Golden Star Radio Neon Sign Project

— TERRIFIC NEWS —

GOLDEN STAR RADIO NEON SIGN

RESTORATION PROJECT IN PROGRESS!

ANONYMOUS CHRS DONOR

STEPS UP TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Please meet the Tong Family, who was broadcasting Cantonese to the Asian community in San Francisco’s Chinatown, before foreign language radio was accepted as a viable format. The Bay Area Radio Hall Of Fame inducted Tommy and May Chin Tong as pioneer broadcasters last year. We urge you to read the story, by Stan Bunger, about the Tong family and their efforts to keep the people of San Francisco’s Chinatown informed and entertained… by broadcasting in Cantonese. Something no one else was doing. And the Tongs did it successfully for 40 years, starting in 1939, from the basement of their appliance store in Chinatown.

READ THE GOLDEN STAR RADIO STORY HERE

Sadly, all that remains of this proud pioneering broadcasting station is the Golden Star Radio neon sign that hangs 3 floors up on the Tong’s building at the corner of Clay Street and Spofford Alley. It stopped working many years ago and is very rusted. And the most of the original paint has vanished. Most of the neon tubing is intact. In our enthusiasm for historical broadcasting preservation and recognizing the Tong Family’s efforts, CHRS is  adopting, sponsoring a public fundraising campaign and heading up a project to refurbish this iconic sign. We hope to have a plaque on 845 Clay St. recognizing the California Historical Radio Society for restoring the Golden Star Radio sign.Our goal is $65,000+ to restore this historic fixture, run in new AC and create a fund for operating and maintenance expenses for this unique part of the San Francisco skyline. After the restoration, CHRS will endeavor to have the sign designated as an official historical landmark.

Tremendous thanks to an anonymous CHRS angel who feels so strongly about our project… he has underwritten our efforts to the tune of $60,000!  The fund now stands at $61,000. We need your help. We need about $5,000 to $9,000 more to round out the donations going towards the new electrical service and operational and maintenance costs of our fund. You can be part of this historic project by generously donating to complete this important restoration.  

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Close Up Sign Examination By Jim Rizzo 

We have contracted with Jim Rizzo of Neon Works to perform the restoration. Jim has restored most of the famous neon signs in the Bay Area including most recently, the Castro theater’s outstanding marquee in San Francisco. A lot of work is required to bring this stunning fixture alive again. But it will be beautiful and become a very important piece of the renaissance of neon in Chinatown and the San Francisco Bay Area. We’re sure it will become a favorite stop on the Chinatown Neon Walking Tours.

SEE AN ARTICLE ABOUT JIM’S WORK

And look… Our sign is in this great book called San Francisco Neon:

CHECK IT OUT

We are on page 35:

  — GOLDEN STAR RADIO — — GOLDEN STAR RADIO —

NEON SIGN RESTORATION PROJECT

  ON TV!

CHRS has begun our restoration of the Golden Star Radio neon sign in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Dan Ashley, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor presents the story he produced featuring our Golden Star project. The story aired on ABC7 Monday. CHRS and the Tong family send a big Thank You to Dan for featuring this important project. Don’t worry… if you missed it… Just click on the link below to watch it on the CHRS YouTube channel.
  CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR GOLDEN STAR

RADIO SIGN PROJECT BY KGO-TV ABC7

  — GOLDEN STAR RADIO —

NEON SIGN RESTORATION PROJECT

IS COMPLETE! – COME CELEBRATE WITH US

FRIDAY  JULY 10TH

DURING THE CHINATOWN NIGHT MARKET

5pm – 9pm

What a great way to recognize the pioneering Tong Family who presented Cantonese radio programming to the Chinatown community for 50 years from 1939 to 1979.
  CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT GOLDEN STAR RADIO  Let’s Have A Party!

