Another One Bites the Dust

When we first saw the scaffolding up on Liberty near Race, we were hoping for the best.

Maybe they were just shoring up the wall, and patching the crack.

Nope.

Here's what it used to look like.

It was never the prettiest, and the historic value was probably negligible.

But, the lesson is there; don't wait to capture a ghost sign.  It may not last.

United Appeal

An early incarnation of the United Way?

Now Playing

On the side of the Esquire Theater in Clifton.

Too far gone to read.

Arlin's

Let us leave Covington for a moment, and travel up to Clifton, where

in the Gaslight District, Arlin's Bar is still serving beer.

Their current sign, which is fading, covers an older one.

The old one brings to mind the sweater that Bluto wore in 

Animal House. 

More Covington

Lov the Cov

On West Pike Street.

The little holes in the sign suggest it used to have neon tubes.

Bold

This beauty is just a couple of blocks to the south of yesterday's entry.

It's so bold, one might almost wonder if it had been touched up.

But, I think the differences between the two are: 

1. this is on the north side of the building,

while the other is on the south, and more exposed to the sun.

2. The red paint is hardier than the yellow.

The Cov

We learned about this one when Queen City Discovery announced he was writing a book on ghost signs.

We'd seen pictures of it before, but weren't sure it was actually still around.

It's in Covington, on Bakewell, on the side of Rosie's Tavern.

Such detail!

And if you're impressed with this, wait until tomorrow's entry.

Back to the Beginning

After a couple of weeks in Dayton, and a week of NYC, we're back in Cincinnati,

where The Writing on the Walls starts.

Last October, Mr. B. Joyce found this ghost sign for the Hotel Fort Washington, while he was lurking in the alleys behind the Aranoff Center.

We won't ask what he was doing back there, but we know he wasn't looking up,

else he would have seen this.

And on the front, for good measure, this plaque remains.

The Hotel is now high-end condos.

I'm Leaving Today

And so our vicarious trip to New York, New York ends with a photo

from the front seat of car as Ms. E. Correll and Mr. B. Johnson 

head to the airport.

Thanks to both for keeping an eye out and thinking of us on their journey.

For the rest of you:

Keep watching the tops of buildings.