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Ghost Signs

Updated on September 14, 2014

Ghost Signs Across the United States

Ghost signs are those old painted signs on the sides of brick buildings that are faded and sometimes hard to see. These nostalgic old signs are now just a ghost of their previous life.

These old advertising signs are also sometimes called "wall dogs." Unlike billboards or standalone signs, these signs were painted directly onto the buildings.

Ghost signs can take up part or all of the side of a building and were usually advertising signs for a product or a business when they were originally painted on the building. Most ghost signs are found on brick buildings.

These signs are recognized today for their artistic significance and beauty. Many people work to preserve these ghost signs on buildings to keep part of a bygone era alive.

Image Source: Ghost sign, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Source: Bill Whittaker, Apr 2008

Hotel ghost sign on brick building in Springfield, Illinois.
Hotel ghost sign on brick building in Springfield, Illinois.

My Introduction to Ghost Signs

When I lived in Springfield, Illinois, I found out about the walking tours of architecture around town. An architecture designer organized and moderated these walking tours. It was interesting to see the buildings I drove by every day through the eyes of an architect.

Each year, Downtown Springfield sponsored a free architectural walking tour that was held once a month from May to October. We met at a designated spot and started from there. We walked several blocks during each tour looking at architecture from as early as the late-1800s and as recent as the 1950s.

On each tour, if a building we passed on our scheduled tour had an old painted advertising sign on the brick facade, the architect stopped and pointed it out. This is where I first heard the term "ghost signs." I'd seen these signs but didn't know what they were called.

Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood

Ghost Signs Captured in Books - Read About and Check Out Photos of Ghost Signs

More Books about Ghost Signs - With Photos, Of Course

Ghost Signs in Maryland and Beyond - Thanks, Lori!

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Ghost sign in Frederick, Maryland. Photo Credit:  Lori Burdoo Visit her Squidoo profile:  http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/gottaloveitGhost sign in Georgetown, Maryland. Photo Credit:  Lori BurdooGhost sign in Philadelphia. Photo Credit:  Lori BurdooSavannah, Georgia ghost sign. Photo Credit:  Lori BurdooGhost sign on freestanding sign, Berkeley Spring, West Virginia. Photo Credit:  Lori Burdoo
Ghost sign in Frederick, Maryland. Photo Credit:  Lori Burdoo Visit her Squidoo profile:  http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/gottaloveit
Ghost sign in Frederick, Maryland. Photo Credit: Lori Burdoo Visit her Squidoo profile: http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/gottaloveit
Ghost sign in Georgetown, Maryland. Photo Credit:  Lori Burdoo
Ghost sign in Georgetown, Maryland. Photo Credit: Lori Burdoo
Ghost sign in Philadelphia. Photo Credit:  Lori Burdoo
Ghost sign in Philadelphia. Photo Credit: Lori Burdoo
Savannah, Georgia ghost sign. Photo Credit:  Lori Burdoo
Savannah, Georgia ghost sign. Photo Credit: Lori Burdoo
Ghost sign on freestanding sign, Berkeley Spring, West Virginia. Photo Credit:  Lori Burdoo
Ghost sign on freestanding sign, Berkeley Spring, West Virginia. Photo Credit: Lori Burdoo

Layered Ghost Sign by Tom Bland - for sale at Etsy.com

Tom Bland's photo of layered ghost sign
Tom Bland's photo of layered ghost sign

TYPO

Stoke Newington, London, UK.

Photograph by Tom Bland.

My 'Sign Of The Times' project documents striking ghost signs wherever I can find them, and is an ode to the more traditional methods of advertising before the arrival of the digital screen and revolving billboard: graphic design, typography, craftsmanship and paint.

Sign of the Times

Ghost sign in Springfield, Illinois on a brick building. Reads "Hotel" with something under it I couldn't make out.
Ghost sign in Springfield, Illinois on a brick building. Reads "Hotel" with something under it I couldn't make out.

Advertising Signs May Be Fading Away

but you can learn more about them

Often ghost signs are discovered when one building next to another building is torn down. The outside walls of the two buildings were so close together that the old faded art of the ghost sign was preserved from the weather and elements.

Ghost signs were originally hand painted onto sides of brick buildings advertising stores like a drug store or a clothing store. Sometimes the advertising was for a product like tobacco or laundry soap or quaint products like liniment.

Ghost signs "are known as 'ghost signs,' so called because many have faded beyond recognition from decades of exposure to the elements," according to the mtstandard.com.

Most municipalities do not consider ghost signs to be of historical significance, therefore, these relics are not able to be preserved unless the owner takes on the job.

Ghost sign shown here on a building in Springfield, Illinois.

Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood

Ghost Signs - Springfield, Illinois

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.Ghost sign on brick building, can't read what it says. Black on brown.
Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.
Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.
Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.
Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.
Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.
Ghost sign "Hotel" on brick building in Springfield, IL.
Ghost sign on brick building, can't read what it says. Black on brown.
Ghost sign on brick building, can't read what it says. Black on brown.

"I love ghost signs because they are tangible

reminders of the past and they're so subtle -

they're there, but they're not there."

~ Andy Masich, president of the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District

Source: Triblive

Ghost Signs in Rural Missouri - Thank you, Veryirie!

