The CITGO Sign: Boston’s Beacon Over Kenmore Square
Discover the legacy, symbolism, and enduring status of Boston’s iconic CITGO sign shining over Kenmore Square.
Perched atop a recognizable rooftop at Kenmore Square, in full view of Fenway Park and the city’s skyline, the CITGO sign has become much more than a mere advertisement. For generations of Bostonians and visitors, it is a familiar guardian, a symbol of home runs and homecomings, and an effervescent participant in the city’s living history.
At a Glance
- Location: Kenmore Square, Boston, MA
- Year Erected: First sign in 1940 (as Cities Service); updated as CITGO in 1965
- Dimensions: Approximately 60 feet by 60 feet
- Status: Iconic landmark and pending Boston Landmark status
- Viewable From: Fenway Park, Charlesgate, Back Bay, much of Kenmore Square
History: From Cities Service to CITGO
The story of the CITGO sign begins in 1940, when a glowing green-and-white Cities Service sign was first installed above the oil company’s regional headquarters on Beacon Street in Kenmore Square. Boston’s skyline was already dotted with advertising billboards, but this sign stood apart for its prominent size and strategic location.
In 1965, following a rebranding effort, the sign was replaced by the modern version bearing the bright orange trimark logo and the singular word “CITGO.” Arthur King, leading a design team at Lippincott & Marguiles, was instrumental in shaping the sign’s iconic image.
Contrary to popular assumption, there never was an operating CITGO gas station beneath the sign—its presence is tied purely to the company’s Boston headquarters and not retail business on site.
The Physical Sign: Engineering and Presence
The sign’s giant illuminated face, measuring sixty feet on each side, makes it the largest of its kind in New England. The sign’s glowing presence is visible for miles, making it a navigational fixture and an ever-present backdrop to life in Kenmore Square and game days at Fenway Park.
- Materials: Aluminum panels on a steel frame
- Lighting: Once powered by neon, the sign was later upgraded to radiant LED fixtures for energy efficiency and color brilliance
- Maintenance: Extreme weather and time have led to multiple refurbishments, each met with concern and excitement from the public
Moments of Darkness: Energy Crisis and Near Demolition
With energy awareness sweeping the country during the oil crisis of the late 1970s, then-Governor Edward J. King ordered the sign’s power shut off in September 1979 as a symbolic gesture for conservation. Fenway Park regulars, city pedestrians, and drivers along Commonwealth Avenue missed the lively, pulsating lights. For nearly four years, Kenmore Square was notably dimmer.
In 1982, mounting maintenance costs led CITGO to contemplate dismantling the sign. Scaffolding and cranes assembled at the scene triggered a groundswell of public outcry. Neighborhood advocates and sentimental Bostonians petitioned for the sign’s preservation, an effort reflected in thousands of signatures sent to the city and the Boston Landmarks Commission.
Return and Revival: Relighting the Night
Public support won the day. On the night of August 10, 1983, more than a thousand people gathered to watch the CITGO sign blaze to life once again. Since that momentous evening, the sign has rarely been dark. Bostonians had made clear: the sign was more than advertisement, it was heritage.
Media outlets like Time, Life Magazine, and The New York Times began chronicling the sign’s cultural import, further bolstering its fame.
Cultural Icon: Red Sox, Rallies, and Representation
It is no mere coincidence that the phrase “See it go!” became synonymous with home runs at Fenway. The sign’s location just beyond left field assures that each soaring ball is watched by thousands in the ballpark—and the illuminated triangle in the night sky.
Valued by students, sports fans, and suburban returnees alike as a navigational symbol, the CITGO sign has also found its way into:
- Artwork and photography: A frequent subject in local and national art exhibitions
- Music and film: Featured in movies, pop songs, and music videos highlighting Boston
- Marathon route marker: An unofficial indicator of the marathon’s final mile, spurring runners onward
Preservation Efforts and Landmark Status
The prospect of demolition in the 1980s galvanized local historical, preservationist, and neighborhood groups. Decades later, threats to the sign’s presence persisted, especially with periodic sales of the building beneath it by Boston University. In July 2016, the Boston Landmarks Commission voted to seriously consider the sign for official landmark status—an unprecedented step as the commission generally designates buildings or landscapes, not commercial signage.
If granted the landmark designation, any future changes to the sign would require city approval, enshrining it alongside Boston icons such as Faneuil Hall and Boston Common.
