# The Fluorescent Orange Saugus-saurus Has Risen From the Dead **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 17, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487 "2017-07-17T13:11:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/1 "2017-07-17T13:11:04Z")
In recent years all the wonderful 1950s-era kitsch that has defined Route 1 running through Saugus north of Boston has been disappearing. The Howard Johnsons restaurant disappeared before I even arrived. Weylu’s giant Chinese restaurant Palace on the hill where Route 1 breaks free is long gone, having sputtered along for years before being torn down. The Full of Bull restaurant was torn down and replaced with a – _shudder_ – MacDonald’s The venerable Hilltop steakhouse was torn down a couple of years ago, and its herd of fiberglas cows scattered to the winds, although the 100 foot tall lighted cactus is still there (though not lit up) The Ship restaurant (in the shape of a fully-rigged sailing ship, of course) , having passed through many hands, is closed once again and in danger of being torn down. Fortunately, we still have the Christmas Tree shop in the shape of a fishing village (next to The Ship), the Kowloon restaurant in the shape of an enormous Polynesian hut, and Prince Restaurant with its Leaning Tower of Pisa/Pizza. But the Route 1 Mini-Golf and Batting Cages was purchased and the miniature golf course bulldozed. Its signature feature, the bright orange T. Rex with its fluorescent green eyes, which sat almost opposite Weylu’s, guarding the start of Route 1 in Saugus, was in jeopardy. But people are as fond of the damned thing as Back Bay fans are of the Citgo sign (the sole remaining lit-up sign of the many that ringed Boston’s Back Bay 50 years ago), and mobilized , like the Citgo signers, to save the Saugus-saur. Now it’s back, atop a retaining wall: > **[Saugus, Mass., dinosaur moves to higher ground](https://www.pressherald.com/2017/07/14/saugus-mass-dinosaur-moves-to-higher-ground/)** > > The statue has overlooked Route 1 for years, and though its site has been sold, it will remain. > **[Orange Dinosaur Has New Home On Route 1](https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/route-1-orange-dinosaur-saugus/)** > > One of the most famous residents in Massachusetts has a new home – at least temporarily. For now, the 1950s-era sign for the Mini-Golf is still there, too, but I suspect its days are numbered: > **[saugus orange dinosaur - Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=IsmfQ4dL&id=3CA4F966C3CDC460F641E407999DD4380B42F057&thid=OIP.IsmfQ4dLs0t68SJX5dOiHQEsDG&q=saugus%2Borange%2Bdinosaur&simid=608045647061386503&selectedIndex=75&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/2 "2017-07-17T14:18:30Z")
Most of the Hilltop cows are now at the new mall in Lynnfield, if you’re feeling nostalgic. Other than that, you’re right - Route 1 is pretty well sanitized now. You could have added Russo’s Candies, now moved into the Village Park strip mall and replaced by a bank branch (with a short sojourn as a Krispy Kreme), and for old-timers the Adventure Car Hop, replaced by the nondescript Continental Restaurant, the Red Coach Diner (replaced by a Kelly’s, at least a local institution), and the duck farm / restaurant that used to be at the Essex Street intersection. The ice cream stand on Elm Street is just another Dunkin’s now. Cherish Kane’s Donuts while you can. Patronizing them is the best method. Glad I moved to Orlando, where kitsch is still cherished. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/3 "2017-07-17T14:30:43Z")
The Pine Crest Motel used to look like this: [http://www.lileks.com/motels/MA/3.html](http://www.lileks.com/motels/MA/3.html) I think (though I’m not sure) it mertamorphosed into the Ferns: [https://www.google.com/search?q=Pine+Crest+Motel+Saugus&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjpjuW9w5DVAhUC1CYKHRGVDvMQ\_AUIBygC&biw=1440&bih=708#imgrc=mhA2fSHpC76HOM:&spf=1500301734058](https://www.google.com/search?q=Pine+Crest+Motel+Saugus&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjpjuW9w5DVAhUC1CYKHRGVDvMQ_AUIBygC&biw=1440&bih=708#imgrc=mhA2fSHpC76HOM:&spf=1500301734058) Now the cabins (which were in wretched shape) have been torn down, and only the vandalized sign remains. [https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x89e372b18fe8937b:0x361ddd50bef82506!