Domino Sugar sign relit after trespassing incident at Locust Point refinery
The 70-by-120-foot landmark was dark for two nights after a man was found on the fence of the working industrial site.
By Nia Foster ·
70 feet by 120 feet is the size of the red neon landmark that has glowed over Baltimore Harbor since 1951. That structure went dark for parts of two nights this week following a trespassing incident at the American Sugar Refining plant in Locust Point. The company switched the lights back on Wednesday night, ending a rare absence from the city skyline.
The incident began when a man allegedly climbed the fence to film a TikTok video. Company spokesperson Peter O'Malley told the Baltimore Sun that the sign was dark for part of Monday, Nov. 9, and fully dark Tuesday night. O'Malley stated the lights would return Wednesday night. The company did not publicly explain why turning off the lights was part of its response to the trespassers.
Police responded to the refinery around 8:30 p.m. on Monday for a trespassing report. A police spokesperson told the Sun that security personnel found a 23-year-old man stuck on a fence while he attempted to leave the property. Police have not identified the man, and it is unclear if he has been charged.
Under Maryland Criminal Law Section 6-402, entering or crossing posted private property is a misdemeanor. A first violation carries a penalty of up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. Penalties increase for repeat violations within two years. This is the general rule and does not confirm the specific charges in this case.
The Domino Sugar sign is one of the rarest outages in its history. Before this week, the lights had gone out for long stretches only twice. The first time was during the energy crisis of the 1970s. The second was in 2021, when the original neon was replaced with LEDs, according to WMAR-2 News.
The sign was designed by Artkraft Strauss, the firm known for Times Square signage. It originally used 650 neon tubes. The 2021 conversion to LED technology was designed to keep the original look. Officials said the new system saves about 33,000 kilowatt-hours a year. Each O in the sign is 20 feet tall.
The refinery beneath the sign is a working industrial site operated by ASR Group. It produces about 6 million pounds of sugar a day and employs about 600 people. The site is not open for walk-in visits. The sign is visible from public spaces across the water, including the Inner Harbor promenade, Federal Hill Park, and Locust Point streets.
Peter O'Malley told WMAR-2 News in May 2026 that the sign is special because it has always been there. He described it as a constant in a city that is always changing. The sign marked its 75th anniversary this year. It also serves as a civic scoreboard for the Baltimore Orioles, who missed the playoffs again this fall.
The company has not said if it is adding security at the site. Police have not released further details about the Monday incident. The sign remains lit as of Wednesday night.
