Neon That Can Make You Happy
by Association Member Bob Gehl
Darkness comes early these days, signaling dinnertime on Route 66. Having just spent quality time with the new TeePee Drive-In Theater neon sign on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, I was just a few minutes away from my hoped-for supper stop at Happy Burger, just east of the central business district. I hadn't bothered to check in advance as to their hours this time of year, so as I reached the intersection of Dewey Avenue and Mission Street and made an anxious glance to the north, I was relieved to see the neon on and the lights inside lit. I immediately knew at that point that a rewarding dining experience was close at hand.
This diner has been at 215 N. Mission Street (Oklahoma State Highway 66/Historic Route 66) since its debut in 1957 as a Tastee Freez. It also lays claim to be the oldest restaurant in Sapulpa. 1974 brought a name change to Happy Burger, and precious little has changed since. Upon taking over the business in 2002, Peggy Sue Eaton - a true fan of the 50's and reared by a family partial to Pepsi-Cola products - started to collect and display memorabilia from that brand inside the diner, growing over time to become, in essence, a Pepsi mini-museum. That memorabilia provides an interesting backdrop within the cozy confines; a real treat to peruse while waiting for your order or during your meal. And the food will far from disappoint; classic "old fashioned" hamburgers from a well-used griddle, hand-cut french fries made daily, plus a variety of other sandwiches, sides and drinks. Malts and Shakes are available in seven flavors, including their acclaimed Peanut Butter. My choice of fare this evening, not surprising based on past track record, was a foot long hot dog, regular fries, and a large chocolate shake, plus the requisite large half sweet/half unsweet iced tea to wash it all down.
After dining and exchanging some pleasantries with the staff, it was out into the pleasant evening air for some exterior images, namely the "Happy Burger" neon sign capped with an interior-illuminated image of a nattily-attired chef with his trays of delights. I've long loved the playful neon script that could not be a better fit for a business so appropriately named ... no matter how your day is going or has gone, I doubt you cannot help but just feel happy under its presence. Now I've attempted to capture a satisfactory image of this sign on a couple of previous visits, but always felt frustrated in not being able to position the sign in such a way as to eliminate the plethora of overhead wires that dominate the scene. However, on this occasion, I decided to simply embrace the clutter above and include it in the image attached. It seemed to work for me on this particular night as the sign itself radiated light up to outline the nearby pole and wires. I still go out of my way, whenever possible, to work around those elements (predominantly non-sign related wires) that I feel distract from a focus on the innate beauty of the object (sign) itself. With a warm feeling fueled by good food and happy neon, I was on my way, ready for what may lay ahead on the Will Rogers Highway.
Bonus Image - Just a few short blocks east (north) of Happy Burger on Mission, a striking pink neon glow dominates the streetscape. Jutting out from the front facade of an otherwise unremarkable cinder block building, the Carl's Pig Stand neon sign with the blinking snout and tail simply captivates. According to the good folks at Happy Burger, a local resident and antique dealer had this vintage sign restored and mounted on this building that's near where Carl's (established 1941) once stood - now long since gone, replaced years ago by a McDonald's which has since relocated to another site in town. Carl's Pig Stand may be forever lost, but this remnant from the past acknowledges what once was in grand fashion.
I hope the included images bring a sweet smile to all who applaud these two enduring survivors.
This article has been edited and adapted from a November 2022 write-up. Bob Gehl is also a member of the Route 66 Association of Missouri and is a passionate preservationist and neon aficionado.
