Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

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.

Monday, September 28, 2015

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.


Friday, September 25, 2015

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.


Thursday, September 24, 2015

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.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

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.

Monday, September 21, 2015

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.

Friday, September 18, 2015

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.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

On to Lincoln


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


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


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Monday, September 14, 2015

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.

Friday, September 11, 2015

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.



Thursday, September 10, 2015

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?


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?)

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

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.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

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.


Friday, September 4, 2015

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.



Thursday, September 3, 2015

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.



Wednesday, September 2, 2015

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!

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

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.