This blogpost is a little adventure through the sights and sounds of America’s roadside culture to depict how the Atomic Age has impacted it since 1945. A whole variety of businesses have adopted the term “atomic” or some variation thereof into their identity through branding, marketing, trademark, and advertising. Even as we progress through the 21st century, the term “atomic” remains a popular option when creating business names. This may also be in part due to the popularity of mid-century modern motifs in society these days – the motel sign logo below looks like it belongs in the 1950s, but the name and brand for this particular location were actually established in 2016.
Source: astoriamotel.com
It is interesting to note that the term”nuclear” does not generate the same kind of commercial use that the term “atomic” does. Apparently, “atomic” doesn’t have the same negative connotations that come across with “nuclear.” While it was not surprising to find “atomic” places in communities that play(ed) a part in the development of the atomic bomb, like Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Richland, and even the Las Vegas area; the number of such locations elsewhere demonstrates the power (no pun intended) the term generates for brand identity.
Source: theatomicburger.com
There are certainly many other examples that are not included in the following list. Please feel free to forward them. Of particular interest are those that operated during the early stages of the Atomic Age from 1945-1970, which may no longer be in business, especially if photos are available of the business entity or organization.
Source: roadsideamerica.com
- Atom Brewing Company is located in Erie, Colorado:
Source: atombrewing.com
- Atomic Age Lodge was once located in Anaheim, California: GONE
Source: maidennoir.com
- Atomic Ale Brewpub & Eatery is located in an original “Atomic City” – Richland, Washington:
Source: atomicalebrewpub.com
- Atomic Annies are large mobile cannons that could fire atomic shells from great distances. A number of these remain and are on display in locations around the country, including:
Atomic Annie at Fort Sill, OK – Source: flickr.com
- Aberdeen, Maryland
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Lawton (Fort Sill), Oklahoma
- Junction City (Fort Riley), Kansas
- Rock Island, Illinois
- Watervliet, New York
- Yuma, Arizona
- The Atomic Arcade was once located in Salt Lake City (Millcreek), Utah: NOW CLOSED
Source: facebook.com
- Atomic Bar was once located in El Paso, Texas: GONE
Source: pinterest.com
- The Atomic Bar & Lounge (2016-present) is located in Birmingham, Alabama:
Source: theatomiclounge.com
- Atomic Barber Company is located in Orlando (Winter Park), Florida:
Source: atomicbarber.co
- Atomic Barbershop & Salon is located in Buffalo (Tonawanda), New York:
Source: vagaro.com
- Atomic Beauty & Barber Lounge is located in Jacksonville (Orange Park), Florida:
Source: facebook.com
- Atomic Burger (2012-present) is located in Baton Rouge and Metarie, Louisiana:
Source: theatomicburger.com
- Atomic Candy is located in Denton, Texas:
Source: waymarking.com
- Atomic City, Idaho was renamed this from Midway in 1950 and was home to 29 people in 2010:
Source: newsbreak.com
- Atomic City Transit is located in an original “Atomic City” – Los Alamos, New Mexico:
Source: ladailypost.com
- Atomic Coffee Bars are located in the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois:
Source: atomiccoffeebar.com
- Atomic Creamery is located in Newport Beach, California:
Source: fashionisland.com
- Atomic Dining Room & Drive-in (1952-?) was once located in Augusta, Georgia: GONE
Source: pinterest.com
- Atomic Dogs is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:
Source: facebook.com
- Atomic Dogs food truck is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico:
Source: facebook.com
- Atomic Donut & Biscuit Bakery is located in Daytona Beach, Florida:
Source: facebook.com
- Atomic Drive-in (1952-1953) was once located in San Angelo, Texas: GONE
Aerial image of what was the location of the Atomic Drive-in in San Angelo, TX – Source: cinema treasures.org
- Atomic Drive-in (1953-1988) was once located in Waverly, Ohio: GONE
Source Ross County Historical Society via cinematreasures.com
- Atomic Foods is located in Pasco, Washington:
Source: kitchenkwento.com/2010/07/day-1-a-is-for-atomic-foods.html
- Atomic Furnishing & Design is located in Asheville, North Carolina:
Source: atomic furnishings.com
- Atomic Ice Cream is located in Portland, Oregon (see also Atomic Pizza):
Source: atomicpizza.com
- Atomic Inn (1980-present) is located in Death Valley, California:
Source: tripadvisor.com
- Atomic Liquors (1952-present) is located in Las Vegas, Nevada:
Source: lasvegassun.com
- Atomic Motel (1962 -present) this motel (formerly the Lamplighter) was renamed as the Atomic Motel in 2016 and is located in Astoria, Oregon:
Handsome looking Atomic Motel – Source: booking.com
- Atomic Motel is located in Moab, Utah, but is now part of Kokopelli Lodgings:
Former neon sign for the motel – Source: sciencesource.com
- Atomic Motors is located in Las Vegas (Henderson), Nevada:
Source: oldcar.com
- Atomic Pizza is located in Portland, Oregon (also owns Atomic Ice Cream):
Of course a mushroom logo for an atomic business – Source: facebook.com
- Atomic Pizza Pub is located in Cresco, Iowa:
Source: traveliowa.com
- Atomic Plumbing & Drain Cleaning (1968-present) is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia:
Source: atomicplumbing.com
- Atomic Speed Shop is located in an original “Atomic City” – Oak Ridge, Tennessee:
Source: atomicspeedshop.com
- Atomic Style Lounge is located in Las Vegas, Nevada:
Source: atomicstylelounge.com
- Atomic Toilet Sewage Treatment System (1970-present) though no longer operating) is located in Melbourne, Florida:
Source: adastra.fit.edu/blog/campus/secret-history/rising-star-the-atomic-toilet-1970/
- Atomic Trampoline Fun Center is located near Washington, DC in Leesburg, Virginia:
Source: atomictrampoline.com
- Atomic Transmissions (1947-present) is located in Chicago (Villa Park), Illinois:
Source: atomictransmission.com
- Atomic Tunnel (1950s) was once located in Daytona Beach (Port Orange), Florida – see brochure near top of the post. GONE
- Atomic Wax record store is located in El Paso, Texas:
Source: facebook.com
- Bob’s Atomic Burgers is located in Denver (Golden), Colorado:
Source: kickstarter.com
Bob’s Atomic Burgers – Source: tripadvisor.com
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