BALTIMORE CITY, Md. — The iconic Domino Sugar sign has illuminated Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for an impressive 75 years, establishing itself as one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. The refinery located beneath it has been a significant part of Baltimore’s culture for even longer.
“Seeing the sign makes you feel right at home. It’s like a warm welcome; you know you’re in Baltimore,” shared Bryanna Goncalves.
Colin Vogel, a South Baltimore native, articulates an even deeper connection.
Domino Sugars sign celebrates 75 years lighting up Baltimore’s Inner Harbor
Domino Sugars sign marks 75 years as a Baltimore landmark
“It truly serves as a beacon for the city and a symbol of hope,” Vogel remarked.
Peter O’Malley, Vice President of Corporate Relations for ASR Group, which oversees the refinery’s operations, highlighted the significance of the sign for both locals and visitors.
Taylor Epps
“It’s Baltimore’s welcome sign and night light, something incredibly familiar to both residents and travelers,” O’Malley stated.
The Domino Sugar refinery has been operational at Locust Point since 1922, while the famous sign, crafted by Artkraft Strauss—known for its iconic work in Times Square—was erected nearly three decades later.
“Original architectural designs for the refinery included plans for a sign, but it wasn’t until 29 years later that the current one was installed,” O’Malley explained. “This sign consists of 650 neon tubes and has remained in relatively good condition for about 70 years.”
The sign has only gone dark on two occasions: once during the energy crisis of the 1970s and once in 2021, when the neon tubes were replaced by LEDs. O’Malley noted that this was the only alteration made to the sign’s structure.
“We ensured that the architecture of the original sign was perfectly matched,” O’Malley emphasized. “What distinguishes this sign is its longstanding presence in a city that is continually evolving.”
Throughout the years, numerous businesses have opened and closed nearby, but for over a century, the refinery has consistently imported raw sugar from around the globe, refining and packaging it for retailers located right in Baltimore.
“The scent of sugar was intoxicating. I’d head up to the roof just to soak it all in, especially during the deliveries of brown sugar and molasses,” the Vogels reminisced. “It’s astounding the effort that goes into producing just a single packet.”
O’Malley confirmed that the operation continues to play a vital role in Baltimore’s economy.
Kristi Harper
“This facility is a robust employment hub, producing about 6 million pounds of sugar each day and providing jobs for 600 people at competitive wages—all beneath that sign,” O’Malley mentioned.
To commemorate its 75th anniversary, Domino Sugar has launched an online quiz to test the public’s knowledge of this Baltimore landmark; many of the answers can be found in this piece (apologies for the spoiler!). Did you know that the O’s on the sign stand at 20 feet tall, and that they are the only letters left illuminated during the Orioles’ playoff games?
“Every year serves to celebrate this vital manufacturing site in Baltimore and the lively spirit of the Port of Baltimore; this is our annual tradition,” O’Malley stated.
Looking ahead to July, they plan to honor America’s 250th anniversary with special packaging.
“In addition to our classic blue and yellow Domino bag, we will introduce red, white, and blue designs representing our nation,” O’Malley noted. “I truly believe that Domino Sugar is an integral part of the American narrative.”
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