Help Restore the Fairfield Arch for its 100th Anniversary and America 250

For a century, the Fairfield Arch has welcomed people into downtown and marked Fairfield as the county seat of Solano County. The Fairfield Lions Club is raising $100,000 to restore paint, lighting, and historic interpretation so this landmark lasts another 100 years.

Major donors ($10,000+) and corporate sponsors ($25,000+): Contact Nancy Meadows (Fairfield Host Lions Club) at nancy.meadows@mcnaughton.media

Where Your Donation Goes

The estimated restoration cost is about $100,000, which includes:

• Crane work to remove and reinstall the double-sided sign
• Disposal of old neon materials
• Cleaning and repainting by a local professional contractor
• New LED lighting, modern power supplies, and specialized electrical components
• Prevailing-wage labor
• Sales tax
• Note: Lane closure costs will be covered separately by the City.

Perspective: The original sign cost $1,000 in 1925, close to a full year of wages for an average worker at the time. Today’s cost reflects modern safety standards, equipment, lighting technology, and skilled labor required to restore a nearly 100-year-old landmark.

A 100-year Story Worth Keeping

In 1925, the Fairfield Lions Club set out to announce civic pride in a bold way. The club raised funds over nine months, starting with community efforts including a raffle for a donated washing machine. Even when the original poles proved too weak and heavier iron poles shipped from the East raised costs, the Lions Club moved forward.

On October 23, 1925, hundreds gathered for the lighting ceremony. Speeches opened the evening, a reading of Fairfield’s history followed, and music by Tony Lawrence’s Twin Cities Band carried late into the night as Fairfield and Suisun celebrated together beneath the glowing sign.

The arch endured through repeated threats and turning points. In 1961, a proposal to remove the arch sparked strong public opposition, and the plan ended quickly. In the 1980s, the sign received major refurbishment, including repainting after years of neglect. In 1985, the City of Fairfield purchased the sign for less than the Lions Club paid sixty years earlier, protecting a visible symbol of local identity. In the late 1980s, public support again helped preserve the arch during downtown renovation discussions.

Now, near its 100th year, the arch needs another community chapter.

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