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Lighted marquee with large “FOX” sign above it.
The Fox Theatre’s unmistakable entrance.
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Your ultimate guide to Atlanta's most iconic, beloved signs

Quirky, historic, holy, or just plain weird—Atlanta’s loaded with noteworthy signage

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The Fox Theatre’s unmistakable entrance.
| Georgia Department of Economic Development

From the classic gold letters on Tech Tower at Georgia Tech to the iconic neon sparkling over the Majestic Diner, the Atlanta area boasts some pretty remarkable signs.

These are mood-lifting, night-brightening landmarks and, in many cases, constants in a rapidly changing city. (Unless you’re the longstanding EQUITABLE sign downtown, which was controversially replaced last year with Georgia’s Own LED sign).

So buckle up and come along for a tour of signs that make every Atlantan think of home.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

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Opened in 1965, the bastion of tastiness that is the Krispy Kreme on Ponce is almost as well known for its iconic sign as for its sweet treats.

Large red and white Krispy Kreme Doughnuts sign. 4kclips/Shutterstock

“Fly Delta Jets”

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Originally installed in 1968 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the “Fly Delta Jets” sign has long greeted travelers arriving and departing Georgia’s capital city. In the early 2000s, the sign went dark as Delta fought its way out of financial woes, but the lights came back on in 2007.

Building with red and white “Fly Delta Jets” sign on it. EQRoy/Shutterstock

TECH Tower

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Lighted signs on all four sides of the seven-story Georgia Tech tower, this famous installment can be seen all over campus. Students have stolen the letter T so many times over the years, sometimes even photographing the wayward letter on vacation in various locations, that the school was forced to start a "Keep The T In Tech" campaign.

Top of red building with “TECH” near the top in gold letters. Rob Hainer/Shutterstock

Ebenezer Baptist Church

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The historic sign that marks Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s church was repaired in 2001 during Part One of a two-part renovation project.

Blue sign with white letters that read Ebenezer Baptist Church Michael Gordon/Shutterstock

The Varsity

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The Varsity's famous V sign can be seen from the Downtown Connector, summoning everyone from presidents to college students with stomachs of steel to come enjoy an F.O. and naked dog.

Manuel's Tavern

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Manuel's Tavern is known as many things: locals hangout, Democrat haven, nationally recognized bar, and home to the familiar painted sign with the blue hog.

Today's high is 75 and the low is 65. Though today's weather isn't a good example of it, we're kind of USPS of bars:...

Posted by Manuel's Tavern on Wednesday, February 21, 2018

The Vortex Bar & Grill

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It isn't as old as some signs on this list, but the Vortex's spiral-eyed skull entrance has become synonymous with Little Five Points since it revealed its toothy grin two decades ago.

Doorway surrounded by skull and swirly eyes. Leeweh/Shutterstock

“Jesus Saves”

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Considered the mother church of African Methodism in Atlanta, Big Bethel AME Church on Auburn Avenue is easily recognizable thanks to the blue “Jesus Saves” sign mounted on the steeple.

Church steeple with blue “Jesus Saves” sign on it. AP Photo/David Goldman

Hotel Clermont

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Since 1924, the Hotel Clermont has lived a colorful life, even narrowly missing complete extinction before it was rescued by those who valued its history. In addition to the hotel’s popular Clermont Lounge sign, which, since 1965, depicts two (ahem) totally accurate line drawings of the women inside, it also features equally notable hotel signage overlooking its scenic rooftop.

Red tower atop a building with “Hotel Clermont” on it. @patrickspov

Majestic Diner

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Ah, food that pleases since 1929! The Majestic Diner's neon has called many a drunken Ponce de Leon frolicker to enjoy 4 a.m. breakfasts and coffee.

Nighttime shot of building with neon lights across the roofline. Michael Gordon/Shutterstock

The Plaza Theatre

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Next door to the Majestic, the Plaza Theatre's eye-catching marquee, which has welcomed patrons since 1939, is being renovated and restored. Neon will be replaced with LEDs and rust will be removed.

Ponce City Market

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After a long tenure as the home of a Sears, Roebuck & Company shipping center, the landmark building in Old Fourth Ward awoke to new life in 2014 as Ponce City Market. A hotspot for shopping, dining, and entertainment, PCM is easy to find, thanks to its already iconic, marquee sign across the top of the building. (The huge, Ponce-facing facade signage is eye-catching as well.)

U-shaped multi-story building with Ponce City Market sign on roof and cyclists in front. Curbed Atlanta

KODAK Sign

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Built in 1950, the building with Ponce's recognizable KODAK sign was a Star Photo camera shop before taking on the Kodak brand and has been abandoned for years, aside from a stint as Shirley Franklin's campaign HQ. When the building was sold to an investor in 2014, the contract included a provision that the sign remain.

Two-story building with large KODAK sign on the roof. 4kclips/Shutterstock

The Fox Theatre

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Opened in 1929, the Fox Theatre and its vintage signage are centerpieces of Peachtree. Once threatened by demolition in the 1970s, it’s hard to imagine the city without the Fox and its luminescent signage now.

