Historic Dolly Varden Hotel Sign Back on Top

A crane hoisted a restored neon "Dolly Varden Hotel" sign from the 1930s into place atop the Varden Hotel in Long Beach today, marking the end of a seven-year project.

The sign was designated as a vintage historical object and granted landmark status by the city of Long Beach in 1995, though it neon tubing had lost its glow.

Larry Black said he bought the Varden Hotel at 335 Pacific Ave. seven years ago and began work to restore the sign.

"We color sampled and tested by taking off layers of paint to determine the original color in the '30s was the black lacquer with antique off-white lettering," Black said.

The sign includes includes two panels with its "bath in every room" tagline, which goes back to a time when hotels without in-room toilets were the norm in Long Beach. Two other restored panels read "Dolly Varden Hotel."

The neon lettering will be red for the word "hotel" and blue for the rest to match the original colors, Black said.

"I think people will actually be walking by to take pictures of it that are visiting because it is such an iconic symbol," Black said.

Long Beach Vice Mayor Robert Garcia credited local preservationists and others with helping get the sign restored.

"The fact that we put up the new sign today really is a testament to the city working together with the property owner," Garcia said.

The sign faces north and south above Pacific Avenue.

--City News Service