NEW IBERIA - The well-known Evangeline Sign at the Sliman Theater is back after being revitalized.
In January, the sign was removed and shipped off for restoration.
Ten communities across the state each received a $10,000 grant in November through the Louisiana Main Street Program to revitalize historic buildings. That included the Sliman Theater.
The sign is an iconic part of downtown New Iberia and was part of the original building from the 1930s. It was made of porcelain and one of the first examples of a neon sign in Louisiana.
The Evangeline sign was placed on the National Register for Historic Properties on February 18, 1999.
It was taken to a shop in Bunkie, where every bulb and wire was changed, restoring it to its former glory and making it easier to maintain.
"In time, it sort of lost its ability with respect to incandescent technology and the light bulbs kept burning out," said Paul Allain, Project Architect for the restoration of the Evangeline Sign. "But Gibko sign company out of Bunkie, Louisiana, stepped in and made some suggestions on some 21st Century technology. So the sign got LED, long-life energy efficient bulbs, and restored the sign in a magnificent fashion."
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Iconic piece of New Iberia Main Street being restored to original glory