The Biltmore

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For more than 30 years, the South's first radio station, WSB, broadcasted from inside the Biltmore Hotel, and its radio towers became (and remain) a city landmark.

(With writing contributions above from former Curbed staffer Kimberly Turner.)

Multi-story building with twin radio towers on the roof. Darryl Brooks/Shutterstock

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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Opened in 1965, the bastion of tastiness that is the Krispy Kreme on Ponce is almost as well known for its iconic sign as for its sweet treats.

Large red and white Krispy Kreme Doughnuts sign. 4kclips/Shutterstock

“Fly Delta Jets”

Originally installed in 1968 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the “Fly Delta Jets” sign has long greeted travelers arriving and departing Georgia’s capital city. In the early 2000s, the sign went dark as Delta fought its way out of financial woes, but the lights came back on in 2007.

Building with red and white “Fly Delta Jets” sign on it. EQRoy/Shutterstock

TECH Tower

Lighted signs on all four sides of the seven-story Georgia Tech tower, this famous installment can be seen all over campus. Students have stolen the letter T so many times over the years, sometimes even photographing the wayward letter on vacation in various locations, that the school was forced to start a "Keep The T In Tech" campaign.

Top of red building with “TECH” near the top in gold letters. Rob Hainer/Shutterstock

Ebenezer Baptist Church

The historic sign that marks Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s church was repaired in 2001 during Part One of a two-part renovation project.

Blue sign with white letters that read Ebenezer Baptist Church Michael Gordon/Shutterstock

The Varsity

The Varsity's famous V sign can be seen from the Downtown Connector, summoning everyone from presidents to college students with stomachs of steel to come enjoy an F.O. and naked dog.

Manuel's Tavern

Manuel's Tavern is known as many things: locals hangout, Democrat haven, nationally recognized bar, and home to the familiar painted sign with the blue hog.

Today's high is 75 and the low is 65. Though today's weather isn't a good example of it, we're kind of USPS of bars:...

Posted by Manuel's Tavern on Wednesday, February 21, 2018

The Vortex Bar & Grill

It isn't as old as some signs on this list, but the Vortex's spiral-eyed skull entrance has become synonymous with Little Five Points since it revealed its toothy grin two decades ago.

Doorway surrounded by skull and swirly eyes. Leeweh/Shutterstock

“Jesus Saves”

Considered the mother church of African Methodism in Atlanta, Big Bethel AME Church on Auburn Avenue is easily recognizable thanks to the blue “Jesus Saves” sign mounted on the steeple.

Church steeple with blue “Jesus Saves” sign on it. AP Photo/David Goldman

Hotel Clermont

Since 1924, the Hotel Clermont has lived a colorful life, even narrowly missing complete extinction before it was rescued by those who valued its history. In addition to the hotel’s popular Clermont Lounge sign, which, since 1965, depicts two (ahem) totally accurate line drawings of the women inside, it also features equally notable hotel signage overlooking its scenic rooftop.

Red tower atop a building with “Hotel Clermont” on it. @patrickspov

Majestic Diner

Ah, food that pleases since 1929! The Majestic Diner's neon has called many a drunken Ponce de Leon frolicker to enjoy 4 a.m. breakfasts and coffee.

Nighttime shot of building with neon lights across the roofline. Michael Gordon/Shutterstock

The Plaza Theatre

Next door to the Majestic, the Plaza Theatre's eye-catching marquee, which has welcomed patrons since 1939, is being renovated and restored. Neon will be replaced with LEDs and rust will be removed.

Ponce City Market

After a long tenure as the home of a Sears, Roebuck & Company shipping center, the landmark building in Old Fourth Ward awoke to new life in 2014 as Ponce City Market. A hotspot for shopping, dining, and entertainment, PCM is easy to find, thanks to its already iconic, marquee sign across the top of the building. (The huge, Ponce-facing facade signage is eye-catching as well.)

U-shaped multi-story building with Ponce City Market sign on roof and cyclists in front. Curbed Atlanta

KODAK Sign

Built in 1950, the building with Ponce's recognizable KODAK sign was a Star Photo camera shop before taking on the Kodak brand and has been abandoned for years, aside from a stint as Shirley Franklin's campaign HQ. When the building was sold to an investor in 2014, the contract included a provision that the sign remain.

Two-story building with large KODAK sign on the roof. 4kclips/Shutterstock

The Fox Theatre

Opened in 1929, the Fox Theatre and its vintage signage are centerpieces of Peachtree. Once threatened by demolition in the 1970s, it’s hard to imagine the city without the Fox and its luminescent signage now.

The Biltmore

For more than 30 years, the South's first radio station, WSB, broadcasted from inside the Biltmore Hotel, and its radio towers became (and remain) a city landmark.

(With writing contributions above from former Curbed staffer Kimberly Turner.)

Multi-story building with twin radio towers on the roof. Darryl Brooks/Shutterstock