The Parkette Drive-In, Lexington — Carol M. Highsmith

Carol M. Highsmith captures the towering neon sign of The Parkette, a classic 1950s-era drive-in restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky. Its bold red, green, yellow, and cream signage rises against a brilliant blue summer sky, preserving the distinctive visual character of American roadside dining.

Opened in 1951, The Parkette embodies the traditional drive-in experience with its dramatic neon sign, carports, order-placing call boxes, and curbside carhop service. Highsmith’s photograph transforms this nostalgic commercial landmark into a colorful portrait of American roadside culture and mid-century drive-in history.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Carol M. Highsmith
• Title: The Parkette, a nostalgic, 1950s-era drive-in restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky
• Original title: The Parkette, a nostalgic, 1950s-era drive-in restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky
• Series: Carol M. Highsmith's America Project
• Date: July 6, 2020
• Period: Contemporary American documentary photography
• Place of Origin: Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, United States
• Medium: Digital color photograph, TIFF

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.