Western Auto Sign Restoration Brings Iconic Kansas City Landmark Back to Light
The iconic Western Auto sign in Kansas City is set to be illuminated again after undergoing a significant restoration. The project involved replacing approximately 3,000 light bulbs and repairing nearly 40 neon elements. This restoration effort, supported in part by…
Kansas City, MO, August 17, 2026 —
The beloved Western Auto sign in Kansas City is poised to shine brightly once more following a comprehensive restoration project. This undertaking has focused on meticulously bringing the historic landmark back to its former illuminated glory.
Key aspects of the restoration involved the replacement of approximately 3,000 light bulbs. In addition to the bulbs, nearly 40 individual neon elements were repaired as part of the effort to ensure the sign’s visual integrity and operational capacity.
The restoration initiative received partial support from the city’s own Illuminate KC program. This initiative is designed to foster and fund projects that enhance public spaces through lighting and art.
The goal of this extensive work is to restore the sign’s complete animation, re-establishing its visual dynamism. The Western Auto sign has long served not only as a piece of public art but also as a significant symbol of Kansas City’s heritage and identity.
Erected in 1952, the sign has been a constant presence on the Kansas City skyline for multiple generations, becoming a deeply ingrained part of the city’s visual landscape and collective memory.
Story summarized from the original created by Fernanda Silva on www.kshb.com, see more information here.
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