The long-lasting cactus landmark An iconic landmark along Route 1, this prickly, neon and - not to mention giant - cactus sign once overlooked Hilltop Steakhouse Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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TE ROUTE ONE IS AMONG THE FAMOUS STRETCHES OF ROADWAY AND NO-LOAD MARK IS THAT THE RECOGNIZABLE AS THE BIG, GREEN, NEON CACTUS. IT IS ALSO STILL HERE, UNLIKE HITOP STEAKHOUSE THAT PRESIDED FOR DECADES UNTIL IT CLOSED. TODAY IT PRESIDES OVER A SPRAWLING MIXED RETAIL AND APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT. >> OF COURSE, THE ONE ITEM THAT REMAINED, THE CACTUS SIGN. THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD KEEP THE SIGN. TED: WHEN YOU WERE WORKING ON THE SIGNS, HOW MANY PASSERBY CAME IN HERE AND SAID, YOU GUYS ARE NOT TAKING THE SIGN DOWN? >> PEOPLE CALLED THE POLICE ON US THINKING THAT WE WERE TAKING DOWN THE SIGN. WE ARE MAKING IT BETTER. TED: THE DESIGN AND SIGNAGE HAVE BEEN UPDATED. >> THERE IS NO TEXTBOOK FOR RESTORING A NEON CACTUS THAT WAS BUILT IN 1967. TED: IT WAS TO WORK ON A RELIC OF SIGN HISTORY. >> THEY METICULOUSLY RESTORED THIS THING. ALL THE ACRYLIC PANELS. TED: THE SIGN ALSO PRESIDED OVER AN EQUALLY A MISS SMALL HERD OF PLASTIC COWS. WE CAN REPORT THAT ONE ENDED UP ALONE AND THREE OTHERS ARE STILL GRAZING ONLY SEVEN MILES FROM THEIR FORMER HOME. >> THEY WERE HERE FOR SO LONG AND WE ARE SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO CAN YOU -- TO CONTINUE ON THE TRADITION. TED: IF THEY LOOK REALLY GOOD FOR ALMOST 60, THEY HAVE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF WORK DONE. >> THEY HAVE BEEN HERE EVER SINCE. TED: PRESERVED, RESTORED AND LIVING ON. THAT GOES FOR YOU TOO, ROUTE ONE ORANGE DINOSAUR. SHAYNA: BETWEEN THE ORANGE DINOSAUR AND THE HILLTOP CACTUS SIGN, ROUTE ONE IN SAUGUS REMAINS A FASCINATING STRETCH OF REAL AMERICANA. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE, A WEEK FROM TONIGHT, OCTOBER 16, WE’LL HAVE A WHOLE CHRONICLE SHOW ON ROUTE ONE TODAY WITH PLENTY OF SENTIMENTAL ECHOES OF THE PAST. THAT’S CHRONICLE FOR TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US

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