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Ghost Signs
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Managed By: Icon Here The Wall Dogs
Description:
Faded, painted signs, at least 50 years old, on an exterior building wall heralding an obsolete product, an outdated trademark or a clue to the history of the building's occupancy.
Expanded Description:
The advent of digitally printed vinyl ads over the past decade has rendered painted ads nearly obsolete. Vinyl ads are cheaper and faster to produce, and neon and electric ads have spread.



However, for many years outdoor advertising was limited to enormous ads painted, using lead-based paint, on the sides of barns and brick buildings. This practice has been largely abandoned in more recent times.


Image Source: Frank H. Jump

Yet a few remain, their lead lettering often serving as the sole reminder of the service or product they sold. Some are visible only after it rains, prompting the nickname "ghost signs."
Instructions for Posting a Ghost Signs Waymark:
Find a Ghost Sign and snap a picture. If you can tell us anything about the product being advertised that is definitely a plus.

The signs we are looking for are NOT restored to new condition. The point is to have a sign which is somewhat difficult to read until the rain emphasizes the faded paint.

Additionally, the ghost sign should not advertise the current business which occupies the location. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis for signs which qualify in every other way.

Please do NOT include a picture of yourself nor your GPS in the photo.

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Total Records: 22 Page: 1 of 1 prev<<<[1]>>>next
Image for Hunt and Mottet Co. Ghost Signs - Tacoma, WAview gallery

NWNW58.7 km

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Ghost SignsHunt and Mottet Co. Ghost Signs - Tacoma, WA

in Ghost Signs

The company of Hunt and Mottet formed in 1887 and they produced heavy hardware. This building was constructed in 1907 during an expansion of the company and shows two signs with the company's name.

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty

location: Washington

date approved: 11/15/2007

last visited: 03/05/2009

Image for F.S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. - Tacoma, Washingtonview gallery

NWNW58.7 km

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Ghost SignsF.S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. - Tacoma, Washington

in Ghost Signs

The Harmon Building was originally a warehouse for a furniture manufacturer. Now it is home to a popular brewpub and the Harmon Lofts condominiums.

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty

location: Washington

date approved: 03/31/2007

last visited: 04/11/2015

Image for Slumberite Mattress ad - F.S. Harmon Furniture Manufacturing Co. Warehouse view gallery

NWNW58.7 km

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Ghost SignsSlumberite Mattress ad - F.S. Harmon Furniture Manufacturing Co. Warehouse

in Ghost Signs

F.S. Harmon was a large furniture manufacturing business and this building was their mattress warehouse. This sign advertises the "Slumberite" mattress.

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty

location: Washington

date approved: 11/15/2007

last visited: 11/15/2007

Image for Alber Brothers Mill Ghost Sign - Tacoma, Washingtonview gallery

NN58.9 km

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Ghost SignsAlber Brothers Mill Ghost Sign - Tacoma, Washington

in Ghost Signs

Five brothers worked together to create and run the Alber Brothers Milling Co. The mill thrived operated here from 1904 until 1944. The building has been refurbished and is now high end appartments.

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty

location: Washington

date approved: 02/19/2007

last visited: 01/15/2017

Image for Weigel Candy Co. Building Ghost Signs - Tacoma, WAview gallery

NWNW58.9 km

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Ghost SignsWeigel Candy Co. Building Ghost Signs - Tacoma, WA

in Ghost Signs

These signs are located on the side of the historic Weigel Candy Co. Building. One is a Coca Cola advertisement, and the other features a box of Weigel chocolates. The Weigel Brothers were a Dutch immigrant family and they pioneered the candy makin

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty

location: Washington

date approved: 11/15/2007

last visited: 11/15/2007

Image for American Plumbing Ghost Sign - Tacoma, WAview gallery

NWNW58.9 km

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Ghost SignsAmerican Plumbing Ghost Sign - Tacoma, WA

in Ghost Signs

The Walsh and Gardner building originally held pipe valves and fittings. It later became home to American Plumbing and still bears their ghost sign on the side of the building.

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty

location: Washington

date approved: 11/15/2007

last visited: 11/15/2007

Image for Heidelberg Beer - Tacoma Washingtonview gallery

NWNW59.1 km

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Ghost SignsHeidelberg Beer - Tacoma Washington

in Ghost Signs

An ad for Heidelberg beer with a great painting of a guy drinking a bottle of beer.

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty

location: Washington

date approved: 08/10/2006

last visited: 02/28/2010

Image for Pythian Temple Ghost Signsview gallery

NN60 km

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Ghost SignsPythian Temple Ghost Signs

in Ghost Signs

The Pythian Temple, a national registered historic site, has this group of 4 ghost signs on the side of its building that fronts its parking lot.

