Ghost Signs of Northern Kentucky

 

Latonia, a neighborhood of Covington. 

Tim's closed down before the pandemic.

Note the details, like the Latonia sign, and the L&N locomotive. L&N stood for Louisville and Nashville.)

And directly across the street from Tim's was John's.

From Covington, we skip over to Newport:

The original sign for Newport's famed Green Derby has been uncovered as the tavern undergoes renovations.

(This one we've featured before.)

Back west, to Ludlow:

And then skipping back east to West Covington, for the piece de la resistance.

A cornerstone marks the building as erected in 1867, but we suspect the beer sign isn't that old.

We still can't tell what kind of beer was advertised at what is now the Playhouse Bar.

Love the Cov

Not a real ghost sign. As 5chw4r7z calls it, a fauxst sign.

And it replaced this.

Some very kind preservation. 

Also some restoration.

A revisit.

Followed by some very faded new discoveries:

Covering Covington

This specimen is in an alley between 5th and 6th, between Madison and Scott.

We sometimes find good signs in alleys, because alleys weren't always alleys, and even if they were, sometimes the tallest buildings weren't always surrounded by other tall buildings.

Mainstrasse

We took a walk along Mainstrasse in Covington, thinking we'd find a few.

Not so much.  Most of the buildings have been repainted, and any signs that 

may have been in the bar district are gone.

This is on the very southern end of the street.

 

The signature looks like Lucas Parks, but what do you think?

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.

This Should Look Familiar

As we've featured it before.

But, that was when we were still new and inexperienced enough to make mistakes like "not checking the other sides of the building for more signs."

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.

What a Beautiful Day

 

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

 

 

Graffiti Artist Shows a Little Respect

 

 

Sorry for the irregular updates, but it's summertime, and you shouldn't spend so much time in front of the computer anyway.

Easier Seen in Person

 

Seriously.  I saw it from a block away, clear as day. 

 

I'll have to go by again, because I can't remember what it reads as.

Not About the Meat

 

Technically, the Heringer sign may be a ghost, but since it's just a bunch of letters hanging on a wall, it's not that interesting.  The faded beyond readability artwork is much more engaging, I think.

Mmmmmmm...

The Statesman Group

Take Me to the Other Side

Other side of the river, and other side of the building.

Following the Herd South

Got some serious hunting to do in Covington this year, I think. 

I believe this was for tires, because that circle looks vaguely familiar.