A CLASSIC NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE:



Downtown Highland's new landmark is the talk of the town.

We would like to set the record straight about who paid for the new Gateway Sign on Ridge Road and give everyone some insight about how it came to be and how it fits into the plan for the future of Downtown Highland.

The Highland Downtown Association paid for the sign and its installation—not the Town. We donated it, along with a sum of money for future maintenance, to the Town. Designed to look like an authentic, mid-century sign, this new landmark features a clock, neon, and vintage typefaces and colors. This unique 15 foot tall sign was designed by award-winning designer Judith Mayer from Highland. The sign increases our visibility and strengthens our identity. “It’s just what Downtown Highland needed,” says Norma Fross, owner of Highland Kiddie Shoppe, “I love it!”

LEFT: A ribbon cutting to officially christen the Downtown Highland Gateway Sign took place on September 5, 2007. Downtown business owners, Highland Chamber of Commerce members and town officials came to celebrate this welcome addition to the downtown business district. In attendance were Bill Leep of Pleasant View Dairy; Cecile Petro, Highland Redevelopment Director; Mary Luptak, Highland Chamber of Commerce Director; Jim Dal Santo, Attorney at Law; Sheila Courtright, First Midwest Bank; Cathy Weir, Just Peachy Gifts; Norma Fross, Highland Kiddie Shoppe; Tom Weir, Just Peachy Gifts; Pat Popa, Popa Heating & Cooling; Sue Ferguson, Hoosier Highlander; Judith Mayer, Keyword Design; Judy Vaughn, Highland Public Works; Mary Shelton, Centier Bank; Kevin Husse, Highland Public Works; Joe Wszolek, Highland Town Council Vice President; Rich Underkofler, Highland Town Manager; Dan Dernulc, Highland Town Council President; and Lance Ryskamp, Attorney at Law.

Sue Ferguson, owner of Hoosier Highlander and President of the Downtown Association, thinks the new sign is a great landmark. "People have had trouble finding us in the past, but now we use the sign to easily direct them to our store," says Sue.

“It's not just a sign; it’s part of a much bigger plan,” explains Pat Popa, Vice President of the Downtown Association. Over the last few months, several of our members have participated in the Redevelopment Commission's planning process by presenting our opinions at public meetings. We suggested that we be ourselves—not a contrived 19th century Main Street, not a generic neo-traditional retail district, but a uniquely retro destination—a Mid-Century Modern Downtown. This concept was very well received by the many citizens and business owners in attendance.

Many of our Downtown buildings are of Modernist design, characterized by clean, simple lines, a minimum of decoration, large glass display windows, and flat or low pitch rooflines. They contain materials such as Indiana limestone masonry with aluminum, glass and concrete details. Modern signs often have neon with unique typefaces.

Highland was founded in 1910, but the Downtown really developed significantly during the mid-century. In the forties, Highland's population nearly doubled, and in the fifties it exploded, growing from 5,878 to 16,284 by 1960. The town's financial base changed from agricultural to commercial and consequently the Downtown saw marked growth.

In an age when businesses come and go, our Downtown boasts many that have been continuously operating for decades—some are even run by the same families that started them. The Leep Family still runs Pleasant View Dairy. They started the retail part of their business by building a plant on Highway Avenue in 1948 and they are still there today. Norma Fross runs the Highland Kiddie Shoppe, which her parents Jack & Melita Basz opened in 1948, also on Highway Avenue. One of our most distinct buildings is the Town Theatre on Kennedy Avenue. Built in 1946, complete with a neon marquee, yellow and red enamel tiled façade and red velvet seats, it's a treasure.

Much of our nation's buildings and signage from the recent past has been lost in the name of progress, and Downtown Highland is fortunate to have a number of surviving examples to remind us of who we were and how we lived.

We know we can never be like a new lifestyle center or mall, but we don't want to be. We have something special. Some towns spend enormous amounts of time and money trying to fabricate a downtown and we are lucky enough to have one. Let's not take it for granted.

The Redevelopment Commission is currently developing design standards to ensure future development reflects the Modern aesthetic that is Downtown Highland. We are excited that the past and the future can work together to strengthen our unique identity. We look forward to seeing new construction with a Modern flair and we hope that a façade improvement program will someday be in place to return many storefronts to their Mid-Century Modern style. The Gateway Sign is a great first step to promoting our identity and making Downtown Highland a unique destination for shopping, dining, and experiencing a slice of true Americana.

A Classic Never Goes out of Style!

The First Friday of each month take advantage of one day specials and events. Look for the bright blue flags identifying particpating businesses.

Anthony's Café
Avon
Creative Hair Styling Academy		25% off all perms. Appointment necessary. All work is performed by students under the professional supervision of licensed instructors.
85 Degrees Tanning Salon
Family Eyecare Center		YOUR CHOICE FREE: Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth, Eyeglass Cleaning Spray, or Eyeglass Case
Great Hair Days		20% off all retail.
Highland Kiddie Shoppe
Hoosier Highlander
Just Peachy Gift Shop
More Color Inc. Paints		An extra 5% off on any paint purchase