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Hikenutty

location: Washington

date approved: 10/07/2006

last visited: 08/31/2009

Image for Frank Everett and Co. building, Chehalis, Washingtonview gallery

WW64.4 km

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Ghost SignsFrank Everett and Co. building, Chehalis, Washington

in Ghost Signs

Sign on the west side of the Frank Everett and Company building in Chehalis, Washington.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member dzrt1st

location: Washington

date approved: 04/17/2007

last visited: never

Image for McCrory Building - Seattle, WAview gallery

NN94.8 km

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Ghost SignsMcCrory Building - Seattle, WA

in Ghost Signs

Sign on the side of the old McCrory Building in downtown Seattle

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member fishingwishing

location: Washington

date approved: 12/28/2007

last visited: 08/15/2015

Image for Washington Shoe MFG. CO.view gallery

NN95 km

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Ghost SignsWashington Shoe MFG. CO.

in Ghost Signs

Old ghost sign on the J. M. Frink Building built in 1892.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member OpinioNate

location: Washington

date approved: 01/30/2007

last visited: 08/26/2012

Image for Rainier Beer - Underground? Seattle, WAview gallery

NN95 km

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Ghost SignsRainier Beer - Underground? Seattle, WA

in Ghost Signs

Do these stairs lead to 'underground' Seattle?

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member fishingwishing

location: Washington

date approved: 12/28/2007

last visited: 10/10/2014

Image for Have Lunch Overseas - Washington State Ferriesview gallery

NN95.1 km

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Ghost SignsHave Lunch Overseas - Washington State Ferries

in Ghost Signs

Advertisement for the Washington State Ferries on the side of an old brick building in the Pioneer Square area.

posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member fishingwishing

location: Washington

date approved: 12/28/2007

last visited: 08/12/2019

Image for Corkstone Flooring Company  -  Seattle, WAview gallery

NN96.4 km

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Ghost SignsCorkstone Flooring Company - Seattle, WA

in Ghost Signs

This ghost sign is located at 2116 Western Avenue in Seattle, Washington.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Metro2

location: Washington

date approved: 03/24/2011

last visited: 03/19/2011

Image for Wholesale Onlyview gallery

NN96.9 km

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Ghost SignsWholesale Only

in Ghost Signs

Best guess is that this location once housed a discount or shipping retail store.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member D3C1B3L

location: Washington

date approved: 06/26/2006

last visited: 04/30/2009

Image for Henry George - Everett, WAview gallery

NN136 km

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Ghost SignsHenry George - Everett, WA

in Ghost Signs

Part of this advertisement for Henry George cigars can still be seen on the back side of the historic Everett Theater.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member lahontan

location: Washington

date approved: 08/22/2022

last visited: never

Image for Tom Moore America's Favorite - Everett, WAview gallery

NN136.2 km

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Ghost SignsTom Moore America's Favorite - Everett, WA

in Ghost Signs

Very faded advertisement for Tom Moore cigars on the east side of the Marion building at 1401 Hewitt Avenue.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member lahontan

location: Washington

date approved: 09/01/2022

last visited: never

Image for Imperial Tea Co. - Bargreens Coffeeview gallery

NN136.2 km

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Ghost SignsImperial Tea Co. - Bargreens Coffee

in Ghost Signs

On the backside of the current flagship store for Bargreen's, a local coffee roaster.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member lahontan

location: Washington

date approved: 08/17/2022

last visited: never

Image for White Eagle sign, Portland, ORview gallery

SS141.5 km

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Ghost SignsWhite Eagle sign, Portland, OR

in Ghost Signs

This sign is on the White Eagle Saloon in Portland, OR.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Queens Blessing

location: Oregon

date approved: 03/06/2013

last visited: 11/27/2013

Image for Rug Company Advertisement, Portland, Oregonview gallery

SS143.7 km

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Ghost SignsRug Company Advertisement, Portland, Oregon

in Ghost Signs

The Ghost Sign is located at SW Tenth Avenue and SW Alder Street.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Rose Red

location: Oregon

date approved: 08/12/2006

last visited: 11/25/2013

Image for Lotus Cafe and Cardroom, Portland, Oregonview gallery

SS144 km

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Ghost SignsLotus Cafe and Cardroom, Portland, Oregon

in Ghost Signs

The Lotus Cafe and Cardroom (1906) is located at 932 SW Third Avenue. The ghost sign is located at the rear of the building, next to a parking lot.

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Rose Red

location: Oregon

date approved: 07/26/2006

last visited: 07/03/2008

Image for Owl Cigars Now 5 Centsview gallery

NN158.2 km

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Ghost SignsOwl Cigars Now 5 Cents

in Ghost Signs

On the side of an old hotel in downtown Port Townsend is a remnant from a previous age... where you could purchase a (quality?) cigar for 5 cents.

posted by: Groundspeak Charter Member Jeremy

location: Washington

date approved: 06/13/2006

last visited: 01/17/2022

Total Records: 22 Page: 1 of 1 prev<<<[1]>>>next
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