The History Behind Boston’s Most Iconic Signs
Boston’s Sign Story
Boston’s skyline tells stories and sometimes, those stories glow in neon. From the Citgo Sign in Kenmore Square to the Polcari’s Coffee sign in the North End, these landmarks aren’t just advertisements; they’re pieces of the city’s DNA. Locals use them as meeting points, tourists snap photos beneath them, and generations grow up watching their lights flicker across the Charles.
Boston’s signs reflect the city itself: proud, resilient, and a little nostalgic. Here’s how a few of the most recognizable ones earned their fame.
The Citgo Sign: Boston’s Beacon
By Beyond My Ken - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
You can’t talk about Boston signs without starting with the Citgo Sign, a 60-foot neon triangle glowing above Kenmore Square since 1940. Originally installed to promote the Cities Service Company, it became a symbol of home for Bostonians.
When the Red Sox play, the sign shines over Fenway Park like a guardian. When Citgo once planned to remove it in the ’80s, locals rallied — and won. Today, it’s not just an ad; it’s a protected city landmark.
Fun fact: The sign’s LED upgrade in 2016 cut its energy use by nearly 90% while keeping that classic glow.
Shop our CITGO Skyline merch collection here.
The Hood Milk Bottle: Quirky and Quintessential
The Hood Milk Bottle, parked outside the Boston Children’s Museum, is one of the city’s most charming oddities. Built in 1933 as a roadside ice-cream stand in Taunton, it was moved to Boston in 1977.
At 40 feet tall, it’s impossible to miss and perfectly Boston: practical, a bit weird, and proud of it. It’s now both a snack bar and a selfie magnet on the Fort Point waterfront.
The Dunkin’ Donuts Original Shop Sign
Before it was simply Dunkin’, it was Dunkin’ Donuts — and the first shop opened in Quincy in 1950. The retro orange-and-pink sign still stands as a nod to the city’s caffeinated heritage.
It’s not just a coffee chain here it’s religion. This sign is a pilgrimage stop for anyone who grew up saying, “Regular” means cream and sugar.
The CITGO Sign’s Cousins: The Gas Tank & The Schrafft’s Tower
By Lasart75 - Own work, CC BY 3.0
Two more signs compete for Boston icon status:
The Dorchester Gas Tank, painted with Corita Kent’s rainbow design in 1971, represents Boston’s creative soul.
The Schrafft’s Tower in Charlestown once advertised candy and ice cream; today, its glowing red letters light up the Mystic River like a memory from another era.
Both are beloved skyline anchors that prove corporate logos can evolve into civic art.
Shop our Dorchester Swash Gas Tank merch collection here.
Polcari’s Coffee: North End Nostalgia
Walk down Salem Street and you’ll smell Polcari’s before you see it. The hand-painted Polcari’s Coffee sign has hung in the North End since 1932, surviving gentrification, chain competition, and time itself.
It’s a reminder that old-school craftsmanship — like the store’s bins of beans, teas, and spices — never goes out of style.
Boston’s Signs Are More Than Landmarks
Each of these icons tells a story about community, resilience, and identity. They’re reminders of a city that respects its past even as it changes. Whether you grew up watching the Citgo Sign flash over Kenmore or grabbing coffee beneath the Schrafft’s Tower, Boston’s signs connect generations in a shared sense of place.
