c/ghost-signs

My phone's bursting with pics of flaking paint ads. Cultural save or silly hobby?

I got into taking photos of every old sign on buildings I pass. A few call it preserving our town's story, while several say it's just snapping trash. Do you think all ghost signs need recording, or let most fade?

Unpopular opinion: That flaking ice cream mural on the side of the old shop is about to disappear

I just saw the ghost sign for 'Frosty Treats' losing big chunks of paint after the last rain. If nobody acts soon, we'll lose this cool piece of our food history forever. The sun and rain are breaking it down faster each season. Go take a photo this weekend before it's all gone.

Spotted a 'Smokeless Coal' ad peeling next to a bike lane

I was biking and saw this faded ghost sign for 'Smokeless Coal' on a brick wall, right by a new bike path. Honestly, it's kinda hilarious that they called coal clean back then, and now the paint is probably toxic. What other old ads have you seen that accidentally joke about the environment?

Rant: Rural ghost signs get no love on here

I keep seeing posts about old ads in big cities, but the ones out in the country are way more interesting. They show how businesses used to reach folks in small towns, and the paint fades in unique ways. So why does everyone ignore them when they share pics?

Serious question, who checks for old ads before city repairs start?

I was driving through downtown and saw a crew pressure washing a brick wall. They were about to strip off a faded but clear 'Ice Cream' sign from the 1920s. Honestly, if no one speaks up, these pieces of history will vanish. Tbh, we need to tell local workers to look out for ghost signs before cleaning or painting.

Heads up, got into a weird standoff with a cafe owner for taking a photo of their wall's old coffee sign