LaSalle Hotel Rooftop Signs

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

LaSalle Hotel – Rooftop Sign,

South Bend, IN.

When I was growing up in South Bend, I always remembered looking north on Michigan Street and seeing those signs atop the LaSalle Hotel, sitting at an angle so you could see them from blocks away in each direction. There were other businesses with similar signs, also perched atop their buildings visually crying out to potential customers. It just added to the nostalgia of the time.

Those signs are no longer there and with my intent to bring back some of the old nostalgic flavor of the city, I recreated the signs that overlooked the city.  The Bendix Corporation, also in South Bend had a tower with the name spelled out vertically in lights.  I included it in the picture, way off in the distance.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” ……….$1,295.00 Original Painting on stretched canvas

 

Bonnie Doon Drive-in,US 31 N

Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston

Bonnie Doon,

US 31 North, South Bend, Indiana.

There were 5 local Bonnie Doon ice cream shops that were drive-ins, in the South Bend – Mishawaka, Indiana area. I had painted a couple of the stores when a couple approached me and wanted a painting of the drive-in on US 31 north, which was located between South Bend, Indiana and Niles, Michigan. It was just north of a community called Roseland.

There was a catch to this painting though.  The couple had been married at the church, across from this particular Bonnie Doon drive-in. The wife and her mother had both worked there, and while the couple had dated, they spend many evenings at Bonnie Doon.  Here’s the catch! I told them I would paint their car in the painting. We compromised and I painted all the cars they had owned since they had been married into the picture, in all the correct colors.

As you can see, here is the final result.  The prints of the painting became popular and I have painted the same place with other personal cars in the paintings, BUT NOT AS MANY!  I had a ball creating this painting. Here the other Bonnie Doon paintings I have painted: Bonnie Doon, S. Michigan St., South Bend; Bonnie Doon on Lincolnway West in Mishawaka: Bonnie Doon in the 1940s on 4th St in Mishawaka; Bonnie Doon on 4th St. Mishawaka in the 1950s.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
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16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” ……….Original Painting on stretched canvas Not Available

 

Bonnie Doon Drive-in South Michigan St

Copyright Larry Johnstobn
Copyright Larry Johnston

Bonnie Doon Drive-in, S. Michigan St.,

South Bend, Indiana.

Bonnie Doon Ice Cream started in 1941 and in 1944, they opened their first drive-in.  One of their most popular locations was on S. Michigan Street, in South Bend, Indiana.  At the time, when I frequented that location, there were 5 locations in the area.

During my High School days, Michigan Street was a one-way street going north and the next street over, Main Street was one way going south. Bonnie Doon and Azar’s Big Boy sat next door to each other, so they became the hang out as the cars would drives through both establishments, go around the block and back through, over and over, eventually referred to as the merry-go-round.  The teenagers would sit on their cars in the parking lot and watch the cars go by. I remember the cars stopping along Main Street to meet. I am sure many romances started at Bonnie Doon.

I have decided to bring back some of these historic buildings that have since become vacant or torn down. This painting on S. Michigan Street, in South Bend, Indiana, brought back memories and stories from the people who saw it.  I asked my customers if they could find the Corvette Stingray in the painting. Most couldn’t find it, until I pointed out the reflection in the side of the car in the foreground. I have since painted Bonnie Doon – US 31, South Bend, Bonnie Doon 4th St, Mishawaka 1940, Bonnie Doon 4th St., Mishawaka 1950s, Bonnie Doon- Lincolnway, Mishawaka, Indiana.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” Original Painting on stretched canvas……….Not Available

 

G & H Coffee Shop

Copyright Larry Johnston

G & H 24 Hour Coffee Shop, South Bend, IN
Copyright Larry Johnston

G & H 24-Hour Coffee Shop

“The Gag and Heave”,

South Bend, Indiana.

The White House Restaurants in South Bend were a local chain of 24-hour diners in the area. The most famous was the one across from John Adams High School.  The Diner had several nicknames, such as “Fat Shirley’s”, and the most memorable, “The Gag and Heave”.  The owner, Burke Hammond established the restaurant in 1955.  They even had bumper stickers that advertised the diner as the “Gag & Heave”.  The High School students loved it.  On the other side of town, the Studebaker workers also called their local White House Restaurant, “The Gag & Heave”.  Since I went to John Adams High School, I just had to paint the building with the 1962 Studebaker Lark Police car sitting outside, ready for action, just as it was frequently seen during those late-night hours.

The G & H, was eventually sold and is now “Jeanie’s” and has been remodeled and still sits at the corner of Mishawaka Avenue and Twyckenham Avenue, in South Bend across from the High School at 1444 Mishawaka Avenue, serving those late night burgers and lots of coffee.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” ………. $1,295.00 Original Painting

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Elkhart Train Depot

Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Elkhart Train Depot

Elkhart, Indiana

The Elkhart Train Depot was built in 1900 and serviced the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad until 1914.  New York Central road the rails for many years.  In 1971 passengers started using the Depot for their Amtrak travels.  It is used as a stopping place for pick up and delivery of passengers, however tickets cannot be purchased there.