The City of San Francisco is planning to have a ceremony to officially light the sign. It will be held in conjunction with the July Chinatown Night Market. It takes place on Grant Ave., two short blocks from the sign at 846 Clay St. at Spofford Alley. The market runs from 5pm to 9pm. The lighting ceremony should occur about 8 or 8:30pm. Stay tuned for the exact time and more details.
City Supervisor of District 3, which includes Chinatown, Danny Sauter will be part of the lighting event. As will the people who fulfilled the CHRS vision of restoring this culturally iconic sign. Watch this space for more details as they become available. Everyone is invited to celebrate this gorgeous neon sign, that represented so much to the Asian community… with CHRS, The Tong Family, Neon Works with Jim Rizzo, Adam Taylor & Nate Macey & painter Manny Fabregas.Meanwhile, we can still use your help. Although our sign restoration project is underwritten, we are also raising funds for the operation, upkeep and maintenance of the sign upon completion. Don’t be left out! You can be part of this important historic project by making a donation to our Golden Star Radio sign operating fund.

   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE    

BEFORE                     &                    AFTER 
BEFORE                     &                    AFTER  

Golden Star Radio At Night In Chinatown  

   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE     

Our CHRS Restoration Project
At S.F. Chinatown’s 846 Clay St.
– As It Was From About 1940 – 2026 –

– As It Is Now, Tuesday Morning –
&
– Tuesday Night, June 2nd 2026 –

  CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR STORY 

   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE    

  CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR RESTORATION UPDATES   

— CHECK OUT GOLDEN STAR RADIO —

ON TV!

Dan Ashley, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor presents the story he produced featuring our Golden Star project. The story recently aired on ABC 7. 
  CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR GOLDEN STAR

RADIO SIGN PROJECT BY KGO-TV ABC7

Neon Guru Jim Rizzo Says To Project Manager Steve Kushman:
This Is All Your Fault!” Well… He’s Sort Of Correct. With Passion And Determination, A Vision Can Become Reality… With The Right Support.    

NEON SIGN RESTORATION PROJECT

IS COMPLETE! – THANK YOU!

BUT WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP

Our CHRS Restoration Project
At S.F. Chinatown’s 846 Clay St.
– As It Was From About 1940 – 2026 –

– As It Is Now, Tuesday Morning –
&
– Tuesday Night, June 2nd 2026 –

  CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR UPDATE AND STORY 

 

How We Found The Original Colors – Corrected

There was really no viable original paint showing and the paint that was left was very faded and washed out, and no color pictures of the sign in good condition could be found. But we were lucky.

After the original neon tubes were removed. There were many glass and metal devices that hold the glass away from the sign, called tube supports or stand-offs. When these were removed for working on the body of the sign… we found some very good examples of well protected original paint. Yes, we were lucky. Manny matched new colors to old, and our sign was reborn.
We Discovered Original Yellow

Original Red

And…  CORRECTION… Original White

 
See Close Up Detail Of New Neon Mounting Below

   Oh Boy! Looky Here!

BEFORE & AFTER!

After about 5 weeks of hard work, our project is complete! No rust, no dents, new paint, new transformers, new wiring and new neon tubes. Some of the 80 year old lights are still working fine!

BEFORE
&
AFTER 

BEFORE
&
AFTER 

Golden Star Radio At Night In Chinatown

   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE      CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR UPDATE AND STORY 

— GOLDEN STAR RADIO —

SIGN RESTORATION PROJECT

  IS ON TV!

Dan Ashley, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor presents the story he produced featuring our Golden Star project. The story recently aired on ABC 7. 
  CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR GOLDEN STAR

RADIO SIGN PROJECT BY KGO-TV ABC7

Neon Guru Jim Rizzo Says To Project Manager Steve Kushman:
This Is All Your Fault!” Well… He’s Sort Of Correct. With Passion And Determination, A Vision Can Become Reality… With The Right Support.    


CHRS Sky Terrier Now Adorns San Francisco’s Clay Street

   Oh Boy! Looky Here!

BEFORE & AFTER!

Project Almost Finished !

After about 5 weeks of hard work, our project is practically complete! No rust, no dents, new paint, new transformers, new wiring and new neon tubes. Some of the 80 year old lights are still working fine!

BEFORE

– – Sign Facing East – –

AFTER – With Neon Lit (Yesterday)

 

BEFORE

– – Sign Facing West – –

AFTER – With Neon Lit (Yesterday)

Our Very Talented And Happy Crew.
Jim Rizzo And Adam Taylor Of East Bay Neon
And Artist/Painter Manny Fabregas Take A Break
With Our Newly Restored Historical Neon Sign.
Great Work From Our Team Of Specialists!