Modern Upgrades: A Brighter, Greener Beacon
The new millennium has brought technical updates to the classic sign. In 2010, CITGO funded a sweeping makeover, installing eco-friendly LED lighting to replace the original neon tubes. Besides increasing the sign’s brilliance, this upgrade slashed energy consumption and added new possible effects for its distinctive nighttime glow.
Challenges and Controversies
Not all chapters in the sign’s story are celebrated. In 2006, political tensions with Venezuela (whose national oil company owns CITGO) prompted calls from a Boston city councillor to remove or cloak the sign, though these did not succeed.
Ownership and real estate changes in recent years have occasionally reignited concerns about the sign’s future, with local advocates continuing to campaign for its protection and public visibility.
Notable Facts Table
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| First Erected | 1940 (Cities Service); 1965 (modern CITGO version) |
| Dimensions | 60 feet x 60 feet |
| Main Materials | Aluminum panels, steel framework, LED lighting |
| Key Refurbishments | 1983 (relighting), 2010 (LED conversion) |
| Annual Energy Use (post LED) | Significantly reduced vs. former neon |
| Landmark Status | Pending study and public support as of 2016 |
| Visible From | Fenway Park, Back Bay, Charlesgate, much of Kenmore Square |
| Associated Nickname | “See it go!” (Fenway Park home runs) |
Visiting the Sign: What to Expect
While the CITGO sign itself is not directly accessible to the public (since it sits atop a private building), it serves as a luminous backdrop for thousands every day. The unmistakable red triangle and white block letters light up the night above Kenmore Square, best viewed from:
- Fenway Park’s upper stands during evening games
- The sidewalks and plazas of Kenmore Square, especially at night
- Nearby bridges and high viewpoints in the Back Bay area
- Commonwealth Avenue and along the Boston Marathon route
Boston’s subway system (MBTA) offers easy access via the Kenmore Green Line station, placing viewers mere steps from the sign’s ideal vantage points.
Fun Facts and Trivia About the CITGO Sign
- The sign has never advertised gasoline sales on site; it is a corporate symbol with a promotional, not retail, history.
- It has served as an inspiration and recurring theme for local artists—and can be found on postcards, t-shirts, and even college graduation memorabilia.
- A crowd of more than 1,000 attended its relighting ceremony in 1983, a testament to its emotional hold on the city.
- During the Boston Marathon, runners anticipate the sign’s appearance as a “You’re almost there!” moment before the final, grueling mile.
- The sign’s triangular logo has been called Boston’s version of Big Ben or even the Eiffel Tower—a rallying symbol for locals and a distinctive photo op for visitors.
- Despite proposed removals, landmark status remains a priority for those who see the sign as vital to the city’s urban identity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can visitors go up to the CITGO sign?
A: No, the CITGO sign sits atop a private building and is not open for public tours. The best views are from Kenmore Square, Fenway Park, and adjacent public spaces.
Q: Why is the CITGO sign so beloved in Boston?
A: It’s cherished for its unique visibility during sports events, its status as an urban navigational marker, and the nostalgia it evokes for generations of residents and students.
Q: Has the sign ever been taken down?
A: No, though it was threatened with removal in 1982 due to high costs. Public outcry kept it in place and led to its relighting in 1983.
Q: When is the CITGO sign lit?
A: The sign is typically illuminated at night and for special events. Following recent LED upgrades, its lighting schedule is highly reliable except during rare maintenance periods.
Q: Is the CITGO sign an official Boston landmark?
A: The sign is under review for landmark status. In 2016, preservation groups and the city government began the formal process, which is ongoing.
Q: What does CITGO stand for?
A: CITGO is derived from the word ‘Cities Service’ (its predecessor company) and “go”—reflecting both its corporate rebranding and the vehicular/energy focus of its business.
Legacy and the Sign’s Place in Boston’s Heart
The CITGO sign remains one of the most enduring and celebrated icons of Boston. What started as a corporate billboard has become a beloved touchstone for neighborhood memory, city identity, and shared experience. Its familiar shape and glow knit together daily commutes, ballpark memories, and marathon feats, shining as steadfastly over Kenmore Square as the city’s own history and future.
The hope and expectation of countless Bostonians is that the CITGO sign will continue to light the city’s night sky for decades, as an ever-present symbol of pride, tenacity, and homecoming.
