NEON DIVER

A re-creation of the Diver sign from the Virginia Court Motel was made for the museum’s rooftop. The original, shown in the above photo is in a private collection in Los Angeles. Original sign circa 1950s, Re-created sign 2014 by Federal-Heath Sign Co., (5’x18’x1’)

• 1948 - Virginia Court Motel built in Meridian, Mississippi along Route 80, the first transcontinental all-weather highway, the Dixie Overland Highway, which stretched from Savannah to San Diego. Owner Ike J. Davis names the motel after a daughter.
• 1950 -Pool installed at the Virginia Court Motel. Neon sign built with illuminated diver and installed by the Gaddis Sign Company, a local sign builder.
• 2000 -Virginia Court Motel demolished. The sign’s diver purchased by Mike Gambone and transported to Lynchburg, Virginia.
• 2002 -Diver shipped to Mark Jamison “The Neon Man” in Roanoke, Virginia for repair and display.
• 2005 -Diver retrieved from Black Dog Salvage Co. upon Jamison’s death.
• 2006 -Diver shipped to the Flexlume Sign Company in Buffalo, New York for full rewiring and restoration
• 2008 -Diver loaned and shipped to the Museum of Neon