Ghosts of Directional Signs

"Signs of Old"
All Photos by Adam Paul

In a world of otherwise boring standards, the city's directional and informational signs offer little variety from the DOT standards which set the guidelines nationwide. While a respectable number of older signs exist, they rarely differ in any way from newer signs, making the whole thought of directional signs an altogether boring concept. There are however, a few scattered locations that offer some pleasant exception and historic remedy from the modern universal blandness of this area. Journey with us, as we scout out the area for these "Signs of Old:"

SIGNS OF OLD

Among the most interesting signs that somehow manages to survive, referring the traveller to directions to the "Maryland John F. Kennedy Hwy.," which would now be designated on signs as a simple "95" in an Interstate style shield. This sign graces Wilkens Avenue just East of Monroe Street. Ironically, since the completion of the Fort Mc Henry Tunnel in 1986, the traveller from Wilkens would have reached the highway far quicker by turning South on Monroe Street and doing a turnabout in Westport, thus just missing even passing this sign!

No this is not a negative image, this "NO STOPPING" sign IS actually reversed, displaying white letters on a red background. Thankfully, the sign faces North, thus minimizing sun fading. Also, thankfully, the sign rests on remote Fairfield Road at Brady Street in Fairfield, thus keeping it largely out of Public Works view.
Predating the current design for "ONE WAY" signs is this one, which carries a simple yet attractive flaring tail on the backside of the Arrow. This respectably preserved specimen rests near Washburn and Brooklyn Avenues in Brooklyn.

Another "One Way" sign carrying a tail can be found along Hilton Road just north of Dorithan Road.
Yet another Tailed one way sign points the way to the Salad Bar here at Jordan and Dolphin Streets near State Center. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE OKONSKI

The Cream Background and typestyle of CHECKED BY RADAR certainly make this Speed Limit Sign an oldie. This one rests on Guilford Avenue and Chase Street.
Extremely faded from the years of environmental effects are these two overhead signs found just West of Patapso and Pennington Avenues, a unique directional sign.

Only a rare handful of these red backed "LEFT TURN SIGNAL" signs survive. On addition to this one at Patapsco Avenue and Washington Boulevard, two others exist at Dundalk and O'Donnell.
In the age of ultra-reflective signs, the existence of pressed or embossed surface signs is very sporadic. One such sign exists on an alley North of Wyndhurst Avenue off of Summit Avenue, carrying an attractive pack of Black-Eyed Susans along with it.

Another old embossed sign is located on Tin Mill Road just West of a triple P&BR RR crossing.

Ever seen a Yellow Stop Sign?!? They used to be everywhere! Now, the only known one is on an auto shop at Belvedere Avenue near Wabash!
Unlike any other in the city are a handful of Dead End Street signs in Armistead Gardens, perfectly matching the STOP signs facing the other direction.

While not altogether that old, this sign near the shopping area near routes 40 and 29 shows an unusual request to KEEP LEFT! PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE OKONSKI.
A "see-thru" stop sign?!? Sure enough, this oddity greets travelers along Rogers Avenue just West of Ellicott City. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE OKONSKI

It seems odd to expect a vintage crossbuck Railroad Crossing Sign to survive at a well used intersection, but sure enough, this sign posted at the CSX crossing at Waterview Avenue near Cherry Hill does just that, complete with splintered wooden post, and supplemented by a newer "up to code" version.

KNOW WHERE MORE OLD SIGNS MAY BE FOUND?!? CONTACT US!

No this is not a negative image, this "NO STOPPING" sign IS actually reversed, displaying white letters on a red background. Thankfully, the sign faces North, thus minimizing sun fading. Also, thankfully, the sign rests on remote Fairfield Road at Brady Street in Fairfield, thus keeping it largely out of Public Works view.	Predating the current design for "ONE WAY" signs is this one, which carries a simple yet attractive flaring tail on the backside of the Arrow. This respectably preserved specimen rests near Washburn and Brooklyn Avenues in Brooklyn.
Another "One Way" sign carrying a tail can be found along Hilton Road just north of Dorithan Road.	Yet another Tailed one way sign points the way to the Salad Bar here at Jordan and Dolphin Streets near State Center. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE OKONSKI
The Cream Background and typestyle of CHECKED BY RADAR certainly make this Speed Limit Sign an oldie. This one rests on Guilford Avenue and Chase Street.	Extremely faded from the years of environmental effects are these two overhead signs found just West of Patapso and Pennington Avenues, a unique directional sign.
Only a rare handful of these red backed "LEFT TURN SIGNAL" signs survive. On addition to this one at Patapsco Avenue and Washington Boulevard, two others exist at Dundalk and O'Donnell.	In the age of ultra-reflective signs, the existence of pressed or embossed surface signs is very sporadic. One such sign exists on an alley North of Wyndhurst Avenue off of Summit Avenue, carrying an attractive pack of Black-Eyed Susans along with it.
Another old embossed sign is located on Tin Mill Road just West of a triple P&BR RR crossing.
Ever seen a Yellow Stop Sign?!? They used to be everywhere! Now, the only known one is on an auto shop at Belvedere Avenue near Wabash!	Unlike any other in the city are a handful of Dead End Street signs in Armistead Gardens, perfectly matching the STOP signs facing the other direction.
While not altogether that old, this sign near the shopping area near routes 40 and 29 shows an unusual request to KEEP LEFT! PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE OKONSKI.	A "see-thru" stop sign?!? Sure enough, this oddity greets travelers along Rogers Avenue just West of Ellicott City. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE OKONSKI
	It seems odd to expect a vintage crossbuck Railroad Crossing Sign to survive at a well used intersection, but sure enough, this sign posted at the CSX crossing at Waterview Avenue near Cherry Hill does just that, complete with splintered wooden post, and supplemented by a newer "up to code" version.