Then There’s This Guy. Project Manager Steve Kushman With a Look
On His Face That Says,”Holy Cow… This Was Just A Crazy Idea.
We Are Incredibly Lucky And Fortunate, To Have Passionate
Supporters, Who Believe As We Do, That It Is Really Important To
Honor Broadcasting Pioneers, Tommy And May Chin Tong.
This Makes This Guy Smile And Very Happy” 🙂

Night Patrol In Chinatown Last Night

Can’t Wait To See It With The Scaffolding Down…Next Week.
For Now The Sign Remains Lit 24/7 For Testing

It’s Amazing To See How Great Our 80 Year Old Neon Looks Lit Up! 

These Lights Are Like Radio Vacuum Tubes… Ageless!

This Rust Will Soon Be A Thing Of The Past   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE      CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR UPDATE AND STORY 

Recently a CHRS banner was installed on our project scaffolding. It explains what’s going on 3 stories above

and features images of Tommy and May Chin Tong. Designed and produced by Rachel Lee and Arielle Crenshaw. Thank you!
It looks swell!
The Neon Arrives 

 And Up It Goes 

Jim Attaches The Glass Supports
That Will Hold The Neon Tubing

New “Golden Star” Cantonese Characters In Place

Ready To Mount “Gol” Neon Set

Jim & Adam Attach the “St”
See Close Up Detail Of Neon Mounting Below

At Neon Works In Oakland 

 Adam Taylor With The Golden Star Neon Lights
Some 80 Years Old Some Brand New 

80 Year Old Original Cantonese Characters Above
And New Adam Built Characters Below
Hard To Tell The Difference  

Heating And Bending The Delicate Glass Tubing
Is An Art Masterfully Demonstrated By Adam

And Back In Chinatown

Manny Continues Base Painting

 Transfering  Character Pattern Above
Ready To Paint Pattern Below 

Our Painter Manny Has A Very Steady Hand 

 This Afternoon – Painting Almost Complete
Neon Re-installed Next Week 

The restoration process includes, de-rusting, painting, adding and repairing broken & missing neon tubes & transformers, and running new AC power to the sign. The crew includes CHRS Project Manager, Steve Kushman, neon expert Jim Rizzo and historical sign painter Manny Fabregas. All is going very well. Click the link above for the Tong Family and Golden Star Radio story. And stay tuned to “Listening In” for project updates.

It’s Amazing To See How Great Our 85 Year Old Neon Looks Lit Up! 

These Lights Are Like Radio Vacuum Tubes… Ageless!

This Rust Will Soon Be A Thing Of The Past   WE AL$O NEED YOUR HELP!…    Although our sign restoration project is funded, we are also raising funds for the operation, upkeep and maintenance of the sign upon completion. Don’t be left out! You can be part of this important historic project by making a donation to our restoration operating fund.   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE      CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR UPDATE AND STORY CHRS has begun our restoration project on the Golden Star Radio neon sign in San Francisco’s Chinatown. On Monday, 3 stories of scaffolding was erected at 846 Clay St. for working access to the sign.
CHRS Sky Terrier Now Adorns San Francisco’s Clay Street
Yesterday a CHRS banner was installed on our project scaffolding. It explains what’s going on 3 stories above and features images of Tommy and May Chin Tong. Designed and produced by Rachel Lee and Maria Piper.
Thank you! It looks swell!

The Big Picture Of Our Third Story Project
See The Golden Star Sign Peeking Through

Manny Almost Finished Priming

Jim Removes Last Of Original Neon

Here Is One Of Our Five New Transformers

Back At The Shop
Jim & Manny Marry The Painting Templates
With The Neon Templates

Hot Neon Being Shaped Causes Burns On Template

Lettering Bases Painted White And Colors Being Matched

Today’s Good Work By Manny And Friend

It’s Amazing To See How Great Our 85 Year Old Neon Looks Lit Up! 

These Lights Are Like Radio Vacuum Tubes… Ageless!

