Wall Township, New Jersey: Circus Drive-In (Gone)

Jersey Shore circus-themed restaurant had a big top-style building, first opened in May 1954. Drive-in bulldozed in 2018; remains of the clown sign moved to Camp Evans in August 2021.

You mentioned that the Circus Drive-In sign was stored in an undisclosed area. I found it! It's behind the army tanks at Info Age in Wall, New Jersey.

The Circus Drive-In is now completely gone, including the sign. Although the developers of the site said that the sign was donated to the town and will be preserved "elsewhere," the town has not indicated where.

Fans of mid-20th century signs, architecture and clowns were horrified when videos posted on Wednesday, May 9th showed the rapid demolition of the Circus Drive-In. A Jersey shore landmark since 1954, the property had been sold to developers in 2017. Though its preservation as a quaint, circus-themed eatery seemed unlikely along prime highway strip mall frontage, the knockdown came as a shock.

Hours later, photos showed the sign still standing, and regional clown news outlets reported the iconic sign had been taken away. We hope it wasn't to the local landfill. A glance at our old pics of the sign's overlay of delicate neon on both sides suggests it would have been tricky to take down without damage....

The whole place made me giggle. Let's start with the Circus Drive-In sign, which I find fabulous and spooky at the same time. We went this summer to this circus-themed Jersey shore institution. They've got casual food and car hop service, though we sat in the open air big top with its wacky, kitschy lights and chairs. They also have a clown that performs weekly named Macaroni Anne Cheeze.

See -- I'm giggling again!