Thanksgiving is here and that has us looking backwards into the past. Of course we can’t keep signs off the brain, so we wanted to dive into the history of signage in America and specifically try to find the oldest sign still present. While there is some dispute as to the oldest sign still in existence, we found a few that may fit the bill.
Braddock’s Stone
Braddock’s Stone might be considered less of a traditional sign (though it fits the broader definition of monument); however, it seems to match some of the criteria. According to Road Side America, Braddock Rock was carved by British General Edward Braddock in the 1750s. Braddock was leading his soldiers nearby Frostburg, Maryland, and he etched directions and mileage to and from neighboring forts. Thus creating what is quite literally a directional monument.
Though it’s no longer an active guide, the Braddock Stone can be seen at the Frostburg Museum.
Ye Olde Union Oyster House in Boston, Massachusetts
By Sayamindu Dasgupta – Flickr: A walk through Boston, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
The Ye Olde Union Oystery House has been called the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the United States. Though it’s hand painted sign very likely is newer than the business iteself, its hand-painted craftmanship still reflects the style of the times.
Inn & Tavern Signs
Historic American Buildings Survey (Fed.) Stanley P. Mixon, Photographer Sept 16, 1940 (G) EXTERIOR, DETAIL OF OLD TAVERN SIGN (ENGLISH SIDE) WITH PAINTED LION – Captain Arah HABS CONN,3-COLB.V,1-7
Many historic Inn & Tavern signs can now be found in museums, such as the Connecticut Museum which has an entire exhibition devoted to these historic Inn & Tavern signs. Though they may no longer be in use, they represent America’s history as a colony and a fledgling nation.
Ancient Petroglyphs and Pictographs
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BrandonStephenson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Petroglyphs (carvings) and pictographs (paintings/drawings) in many ways were the original signs. According to the National Park Service (NPS), Petroglyphs as seen at the National Petroglyph monument in Bernalillo County, New Mexico are “designs and symbols were carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago.” Petroglyphs and pictographs feature a variety of subjects from animals, to people, to symbols, and more abstract visuals as well.