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4s/maps/place/Ferns%2BMotel%2BSaugus/@42.4918403,-71.0164456,3a,75y,101.43h,90t/data%3D\*213m4\*211e1\*213m2\*211si9byHZo4LiOiKVCpUZTydg\*212e0\*214m2\*213m1\*211s0x89e372b18fe8937b:0x361ddd50bef82506!5sFerns+Motel+Saugus+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e2!2si9byHZo4LiOiKVCpUZTydg&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwir2-r6w5DVAhUDKyYKHfUfB9sQpx8IhAEwCg](https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x89e372b18fe8937b:0x361ddd50bef82506!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4s/maps/place/Ferns%2BMotel%2BSaugus/@42.4918403,-71.0164456,3a,75y,101.43h,90t/data%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211si9byHZo4LiOiKVCpUZTydg*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x89e372b18fe8937b:0x361ddd50bef82506!5sFerns+Motel+Saugus+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e2!2si9byHZo4LiOiKVCpUZTydg&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwir2-r6w5DVAhUDKyYKHfUfB9sQpx8IhAEwCg) ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/4 "2017-07-17T15:39:43Z")
That’s one institution that won’t be missed. I don’t even wonder where the low-budget hookers and druggies go now. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/5 "2017-07-17T15:54:26Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > But the Route 1 Mini-Golf and Batting Cages was purchased and the miniature golf course bulldozed. Its signature feature, the bright orange T. Rex with its fluorescent green eyes, which sat almost opposite Weylu’s, guarding the start of Route 1 in Saugus, was in jeopardy. But people are as fond of the damned thing as Back Bay fans are of the Citgo sign (the sole remaining lit-up sign of the many that ringed Boston’s Back Bay 50 years ago), and mobilized , like the Citgo signers, to save the Saugus-saur. Now it’s back, atop a retaining wall: > > [Saugus, Mass., dinosaur moves to higher ground](http://www.pressherald.com/2017/07/14/saugus-mass-dinosaur-moves-to-higher-ground/) That’s a good story. Here in Las Vegas, we work to preserve the old signs from hotels and casinos. It’s not the same as seeing them in their original locations, but it’s something. And I like the ambience it adds to the downtown area to have them scattered around Fremont Street like they are. It’s hard to preserve Americana/pop culture as parts of it become increasingly isolated, both temporally and physically. “Art is not eternal”, eh. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/6 "2017-07-17T17:56:41Z")
Must be the time for that sort of thing. The giant duck that floated for years on a nearby park lake, then got removed and decayed, has also been returned to a place of honor: [The duck is back](http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/the-duck-is-back/article_ac84f6ed-721e-509a-ac81-a9bd1c1e2dbf.html) ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/7 "2017-07-17T18:04:12Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That’s one institution that won’t be missed. I don’t even wonder where the low-budget hookers and druggies go now. > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > That’s a good story. Here in Las Vegas, we work to preserve the old signs from hotels and casinos. It’s not the same as seeing them in their original locations, but it’s something. And I like the ambience it adds to the downtown area to have them scattered around Fremont Street like they are. I kinda conflated these… _That’s a good story. Here in Las Vegas, we work to preserve the old hookers and druggies from hotels and casinos. It’s not the same as seeing them in their original locations, but it’s something. And I like the ambience it adds to the downtown area to have them scattered around Fremont Street like they are._ The title led me to assume some subject entirely different. ---
**Author:** ![Tee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Tee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tee)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/8 "2017-07-17T20:13:22Z")
No mention of Mr. Peanut! The Planters company retrieved him and now he lives in Arkansas. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fluorescent-orange-saugus-saurus-has-risen-from-the-dead/791487/9 "2017-07-17T21:07:47Z")
Not sure Mr. Peanut counts since he was in bad shape and badly mislabeled (the sign of the Top Hat Lounge in Peabody, IIRC), and was just a smallish piece of plywood anyway.