Signs of the Times

My family just got back from a roadtrip to Wilmington, North Carolina.  All along the way, what seemed to capture our attention (or in some cases helped to pass the time on our 12 hour journey) were signs.  There were signs along the road, in the museums, posted at the beach--everywhere. 
I'm often drawn to antique and vintage signs and posters.  To me, nothing captures the sense of time and place quite like a sign.  They give us clues about the values and culture of the people in that time period.  Many become part of our collective memory.  For example, how many of you can picture the WWII posters of the women flexing their muscles to pitch in, or Uncle Sam pointing at "you".  

What will our signs say about us?




MY TOP FIVE SIGNS OF THE TRIP:

1. Your basic warning sign:

    2.    A warning of a different kind in downtown Wilmington...

  3.    At the boardwalk--A sign dedicated solely to addressing cigarette butts!

4.      The "Most Descriptive Inn Sign".....(They also managed to work a piece of scripture into their address.-Was it divine intervention that they were located at 316 Carolina Beach Avenue?)

5.       Perhaps my favorite, and the winner of  "Most Verbs Used in a Sign" goes to the North Carolina Aquarium...

Signs and posters available at http://www.hydrangearow.etsy.com/:

A vintage street sign:

A poster from WWII:

Two Midcentury signs: