Revealed

In October 2017, a building in the 900 block of State Avenue started to fall apart.

It, and a neighbor were demolished, revealing this beauty.

You'll recognize the May, Stern names; they're so prevalent they have their own category among local ghost signs.

And this piece of artwork is signed.

Leaping to the southeast corner of Downtown and ahead to the late 20th Century, we find this ad for Grand Victoria Casino, nee Rising Star Casino.

It's usually covered by a vinyl beer ad.

Almost at the End

Penultimate contribution from Ms. E. Correll's visit to Marietta.

May Stern

Sandwiched between two vacant homes, on State Avenue.

If we find one more May Stern, it will have to have its own category.

Marx Brothers

First featured by Visualingual, last February, and we had to have it.

Our "research" also found this.

More "research" turns up this.  I'm guessing this was their factory, and the store was around the corner on Monmouth.

Bonus: Across the street.

Revisiting Week Wrap Up

We're not sure if the paint job is fading, or if the light is better,

but, the signs on this building on Central Parkway, near Ezzard Charles seem to be more visible lately.

Back to new finds next week.

Madison Road

Saw this a while ago, but it was always blocked by leaves on a tree.

We think the tree has been removed.

Maystern

This is not the first one we've found.  There's another not far from this one.

But, apparently, it's not Maystern.  It's May Stern, and it was part of the Spiegel family.

Mt. Auburn

 

As you drive north on Vine, toward Uptown, you may see this beauty, partially hidden, halfway up the hill, on the right side of the street.

 

I see it as an ad for Globe Furniture and Carpet.

 

******

 

 

A little history lesson on a previous entry from our friends at Digging Cincinnati History.

(D.C.H. is also where I got tipped about a ghost sign a couple of weeks ago.  See "Apologies"  April 17th, 2013.)

 

 

Marquee Style--Day Two

 

There's a lot going on here.  There's the sign running across the front.

There's the "Pool Room", in the lower left corner.  And just a snippet of Globe Furniture on the right.

 

On Elm, across from Findlay Market.

 

 

Interesting to note, in 2008, when southwest Ohio was hit by the winds of what had been Hurricane Ike, a transformer on the corner exploded, igniting the top floors of this building.  The wind spread the flames across the street to the Globe Furniture structure, and then across Elm, to the apartments overlooking the market.

 

Tucked Away on McFarland

 

This is what originally caught my eye, as I was walking on Elm.  Getting closer, the rest came into view, and it didn't disappoint.

 

Although, I should probably revisit, when it's not covered in shadow.

Hello Beautiful!

 

Here I was this morning, thinking about dropping this whole thing.  (See previous post.)

 

And then, hours later, in the West End, not even looking for old signs, I find this gem, and a couple of previously undiscovered others.  Gonna take it as a sign to keep posting.

 

Why do this in the first place?  Besides the fact that it gives me something to do besides drink myself to death?  I like it.  I like these signs.  It is art, even if it was never meant to be.  Look at the layers on this particular entry: carpets, ice cream, household goods, bakery?  I just think it's beautiful.

 

And I love the historical aspect too: What was this (or any) neighborhood like when these signs were painted?  For instance, this one, along the 8th Street Viaduct in Queengate.  Right now, it's next to a viaduct, surrounded by brownfields, train tracks, and the Cincinnati Police Academy.  But, at one time, things must have been quite different.  Or like today's entry, on Freeman, near Dayton; not much seems to happen here now, but at one point, Freeman must have been a bustling thoroughfare.

 

Beyond that, this blog doesn't get a lot of attention, and that's okay.  I'm not doing it for fame, or money, (obviously).  I'm doing it because I like it.  Finding faded signs brings me a small measure of joy.

Queensgate Reducks

This was originally featured in June, shot from the 8th Street Viaduct, as I was driving.  I knew there was more to it than what I could see at 35 mph, but didn't know how much more.

Revisited

Main Street. You've seen it before.

No-Man's Land

That border between OTR, the West End, Fairview and Clifton Heights.

Layered

I couldn't remember exactly where I took this, (because I didn't notice the street sign in the corner), so looked it up on Google Maps.  They haven't driven by this corner, but you can see it from the 14th and Vine shot.  You may also note that Google Streetview hasn't been through OTR in a while.

Below the Rugs Baking Co