Liquor Dealer

Somehow, during our last visit to Hastings, we missed this one.

North Platte

While there were other ghost signs in NP, we didn't get them.

I was too busy reminiscing, the streets were torn up, and my traveling companions were getting cranky.

Roots

North Platte, Nebraska.  Where I grew up.

The White Horse at this location was a bar. 

(However, I remember a White Horse tobacconist/video store.)

The Hotel Pawnee, or, the Pawnee Hotel, as it was better known.

Up until a couple of years ago, it was a senior citizen home.

The Fox Theater, across the street, where I saw so many movies, is now a performing arts center.

The barber shop to the left is where Dad took me for my first professional trims.

Our family left North Platte in 1986.  I hadn't been back since 1994.

Last from Lincoln

Certainly not the last in Lincoln, but the last from our most recent trip there.

Next week, we head out west.  Again.

Branding in Lincoln

Milady Coffee seems to be a thing of the past, and H.P. Lau is long gone.

But, the branding remains.

Although, truth be told, we doubt this sign is an original. 

While it's protected from the elements in a loading bay, it's still too perfect.

Lined Up in Lincoln

Again in the Haymarket.

Plenty of ghost signs, and one that was covered.

And yes, that Lincoln Hide & Fur sign seems to have weathered the years a little too well.

Haymarket

The Haymarket is a trendy section of Lincoln just off of the downtown.

And since it's a gentrified warehouse district, there's not a shortage of ghost signs.

Along O Street

O Street is, for those of you not in the know, Lincoln's main drag. 

Some say it's the longest main street in the world.  Others disagree.

But, it does have a history, and that history is marked in signage.

Come back next week as we venture into Lincoln's Haymarket.

You won't be disappointed.

On to Lincoln

Lincoln, state capital of Nebraska, and veritable treasure trove of ghost signs,

... as you shall see in the coming days.

It's... Beautiful

And so we left the Old Market, satisfied with our day's haul...

But wait! What's this?

My god.

Admittedly, some of it looks too good to be true.

And alas, some of it is, according to Omaha Magazine.

And the other side of this building has been featured before here.

Better Lighting

A couple more previously posted, but with better lighting.

The Old Market

We last visited the Old Market in 2012, and found it to be a treasure trove of ghost signs.

At the time, the sun was low in the sky, making it difficult to get good shots.  This visit was in August, so if you recognize a few signs, it's because the light was better.

Back in the Big O

As we return to Omaha, we can't not visit the happy hunting grounds of the Old Market.

And what's that over there?

No, not Ahmad's van.  Although, it's been there nearly long enough to qualify for ghost sign status...

A sign for the Hotel Howard, over (Wrigley's?) Spearmint Gum.

And Omahans did like their gum.

Auburn, NE

We have no idea what this read.

But, on the other side of the building...

To the left, we can make out "ICE CREAM".

And so far, we have found more signs for Owl Cigars in the wild than for Bull Durham or Mail Pouch tobacco.

And yet, who's ever heard of Owl cigars?

(Straiton and Storm, manufacturer of Owl Cigars, were bought out by the White Owl Cigar company, according to the New York Times.  White Owls are still available today.)

We're guessing this was a drug store back in the day.

(While researching Owls, we found a printed walking tour of the ghost signs of Fort Collins, CO.  How cool is that?)

Falls City

Just a few short miles down a Richardson County highway, we come to Falls City, Nebraska.

And while Chaney Furniture is still operating, dig that neon.

And the big red empty space?  Probably had a sign at one point.

Rulo

After leaving Kansas City, we got off I-29 to take the back roads through southeast Nebraska.

First stop, Rulo.

It's not clear if the Rulo Library is still operational, but since they have a neon sign, we thought it was worth including.

And dig the water department's drop box.

On Baltimore

Still in Kansas City. 

And while trying to get a better picture of the fire-proof hotel, we found this:

And we might not have found either had we not been looking for this:

Mr. B. Johnson in front of the world-famous Kansas City Public Library.

(Not a ghost, but worth a viewing in person.)

Next week: a Return to Nebraska.

KC Savoy

The Savoy was hit by fire last year, but will soon be the latest boutique hotel from 21C Museum Hotels, which also renovated the Metropole, in Downtown Cincinnati.

For a little perspective, note the ghost signs to the right, featured earlier this week.

All Along Wyandotte

The Baker-Vawter Building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and today, houses lofts.

But look at that tile sign!

Along Wyandotte

Yesterday's photos were looking west.  Today, it's the east side of Wyandotte Street.

Trozzolo is still in business, but we respect their use of a painted sign.

And on the south side of the building.