The Arby's Sign In Williamsport Pa

 

The Original Arby's Hat Sign on the Golden Strip in Williamsport is thought to be one of less than 100 still in use throughout the United States. Installed in the early 1970s, the sign would be a  codes violation today, due to it's size, but it's grandfathered in and allowed to remain. 

Not only is the one in Williamsport still standing, it's still maintained in working order.

The panels for the lettering are made of hand blown glass, and the lights burn out frequently.  The neon letters, when they stop working,  have to be sent away to be rebuilt and filled with glass.

 When the current owners purchased the location, pigeons lived in the sign, and it was in extreme disrepair.  They had it refurbished, and continue to maintain it, although it costs several thousand dollars a year to keep it running.  

This photo, NOT in Williamsport, shows the original sign and building design for Arby's locations. The buildings were meant to look like conestoga wagons.

The Original Arby's was founded in Boardman Ohio (near Youngstown) on July 23rd 1964, by brothers Forrest and Leroy Raffel. They chose the name "R B's" , based on their name - the Raffel Brothers.  

The restaurant in Williamsport opened sometime in the early 1970s.