My fascination with these ‘ghost signs’ started with an old Mail Pouch chewing tobacco sign painted on a barn. A perfect example of an old art form. Every time I drove to visit my parents I passed through Layton, New Jersey (water gap) and it was right there.
The sign was there so long years later they changed the name of the town, now Peters Valley, and it was still on the road.
Many ghost signs from the 1890s to 1960s are still visible, they were most commonly used in the decades before the Great Depression.
Ghost signs were originally painted with oil-based house paints. The painters of the signs were called “wall dogs”. Some signs remain because that old paint also had lead and it strongly adhered to the masonry surface.
These photographs were taken in and around Ashville, North Carolina. Philadelphia, PA , Detroit, MI, and Richmond, Virginia are places with known pockets of these signs.
You’ve got some nice examples here. I like them too. I noticed one the other day but unfortunately a wooden sign had been tacked to the brick obscuring most of it.
Just something about signs, especially the old ghost ones.
I see these often, but didn’t know they had a name. Interesting facts.
I know of very few in Charleston. I do look for them though. I think even many years ago, due to the wealth and history, it would be frowned upon.
Love these Ted.
Thanks. I do love some of the old signs. My true ‘first love’ was the Silvercup Bread sign by the 59th street bridge. I can smell the bread baking at night just by thinking of it 😂😂😂. My old neighborhood as a kid. I know they have redone the sign many times over, not the same I’m sure 😁😁😁.
Still there, though now a TV studio.
Now all they need is to pump out that old white bread smell 😄😄. Queens Plaza, where I went to get my draft card… little did I know 😳😳