The restoration process includes, de-rusting, painting, adding and repairing broken & missing neon tubes & transformers, and running new AC power to the sign. The crew includes CHRS Project Manager, Steve Kushman, neon expert Jim Rizzo and historical sign painter Manny Fabregas. All is going very well. Click the link above for the Tong Family and Golden Star Radio story. And stay tuned to “Listening In” for project updates.
This Rust Will Soon Be A Thing Of The Past   WE AL$O NEED YOUR HELP!…    Although our sign restoration project is funded, we are also raising funds for the operation, upkeep and maintenance of the sign upon completion. Don’t be left out! You can be part of this important historic project by making a donation to our restoration operating fund.   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE      CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR UPDATE AND STORY 

— GOLDEN STAR RADIO —

SIGN RESTORATION PROJECT

  ON TV!

Dan Ashley, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor presents the story he produced featuring our Golden Star project. The story recently aired on ABC7. CHRS and the Tong family send a big Thank You to Dan for featuring this important project. Don’t worry… if you missed it… Just click on the link below to watch it on the CHRS YouTube channel.
  CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR GOLDEN STAR

RADIO SIGN PROJECT BY KGO-TV ABC7

Then the process begins, to de-rust, paint, add and repair broken and missing neon tubes and running new AC power to the sign. About six weeks ought to do it. CHRS Project Manager, Steve Kushman, checks in with our neon expert Jim Rizzo and historical sign painter Manny Fabregas on the 3rd story sign top. All is going very well. Click the link below for the Tong Family and Golden Star Radio story. And stay tuned to “Listening In” for project updates.  CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR UPDATE AND STORY 
Neon Works Jim Rizzo & Nate Macey
Remove Old Neon Tubes

         Painter Manny Fabregas At Work         Project Manager Steve Checks In 

   Golden Star Radio Sign Project

Coming To TV Channel 7

Stay Tuned

   WE NEED YOUR HELP!…    The one thing we absolutely need to recreate this sign authentically, is a color photograph, or, one frame from a color film of this historic sign. We want to get the colors correct and as close to the original as possible. The problem is that after searching the internet for many hours… all we can find are pictures from after the sign went out of service. And has become very rusty and has almost no original paint left… and it’s very faded.
Jim Rizzo On The Third Story Balcony Up Close & Personal With The Sign
So, we are hoping that one or more of our readers, possibly San Francisco natives, have stuffed away in a drawer, some color photos or a color 8mm film of vintage Chinatown that shows the sign in its heyday. What a tremendous help this would be. If you can help, please CLICK HERE to contact the Project Manager. Thank You!   WE AL$O NEED YOUR HELP!…    Although our sign restoration project is funded, we are also raising funds for the operation, upkeep and maintenance of the sign upon completion. Don’t be left out! You can be part of this important historic project by making a donation to our restoration operating fund.   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE      CLICK HERE FOR GOLDEN STAR UPDATE AND STORY 

 
Jim & Nate Prepare The Vintage Glass Tubes
For Travel To The Neon Works Shop In Oakland

At Neon Works, Jim Rizzo & Adam Taylor 
Examine Original Working Golden Star Neon Tubes

It’s Amazing To See How Great Our 85 Year Old Neon Looks Lit Up! 

These Lights Are Like Radio Vacuum Tubes… Ageless!

Painter Manny Fabregas Says Hi 
   WE NEED YOUR HELP!…    The one thing we absolutely need to recreate this sign authentically, is a color photograph, or, one frame from a color film of this historic sign. We want to get the colors correct and as close to the original as possible. The problem is that after searching the internet for many hours… all we can find are pictures from after the sign went out of service. And has become very rusty and has almost no original paint left… and it’s very faded. 
This Rust Will Soon Be A Thing Of The Past
So, we are hoping that one or more of our readers, possibly San Francisco natives, have stuffed away in a drawer, some color photos or a color 8mm film of vintage Chinatown that shows the sign in its heyday. What a tremendous help this would be. If you can help, please CLICK HERE to contact the Project Manager. Thank You!   WE AL$O NEED YOUR HELP!…    Although our sign restoration project is funded, we are also raising funds for the operation, upkeep and maintenance of the sign upon completion. Don’t be left out! You can be part of this important historic project by making a donation to our restoration operating fund.   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE