Ghost Signs Across America

These faded signs are an important part of the historic fabric of our country seen in most communities.

Signs on buildings are often referred to as ghost signs, fading ads or brickads.  They are typically historic hand-painted advertising signs preserved on buildings which have since changed use.  Old painteed advertisements are occasionally discovered upon demolition of latre-built adjoining structures or exposed when they are discovered on exterior walls mostly made of brick.  

There's something bold about a ghost sign, even when it's so faded you can barely read it.  Companies painted entire walls of buildings so they coud advertise their wares from the 1800s through the mid-1900s.  Entire generations of sign artists were trained in hand-lettering techniques, practicing a trade that blurred the line between art and craft.  As other forms of advertising grew more popular, the market for wall paintings shrank and today their delicate remains grace the sides of older brick buildings in most major cities.

Mooresville NC and Their Restored Ghost Signs

One of the more unique features of downtown Mooresville are the healthy amount of ghost sign advertisements that are either restored or remain in their original state.  A walk through downtown on Main and Broad Streets can fill your camera with numerous old advertisements.  

The Iredell County town of Mooresville is a growing community.  Best known for being the modern home of Lowe's Home Improvement and numerous NASCAR and Indy Car teams.  The town began when John Moore donated his land to construct a railroad depot known as Moore's Siding.  Moore's Siding would continue to grow and by 1873 the name was changed to Mooresville.  The former depot now serves as an art gallery.

Other Ghost Signs Around the Country