Holiday Bonus

 

Yes, it's come to this.  I'm spotting ghost signs in movies now.  In this particular instance, Ghostbusters.

Dead End

 

Not your typical ghost sign, admittedly, but, seeing how there isn't an alley here, it kinda fits.

(On 12th, between Washington Park, and the School for Creative and Performing Arts.)

Westower in Westwood

 

On Glenway, just north of Nova.  Caught this out of the corner of my eye.  Sign hunting is a dangerous thing to do when driving on Glenway.

Spring Garden Building

 

Peter something & Sons.  Guessing from the "chapel" sign towards the right, I'm going to guess this was a funeral home at one point.

 

Two other points of interest...

 

On the left, above the door, there's the stonework "Spring Garden Building" title above the door.  (That half of the structure is apartments, and they're occupied.)  And above the billboard, on the east corner of the presumed funeral home, there's another ghost sign.

 

 

It appears to have read "Bunn" or "Bun" or "Dunn", but that's all we can guess at.

 

Also, time is running out for entries into the Ghostsigns calendar contest, and we'd like your input on what we should enter.

Not Cashed Out Yet

 

We were angling to get the Western-Southern billboard before it's torn down.  Yes, W&S is still going strong, but the sign is iconic, along I-75, and we were in the mindset of Merry Weather Leather.  And, then we found something else.

 

We'd thought Camp Washington was all played out.  We thought there weren't nothing more to be found.  Were we wrong...

 

As for the sign, Bimel, which is what we read, could refer to the late Carl Bimel.

Happy Hunting Grounds

 

This week has been amazing for ghost sign hunting.  The sun is low, the light is right, and the leaves are falling, revealing what was hidden. 

We've found about a dozen signs since Monday, most previously unnoticed.  There were two in Westwood discovered Thursday.  Some were noted for later capture.

 

This particular example is on Harrison, going up the hill, away from Queen City.  Tom Kneer Dodge.  And it seems Tom was a BIG Bengal fan.  And his sign covering up another sign, too.

 

Here's another resource which deserves a look-see.

 

And don't forget: We need your suggestions on which signs to submit to the Ghostsign 2014 Calendar. Put your comment in the box below, or e-mail us, by November 6th.  (The deadline to enter is the 8th.)

Here Yesterday, Gone Today

 

An important lesson in seizing the day.

 

Hanging from the corner was a sign for Merry Weather Leathers.  They closed recently.  I just noticed Sunday as I walked past, the store was being cleaned out. 

Can't say I'm surprised, as I never, ever, ever saw anyone shopping there.

 

But, more importantly for this blog, their sign.  It had neon.  It had pictures of Bicycle and Bee playing cards.  It was beautiful, and I hope it finds a new home, perhaps at the American Sign Museum.

 

I WAS sure I had a picture of it somewhere, and I was right! 

 

 From a May 2011 entry.

 

Here's the Google Street View.

 

More Mr. Powell

As promised, from the previous post...

Mr. Powell's factory...

I would have gotten a better picture of the crown, but it seemed redundant.

 

Now, here's a chance for you to weigh in on this site.  A real, serious ghost sign blog is calling for submissions to make a calendar for 2014.  Each submitter can enter up to five entries.  What, from this blog would you have me submit?  Put your suggestions in the comment box, or, e-mail me, or say something in facebook.  And if you see one you like, but the picture is crummy, say so, and I'll try to get a better photo.

I'm going to enter five, but I'd like to know which are your favorites.  Take your time.  There's a couple of years' worth of potential entries.  (Reader Submissions will be considered, and the contributor will get full credit.)

The Powell Empire

 

There's this, which is close to this:

 

 

But, Mr. Powell's business doesn't have a lot to do with the American Sign Museum.

 

There are plenty of other buildings in Camp Washington with the Powell name.

In fact, I was considering doing a theme week with them.  (There's one building on Spring Grove I haven't hit yet.  Maybe today...)

And the Powell name lives on, if you're curious.

 

 

 

 

Hamilton

 

Our first from Hamilton!, Ohio, and the most recent reader submission. 

This beaut is at 2nd and High Streets, and comes to us from Ms. K. Steele.

 

It looks as though someone built over it, and someone else tore that building down. 

Gone, But Not Forgotten

 

Just west of yesterday's ghost sign, is the old Bavarian's Brewery.

Thanks to the Paper

 

If it weren't for a story in Saturday's Cincinnati Enquirer, I might have missed this one.

The building, along with others nearby, go up for auction soon, and they'll likely be torn down.

(I'd link to the article, but it's behind a paywall.)

 

It's at MLK and Fisk, if you're curious.

Stepping Up

 

City Steps, which connects Reading Road Mt. Auburn.  Been up 'em a few times.  And they're not quite done.  At least, as of Monday night.  But, they're essentially fixed, and open and clean. 

And by clean, I mean the trees and brush that closed in over the stairs, making you wonder if there were not a body, just off the trail, are gone. 

 

Since I've been on these stairs before, I'm going to assume I've seen this partially covered ghost sign before, and merely forgot it. 
Otherwise, it's something to see in person, being layered, and yet, still spectacular.  Just don't ask what it fully reads.  "Wiedem" could be a reference to Wiedeman beer, but honestly, the sign was so layered as to be unreadable.

Dull

 

On 7th, between Vine and Race. 

More interesting things coming...

 

In the meantime, go look at ghostsigns Down Under.

Nosey

 

This building sits just off of 8th, on Plum, across from City Hall.  I'd never, ever, ever, seen the garage door open before, but when I did, I had to stick my head in, and get a picture of this:

 

If you're curious, the garage door opens to a ramp to the second story.

Etched in Stone

Late Addition

 

Lump this in with the collection of retired firehouses.  There's talk about turning it into a high-end restaurant, as part of Eagle Realty/Western & Southern/Great American's plans to create an entertainment district around Lytle Park.

Premium Coffee

 

Again, somewhere in OTR.  If I had to guess, which I have to, I'd say around 14th and Republic. 

I see the word "coffee" above the two doors, and the word "premium" between them.  But then, I see things in ink blots that scare psychologists and psychiatrists, alike.

Click on the pick to make it bigger, and maybe you too will see it.

 

Also take note of what appears to be a doorknob in the center of the door on the left.  Tres` European.

Not Such a Lovely Day

 

But, it's a two-fer, with the savings and loan, AND the King of Clubs sign on the front of the building.

What a Beautiful Day

 

Lovely blue skies, but... what's that in the foreground?