, spent years collecting a refurbishing neon signs from the 1940s through the 1970s. Now, they're ready for the public.

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What's in the Neon Garden?

The garden officially opened to the public on May 15th, 2025. Located behind The Post at 26 N. Macdonald, the space has already become a hit, full of vintage signs that inspire awe and nostalgia. They glow, glitter, and light up the city nights for your entertainment.

Included among the signs are Bill Johnson's Big Apple, The Smiley Ford Sign, the Frontier Motel Sign, among many other iconic parts of Arizona history. These help remind us of where we came from as a state and society, and now stand as one of the most unique art installations in the Phoenix Metro-Area.

[Axios Phoenix][Mesa Now][@downtownmesa via Instagram]