With demolition of this building imminent, photographers interested in old signs should hustle on over to North Avenue and take their best shots. Most likely this sign dates back to the early 20th century. The Bull Durham Smoking Tobacco slogan, "The Old Reliable," is still quite legible and the bull image can be seen in the lower left.
I didn't notice the bull until just now, when I saw some other old signs online and realized what it was. There is some interesting lore online, along with criticism of racist advertising the company used early on.
Tobacco advertising today must include warnings of all the hazards of its use, of course. Capturing the image of this ghost sign is all about preserving a bit of history, aside from the other issues.
In 2009, an Art Deco sign for Ford automobiles was covered over on Cleveland Avenue. See Plaintalker's post
here. Photos will be the only records we have of 20th Century signs and even buildings in years to come.
Click here for another example of decorative elements vanishing.
--Bernice
Maybe it's just the amount of toys I've been playing with this weekend, but in that top picture I see a Lego Construction Man with the yellow head and shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers. It's like a cloud game.
ReplyDeleteThat said, these are important things to document. While it is exciting to see change and renovation in such an aged downtown, it is also sad to see the history go away. We are in a wonderful time where we can freeze the history in pictures and words while being able to upgrade for modern needs.
Thanks for posting these.
Much can be said about a city that refuses to embrace it's past and protect it.
ReplyDeleteUrban renewal was designed for a city like Plainfield. The successful cities, IMHO, are the ones that have decided to embrace, protect, enhance and show case their architectural diversity. Vision...myopic Plainfield.
Nathan, I believe that is a kind of chimney. It does look like a toy figure in a way. Across the city there are many varieties of chimneys, especially on historic homes, and they are another category of architectural design that might be documented before they are gone.
ReplyDeleteHopefully free bricks for anyone who did not get Lincoln Logs.
ReplyDeletethey need to get rid of all them old buildings
ReplyDeletetear down elmwood gardens already
Who got the demolition contract
ReplyDeleteDetails of a few recent losses from the UK on this Ghostsigns blog.
ReplyDelete