The sign was soon to be preserved in The Museum of Idaho, but went missing from the highway prior to the donation.
BOISE, Idaho — For generations of Idahoans, the bright yellow and red roadside signs of Stinker Stations were familiar landmarks. Now, one of the last remaining examples has mysteriously disappeared just before it was to be preserved in a museum.
The double-sided billboards, featuring advertisements for Ferris Lind’s Stinker Stations on the front and witty sayings on the back, are tied to the Idaho-based chain of fuel centers and convenience stores that later expanded into Utah and Nevada, and so did the distinctive signs.
“They were created as part of a marketing campaign by Ferris Lind right after he returned from World War Two,” said Camille Thomas, a spokesperson for The Museum of Idaho. “He kind of created his brand and honed it in, in the ’50s and ’60s, and he lined highways with these awesome bright yellow and red signs.”
Between Wyoming and Oregon, Lind erected approximately 150 signs, according to the Stinker Station website. The signs became known for their quirky humor.
“It also just kind of gave a local charm to our region and gave tourists maybe something to point at and laugh at or take a photo with,” Thomas said. “They were really cool, really charming signs.”
About five years ago only two of the signs remained standing, according to a Rick Just article in 2020.
One of the remaining signs sat alongside on Highway 26 near Beachs Corner and Ririe, just five miles from Idaho Falls. It was slated for donation to the museum but mysteriously went missing in February before the donation.
It featured the message “Warning to tourists, do not laugh at the natives” on its reverse side.
“The property owner noticed it missing in late February of this year, 2025,” explained Thomas, “It had been there for years and years. I think it was dating back to the ’60s.”
The museum is currently preparing for its newest exhibit, “Signs of the Times,” which aims to showcase the region’s history through vintage signage. The collection includes pieces like the old Rigby Star newspaper sign, and a stoplight formerly used in downtown Idaho Falls.
“We are hoping it’ll evoke feelings of nostalgia within many of our locals,” said Thomas. “Each sign will be paired with a story of our region or background on the business.”
The Stinker Station sign would have been in the exhibit, representing more than just an advertisement but a piece of Idaho’s cultural heritage.
Despite the setback, the museum remains hopeful about recovering this piece of Idaho history before it’s too late.
“Just the fact that they (property owners) were willing to donate it to preserve the history means a lot,” said Thomas. “We’re both just really hoping to find it.”
The “Signs of the Times” exhibit is scheduled to open April 19.
The museum is asking if anyone knows details or the whereabouts of the sign, to contact them. They said no questions will be asked if it is dropped off.
