Goodnight's new sign turns heads
A bold new beacon now lights up Highway 6 in Albany, as the Goodnight Steakhouse & Saloon unveiled a striking LED neon sign that has instantly become a local landmark.
The project began with the creative mind of owner Jason Harlow, who envisioned a sign that would reflect both Texas heritage and roadside appeal.
The LED neon sign features the glowing profile of Charles Goodnight, the legendary cattleman whose name adorns the steakhouse. The concept was developed entirely by Harlow, who said he wanted something that would stop traffic, catch attention, and connect the restaurant to the larger-than-life legacy of its namesake.
“Las Vegas,” Harlow said with a laugh, when asked what sparked the inspiration. “I had real dreams to have Charles Goodnight’s head nodding back and forth at night, but thought that was too much Vegas.”
To bring the vision to life, Harlow turned to Brooke Hortenstine and her team at Ashlar Projects, the same group behind the design of the Hereford Motel sign.
“It all begins in Jason Harlow’s creative mind,” Hortenstine said. “He comes up with these ideas, and then it is up to us to figure it out, execute them, and install them.”
Once the project was underway, Hortenstine’s design team dove into research, studying historical photographs of Goodnight to get the details right. From his distinct hat and beard to the shape of his cheekbones, every feature was chosen to ensure the sign felt authentic and recognizable.
“He was a very distinguished-looking gentleman,” Hortenstine said. “We definitely wanted that to come across in the signage, and specifically in neon.”
One of the unique touches is the green arrow on the sign, which lights up with motion thanks to a sequence of blinking bulbs.
“We added in the blinking to create a sense of movement,” Hortenstine explained. “We call them chasing lights.”
As the finishing touches went up, the sign began doing exactly what Harlow and his team had hoped—turning heads. According to Brook Hatchett, managing partner of Goodnight Steakhouse, the community’s response has been immediate.
“We have already seen people stopping for selfies with the sign, and that is exactly what we hoped for,” Hatchett said. “It is a welcome sign. It tells folks they are in the right place for a great steak, a cold drink, and a little piece of Texas history.”
Hatchett said the sign is meant to be more than just eye-catching. It reflects the bold, Western character of the steakhouse and honors the spirit of Charles Goodnight in a fun and memorable way.
“Charles Goodnight is more than just a name on our building—he’s a symbol of Texas grit and hospitality,” she said. “The neon profile was designed to bring that legacy to life in a way that’s visible, fun, and a little larger than life—just like he was.”
