A few weeks ago I was made aware of some facades in the city of York that contained old painted signage from former businesses. They were incredible to research and brought back many memories on the Preserving York group on Facebook.
Ever since I wrote that story I’ve been on the hunt for more samples from around the area. While walking around Hanover’s downtown I found far more than I had anticipated, and I’m happy to share a few that contain simplistic features here.
Be prepared for additional stories this week that will include more signage from Hanover. There were far too many to share in a single story.
Perrow’s Linoleum Shop
To start out with something basic, note the painted word “linoleum” on the corner of this building at 128 Baltimore Street. This building was once used by Perrow’s Linoleum Shop, shown in a 1948 edition of the New Oxford Item. The exact years of its operation are unknown.
On the left of the word linoleum, it appears there was another word present at one time, possibly “Perrow’s. The word, whatever it was, has faded from existence.
The building is currently used by Centrello Inc., a lead generation business.
Hanover Homing Club
I’m not going to lie to you, but I was extremely lucky to find this sign. While cutting through an alley to go around the block, it was suddenly right there staring me in the face. If you’d like to see it for yourself, it can be found at the intersection of Long Lane and Charles Center. If you have no idea where those alleys are located, they’re in the block surrounded by Stock, McCosh, North, and Charles Streets.
Hanover Homing Club Inc. is for those with an interest in raising and racing pigeons. Don’t knock the sport, because pigeon fanciers take this sport seriously. My uncle has raised pigeons as long as I remember, and he cares for each and every one of his birds.
As the sign indicates, the club was founded in 1899, charted in 1931 by the A.R.P.U. (American Racing Pigeon Union), and incorporated in 1957 when this property was purchased. An email address used to contact a local member of the club was returned and is apparently no longer valid. This club was still in operation as recently as 2011, but its current status is unknown.
Eastern States Farmer’s Exchange
This barely-recognizable “Eastern States Farmer’s Exchange” sign can be found the corner of Gail and Alkowalt Avenue, behind the Hanover Market. There is a Style Line Kitchens sign on the railing, which probably uses the property as a warehouse.
Eastern States Farmer’s Exchange seems to have been a cooperative store that served the local agricultural community. In 1964 the business merged with Grange League Federation Exchange and formed Agway, one of the largest agricultural cooperatives in the United States.
It’s not known when ESFE was in operation at this location, but it is listed in Hanover’s 1963 bicentennial program.
More to come…
This brief story was meant to give you a taste of the unique signage found in downtown Hanover. I chose to include some of the basic examples today, but more will be coming this week. The signs above prove one thing, sometimes simple IS better.
Do you have memories of these businesses (and club)? If so, please share with other by including your comment below.
NOTES
- I’m still on the hunt for more local signage from yesteryear. If you know of any throughout York County, please contact me.
- The Preserving York group on Facebook is waiting for you to join. What are YOU waiting for?
[...] Post navigation ← Introduction To Hanover’s Vintage Signage – Simple Is Better [...]
[...] one story, “Introduction To Hanover’s Vintage Signage – Simple Is Better“, I wrote about a few basic signs used for a linoleum business, agricultural cooperative [...]
[...] 2012 I enjoyed visiting York and Hanover to document some of the vintage signage scattered along the streets. The example below is in Hanover at the York Street – Broadway [...]