As I pointed out in my previous blog entries, there are quite a few vintage advertising signs painted on the sides on some of Detroit’s oldest buildings. Many of the once colorful and interesting signs have faded into the brick walls they have been painted on, leaving nothing more than a ghostly image of their intriguing illustrations and lettering. Some featured pastel colors, and others seemed to have had bold, vivid colors incorporated into their graphics, lettering and logos.
Probably at least 100 years old. A real work of art
While out bicycling in Detroit, I see many of these old ads scattered throughout the city. I’ve seen them on old abandoned restaurants, small machine shops, and older storefronts along the city’s main streets. Many of the 100 year-old brick buildings along the riverfront have ruminants of them, usually near the building’s roof line. The sides of vacant buildings within residential neighborhoods that once housed small mom and pop general stores and other specialty shops also have them.
Former neighborhood stove dealer with ad lettering that is barely visible
Nice variety of letter types
In earlier blog entries on the faded wall signs in Detroit, I noted that most of the vintage signs I’ve seen are slowly disappearing into the walls they are painted on. The sun has bleached them out, and the wicked weather of winter has stripped them of their once colorful highlights.
Here are a few more photos of the fading signs of Detroit that I’ve spotted on my recent bicycle rides throughout the city.
Enjoy!
Light pastel colors on this old wall ad
Machine shop sign is slowly fading away
Vintage metal sign probably had neon lighting
Below are links to past blog entries on the Fading Wall Signs of Detroit.
Remember, you can click on any image to view it larger.
Bikes, Books & a Little Music 