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Veryirie sent me this ghost sign in her hometown in Missouri. Visit her Squidoo profile:  http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/veryirieAnother rural Missouri ghost sign complements of Veryirie.Visit her Squidoo profile:  http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/veryirie
Veryirie sent me this ghost sign in her hometown in Missouri. Visit her Squidoo profile:  http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/veryirie
Veryirie sent me this ghost sign in her hometown in Missouri. Visit her Squidoo profile: http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/veryirie
Another rural Missouri ghost sign complements of Veryirie.Visit her Squidoo profile:  http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/veryirie
Another rural Missouri ghost sign complements of Veryirie. Visit her Squidoo profile: http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/veryirie

Decals of Ghost Signs for Trains

Add character and an authentic feel to the buildings in your train set with these decals of ghost signs. They come in several sizes including N scale, O scale, and HO scale as well as customizable sizes to suit your specific needs.

Ghost Signs in Zanesville, Ohio - Thanks, MaxReily!

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Fellow Squidoo writer sent me these photos of a ghost sign in Zanesville, Ohio. Thanks, Max! Photo credit on these four photos:  MaxReily  Please visit Max's Squidoo page:  http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MaxReilyBronchini, the Great Cough Cure. What a great name. Wonder if the product was that great too!Lovely old building with ghost sign in Zanesville, Ohio.When Max sent me these photos, she wrote, "I'm hoping that there was once a porch or stairway at that 2nd story door!" Me too, Max, me too! I think I see a faint outline of steps going up to the upper door.
Fellow Squidoo writer sent me these photos of a ghost sign in Zanesville, Ohio. Thanks, Max! Photo credit on these four photos:  MaxReily  Please visit Max's Squidoo page:  http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MaxReily
Fellow Squidoo writer sent me these photos of a ghost sign in Zanesville, Ohio. Thanks, Max! Photo credit on these four photos: MaxReily Please visit Max's Squidoo page: http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/MaxReily
Bronchini, the Great Cough Cure. What a great name. Wonder if the product was that great too!
Bronchini, the Great Cough Cure. What a great name. Wonder if the product was that great too!
Lovely old building with ghost sign in Zanesville, Ohio.
Lovely old building with ghost sign in Zanesville, Ohio.
When Max sent me these photos, she wrote, "I'm hoping that there was once a porch or stairway at that 2nd story door!" Me too, Max, me too! I think I see a faint outline of steps going up to the upper door.
When Max sent me these photos, she wrote, "I'm hoping that there was once a porch or stairway at that 2nd story door!" Me too, Max, me too! I think I see a faint outline of steps going up to the upper door.

Ghost Sign in Homer, NY - Thanks, Chazz!

Ghost sign in Homer, New York.
Ghost sign in Homer, New York.

Ghost Signs in Mankato, Minnesota - Ghost Signs from Riverfront Drive and Old Front Street in Mankato. Thanks, Char!

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Coca-Cola sign on the side of a building.J.B. & D. RichardsBull Durham smoking tobacco ghost sign.Bull Durham sign.
Coca-Cola sign on the side of a building.
Coca-Cola sign on the side of a building.
J.B. & D. Richards
J.B. & D. Richards
Bull Durham smoking tobacco ghost sign.
Bull Durham smoking tobacco ghost sign.
Bull Durham sign.
Bull Durham sign.

Sunkist Ghost Sign and Elevator Ghost Sign, Arizona - I Finally Found Some Arizona Ghost Signs!

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Sunkist Mesa Citrus Growers ghost sign in Mesa, Arizona. Photo Credit:  Peggy HazelwoodFP Hillson and Sons elevator ghost sign, Mesa, Arizona. Photo Credit:  Peggy Hazelwood
Sunkist Mesa Citrus Growers ghost sign in Mesa, Arizona. Photo Credit:  Peggy Hazelwood
Sunkist Mesa Citrus Growers ghost sign in Mesa, Arizona. Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood
FP Hillson and Sons elevator ghost sign, Mesa, Arizona. Photo Credit:  Peggy Hazelwood
FP Hillson and Sons elevator ghost sign, Mesa, Arizona. Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood

Ghost Signs in Peoria, Illinois - Thanks to My Sister for Taking These Great Photos

Click thumbnail to view full-size
A ghost sign with a balcony beneath it. Love this one!Hotel Mitchell ghost sign.Ghost signs on old factory looking building.Storage sign.Sealtest dairy ghost sign.
A ghost sign with a balcony beneath it. Love this one!
A ghost sign with a balcony beneath it. Love this one!
Hotel Mitchell ghost sign.
Hotel Mitchell ghost sign.
Ghost signs on old factory looking building.
Ghost signs on old factory looking building.
Storage sign.
Storage sign.
Sealtest dairy ghost sign.
Sealtest dairy ghost sign.

Ghost Signs in New Orleans - The French Quarter

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Ghost sign selling liver pills.Layered ghost signs making it hard to read any of the words. Love it!Mother cat carrying kitten ghost sign for OK Storage Co.Uneeda Biscuit ghost sign with lovely French Quarter buildings in the foreground.
Ghost sign selling liver pills.
Ghost sign selling liver pills.
Layered ghost signs making it hard to read any of the words. Love it!
Layered ghost signs making it hard to read any of the words. Love it!
Mother cat carrying kitten ghost sign for OK Storage Co.
Mother cat carrying kitten ghost sign for OK Storage Co.
Uneeda Biscuit ghost sign with lovely French Quarter buildings in the foreground.
Uneeda Biscuit ghost sign with lovely French Quarter buildings in the foreground.

Affiliate Disclosure

This author, Peggy Hazelwood, participates in Amazon, eBay, All Posters, and other affiliate advertising programs. When you click an advertising link on this page and make a purchase, I receive a small percent of the sale. Thank you for reading this far!

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