“signs” is the longest of the themed projects I have going. It started around 1993 in Richmond, VA and really developed when i moved to Tempe, AZ in 1996. The American Southwest is (or was?) a hotbed for unique signage. Most of it at “mom and pop” establishments, and much of it has vanished with the influx of people to that area . The early images were originally 645 film photos which were digitized in the early 2000s. Most of the other images were made on
signs
cross country trips. On these trips I would make half the journey on whatever interstate highway made sense (for expedience sake) and the other half on a state or national road (for the images I could find.) If it was a round-trip, on the way back I would reverse the process, using state or national roads on the section where I had previously used interstate highways.
Deserama Mobile Ranch Mesa, Arizona
Starlite Motel, E. Apache Trail, Mesa, Arizona
"American Owners" Oak Park Inn, Glynn Ave, Brunswick, Georgia
"Real Mexican Food" Libby's El Rey Cafe 999 N. Broad St, Globe, Arizona
The Little Chef (permanently closed) Williamson Rd, Roanoke, Virginia
Chicken House (closed & removed) Radford St., Christiansburg, Virginia
Parkette Drive In New Circle Rd, Lexington, Kentucky
Motel Parakeet, Center St, Rogersville, Missouri