Just on the other side of the tracks across from the depot is the National New York Central Railroad Museum. Both are located downtown Elkhart, IN.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” ………. $1,295.00 Original Painting

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Cappy’s Northside Tavern & Restaurant

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Cappy’s Northside Tavern & Restaurant

Elkhart, IN

Do you love to find a little gem of a restaurant in those out of the way places, where the food is excellent, as well as the friendliness of the staff.  Well, here it is.  Cappy’s is not located on the main street of town or at Restaurant Row.  You can find Cappy’s hidden on the north side of town where all the thriving businesses used to be. Located at 1000 North Michigan Street and Mishawaka St.  in Elkhart, the food and service is always great.  They not only have a great meal, but their bar has several TVs to watch Sports programs while you have a brew and make new friends or just hang out with some old one’s.

 
Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
Error! You must specify a product name in the shortcode.
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” ………. $1,295.00 Original Painting

 

24″ X 36″ original painting on stretched canvas not available.

Simonton Lake Drive In

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Simonton Lake Drive-in

Elkhart, IN

The era of the 1950s were dominated with the classic cars we now remember and occasionally see at car shows and old movies. There were plenty of popular Drive-in Restaurants, complete with car hops. Elkhart was without exception.

The Simonton Lake Drive-in on Cassopolis Street has endured the years and is still a place to go for fast food and fast cars, when they have their “Cruise-in” car shows.  Oh, yes, they also have the car hops to deliver your order.

Home made Root Beer is the signature drink that attracts the customers. Along with their Root Beer in a frosty mug, you may order a burger and fries, or just an ice cream treat, such as a sundae, shake, or even a banana split.  Yummy!

This painting was chosen to exhibit in the Juried Art show at the Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, Indiana in 2019.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” Original Painting on stretched canvas $1,295

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Warner Theatre

 

Copyright Larry Johnston
Werner Theatre 1930s
Copyright Larry Johnston

The Warner Theatre

Elkhart, Indiana, Early 1930s.

The Lerner Theatre was built in Elkhart in 1924 by Harry E Lerner and was later sold to the Warner family, who changed the name to “The Warner”. The Warner theatre name existed from 1931 to 1933, then was sold. It was named “The ELCO” until 2011, when it was returned to its original name, “The Lerner” and renovated into the venue you now see.

I found a black and white photo of what the Werner looked like in its heyday and recreated it in Acrylic paint on stretched canvas to bring back the era of the early 1930s, complete with the trolley. The electric car, now on display at the Ruthmere museum is also in the painting.

This painting was finished in September of 2015 and chosen as part of the exhibit of the “Juried Regional” at the Midwest Museum of American Art, from September until mid-December 2015.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” Original Painting on stretched canvas $1,295

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Copyright Larry Johnston

Crimaldi’s Restaurant & Lounge

Copyright Larry Johnston
Copyright Larry Johnston

Crimaldi’s Restaurant & Lounge

Elkhart, IN

Crimaldi’s Restaurant & Lounge is located, in the heart of Elkhart at 117 W. Jackson Blvd. Once named “Bozos”, Mike Crimaldi and his mother Shirley bought it in 1980 and after several years changed the name to Crimaldi’s in 1988, making it one of the go-to places for great food and social activities

When planning the painting, I decided to make it look like 1988 when Crimaldi’s officially opened with the current name. I had a lot of fun creating a local hot spot for social life and good food, complete with cars of the time.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

24” x 36” Original Painting on stretched canvas $1,295

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Palace Theatre

Copyright Larry Johnston
Palace Theatre, South Bend, IN
Copyright Larry Johnston

The Palace Theatre,

South Bend, Indiana.

As a young boy, I remember all the bright lights of the Palace Theatre in South Bend.  All the best movies were there, including the Premier of the movie “Knute Rockne: All American”, starring Ronald Raegan as George Gipp (The Gipper), with Rudy Vallee, Bob Hope, Jane Wyman, Kate Smith and Pat O’Brian as Knute Rockne..  The theatre was built in 1922 and closed in the 1960’s.  Several years later, it was saved from demolition and remodeled into a theatrical venue with the help of Mrs. Ella. M. Morris, from South Bend. It was renamed “The Morris Civic Auditorium” and later “The Morris Performing Arts Center” now focusing on Broadway Productions and name brand talent.

South Bend had five theatres in the 1960’s when I was growing up.  I have also painted the State Theatre. The two of them and are popular when exhibiting in local shows. Since South Bend was the home of the Studebaker, I had to put one in the painting.

Other Theatre paintings are:  The Reese in Plymouth, INFox in Detroit, Atlanta’s Fox, Fox #2 in Atlanta; The Chicago Theatre; The Los Angeles Theatre; Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City, NJ, Warner Theatre, Elkhart and the Lerner Sign in Elkhart, Indiana.

Prints:
 
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
 
Options:
 
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped  
around the sides of the wood.
 
 
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
 
 
(frames and hardware are not included)
 
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
 
 
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
 
 
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
 
 
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
 
 
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65

18” x 24” Original Painting on stretched canvas – Not Available