Do you remember the old giraffe and tiger sign at Grand Junction's Cafe Caravan? The moving neon caricatures rocked back and forth for decades at 1st and Main. Did you know they are still around?

Last week I published a post about a new live album recorded at a New Year's Eve performance at the Cafe Caravan back in 1972. The post featured a picture of the old sign. That photo wound up being shared across social media. Before long, someone chimed in, alerting us to the fact parts of the old sign still exist.

If you were around Grand Junction in the 60s, 70s, and early 80s, you probably listened to live music at the Jungle Bar at the Cafe Caravan. Check out the photo at the top. The giraffe's head would move up and down. The cat's head rocked back and forth. They did this 24 hours a day, every day, endlessly, for years. Eventually, the Cafe Caravan closed, and the two animals went away.

Forward to January 2020. After images of the old sign circulated via social media, local historian Priscilla Mangnall chimed in. Unbeknownst to me, the two animal components of the old sign are still lingering around the valley. As a matter of fact, Priscilla knew their exact location.

Cafe Caravan Grand Junction giraffe and cat
Photo courtesy Priscilla Mangnall
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It seems the giraffe and tiger are now decorations at a home in Fruita. Check out the photo above. As you can see, they've been well cared for. I think you'll agree, they make for excellent patio decorations.

Thank you, Priscilla Mangnall, for sharing this information. Some on Facebook agree - these are museum pieces. While I don't see the Museum of the West adding them to their collection any time soon, it is nice to know they still exist.

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