Historic Gormley Funeral Home Sign Will Be Relocated
The neon sign will debut at its new Land Park location on October 15 following extensive restoration work.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The historic W.F. Gormley & Sons neon sign will be installed at 2691 Riverside Blvd on October 15. The funeral home business is relocating to the Land Park neighborhood after operating from Capitol Avenue since the 1920s.
Why it matters
The relocation allows the business to preserve its iconic neon branding while moving to a new facility. The move follows the sign's recent restoration to ensure the structure remains a fixture in the community.
The neon sign measures 9.5 feet wide and 5 feet high, supported by 10-foot poles. Technicians restored the unit by heating damaged glass tubes to 400-500 degrees to insert new argon gas.
The players
W.F. Gormley & Sons
This is a long-standing funeral home business that has operated in Sacramento since the 1920s.
Sacramento Preservation Commission
The commission is a municipal body responsible for managing and protecting historic sites and landmarks within the city.
Pacific Neon
This is a local signage company that specialized in the removal and technical restoration of the historic funeral home sign.
The details
Workers from Pacific Neon removed the sign on August 18 and transported it 5 miles for repairs. The restoration process involved installing fresh primary wiring and new paint to protect the display for an estimated 20 years.
Timeline
1920s: W.F. Gormley & Sons began operating at Capitol Avenue.
1982: The Capitol Avenue site was added to the historic register.
August 18: Pacific Neon workers removed the sign.
October 15: The sign will be installed at the new location.
October 21: Sacramento Preservation Commission holds sign registration hearing.
Market Landscape
This move follows a pattern set by the 1982 historic register designation of the Capitol Avenue site, as the owners seek similar official recognition for their new property. The relocation reflects a broader trend of local businesses prioritizing the preservation of heritage assets during expansion.
Residents can visit the new Land Park facility during an open house scheduled for October 25. The move ensures the business continues to provide services at its new site on Riverside Boulevard.
The takeaway
Preserving vintage signage can maintain local neighborhood character even when established businesses move to modern facilities. Business owners should document the restoration process to assist in securing municipal historic designations for relocated landmarks.
What happens next
The Sacramento Preservation Commission will hold a registration hearing on October 21 to evaluate the historic status of the sign at its new location.
Further reading
For more updates on local business moves, visit Sacramento Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sacramento Bee.
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