Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Unique Road Signs and Business Signs

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Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 08-03-2003, 11:17 PM:

While I was in Wisconsin, I noticed some signs I could not resist for picture taking. Here are three of them.

This one was on a building at 21st and Hamilton Street in Manitowoc.

Mark spoke of this one....

Only in Wisconsin.... [Big Grin]

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 08-03-2003, 11:50 PM:

I can see those bottles from the apartment. They are on the building right next to us. Actually, looking out the window those damn bottles are all I see because they're lit up all night and now I have to look at them on Film-Tech?!?!? What the h-e-double-hockey stix!!! [Big Grin]

Paul you missed the Piggly Wiggly thats open from something like 6:03AM-10:02PM [Smile]

Posted by John Scott (Member # 520) on 08-04-2003, 12:01 AM:

Peter's Pantry is a charity food shelter in Manitowoc.

The Bud Bottles on the Anheiser Busch grain elevators are something you can see all the way down Washington street (Like 20-25 blocks away) were actually repainted within the last 10 years. If you can believe it, the older painted version looked worse.

Rachel> Larry's Piggly Wiggly has had weird hours like that for years. (My folks lived about 3 blocks away from there) We asked when they originally made the change why they did that, and the response was, "It will make our hours more memorable to the customers, and since we're around until after 9pm anyway (At the time it was 606 to 909) for shoppers already in the store, we might as well add the extra minutes.

Granted even with those hours they'd open at 6am, and not let anyone new into the store after 9pm. Not sure if that has changed.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-04-2003, 12:16 AM:

At least we didn't see the tyranny of Arial distorted out to hell or any other obvious instances of "font murder" in those sign pictures.

Speaking of funny sign photos, I was glad I had a digital camera handy when I saw this example of vehicle graphics vandalism (some practical joker obviously had access to a vinyl cutter to pull off this job; I don't know what he was thinking in peeling away some of the letters in the tagline -can't make sense of it anyway). I swear this image is not Photoshopped. We called Penske immediately after taking the picture though.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-04-2003, 12:42 AM:

That really does look Photoshopped, Bobby, but I know it's not. Perhaps it is the effect of a digital camera vs a film camera or something. But the letters (not just the "penis" but many of the other words as well) look pasted on. Did you "sharpen" the image in Photoshop at all? That could account for it.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 08-04-2003, 05:32 AM:

When I first came to California, I saw this sign near the immigration checkpoint on I-5 north of Camp Pendleton:

At first I thought it was kind of funny. Then later I learnt that it had been put there because people who smuggled in Mexicans had left them in the middle of nowhere to avoid the checkpoint. The confused families had tried to cross the freeway and there had been several bad accidents.

Posted by Christopher Duvall (Member # 284) on 08-04-2003, 07:01 AM:

This is a photo I snapped while on a trip in California. I was with a group of managers in my district for a NATO meeting. While cruising on over to the hotel I saw this detailing place and could not resist...

Posted by Don Bruechert (Member # 1538) on 08-04-2003, 08:41 AM:

John,

The "Budweiser" silos have not been repainted. Those are actually huge chunks of that nylon/plastic banner material with the image screened onto them using inks that have a 5 - 10 year duration outdoors. It was extremely interesting (living right across the street) to watch them put them on. They have a huge metal "slot" attached at the top and bottom for each piece to slide into, and they used a huge crane to get them up there. There are 3 pieces - each beer bottle is one complete piece. The funny part was watching them trying to attach those "giant flags" to the side of the building in the wind... needless to say, it took them a while!! I think the project was done 3 or 4 years ago if I recall correctly - when you get "old" time moves faster than it does when you're a young pup... I'm sure it's not much longer than that, as I have only been living in my apartment for 6 years.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-04-2003, 01:40 PM:

Scott Norwood has a good one on his website that shows a road sign saying "Left Turn", but with an arrow pointing right. I've always loved that one. I think he took it himself.

Maybe he will post it here?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-04-2003, 06:00 PM:

Joe,

The "mosquito noise" happening around the "go penis" letters is just an artifact of JPEG compression. The original image is a 3.1 megapixel picture, far too large to post in here. I saved it at "60" quality. Any lower than that and the detail around the lettering really goes to shit.

At any rate, the letters were quickly slapped on the truck. When I first saw it I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. "Nah, the trailer can't say that," I muttered. But as I drove closer, it did indeed have a dirty yet funny message.

I feel sorry for any business that actually has that toll free number: 1-800-467-3647.

Posted by Nicholas Roznovsky (Member # 861) on 08-04-2003, 09:02 PM:

It would appear that 1-800-GO-PENIS belongs to "The Overman Companies". I don't know what they do, but the lady who does their recording doesn't sound too excited about her job. Can't be what we all think it is. [Wink]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 08-06-2003, 05:48 PM:

Oh, well...since the thread died, I might as well add a little spice to it. I designed it myself. It is designed for hand-to-hand combat.

I sent a picture to S&W some time ago, but they were kind of "stiff lipped" and never answered the email. Maybe I should send it to Michael Moore. [evil]

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-06-2003, 06:12 PM:

Ah, don't sweat it, Paul. Most people don't find my "Polish Roulette" joke very funny either (Russian Roulette with a loaded .45 semi-auto handgun).

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 08-07-2003, 11:41 AM:

This one is nationally famous. It's been published in National Lampoon's True Facts. It has also been shown on the old TV show, Real People. (Aired in the late 70's.)
BTW: The monument predates the restaurant by at least 30 years.

Next, is one I stumbled on while on the way to take the first one. Adds new meaning to the phrase, "Assault and Battery"!

Finally, I took this picture of a place I drive by every day on the way to work. I wonder if the owner of the business realizes how many people are laughing at her and wondering what REALLY goes on inside!

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-07-2003, 12:14 PM:

The Amigone (Am I Gone???) Funeral Homes in Buffalo NY have some ironic signs, given their name:

http://www.amigonefuneral.com/default.htm

http://www.amigonefuneral.com/locations.htm

Posted by Matt Hale (Member # 1518) on 08-07-2003, 01:06 PM:

This one's been around the net for a while:

Also, I dont have a photo, but there is a Vietnamese restaurant here in Vancouver with the unfortunate name of Pho Bch Nga - I'll leave it up to you how you want to pronounce that. [Big Grin]

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 08-07-2003, 01:55 PM:

There was a sign at the Clewiston Inn in Clewiston, FL that read: "Free Breakfast And Room: $50" [Razz]

=TMP=

Posted by Ron Keillor (Member # 1790) on 08-07-2003, 03:48 PM:

from Expo in Vancouver 1986
The "queue" = the pigtail that was a sign of servitude, and was abolished in the early 1900's. Sort of like an Indian restaurant describing itself as "untouchable"

Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 08-07-2003, 05:42 PM:

I saw this carwash sign on the way to work early one morning, re -written by some opportunistic prankster during the night:

This past Easter, I was driving to my parents' home, and this sign just struck me as odd:

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 08-07-2003, 06:59 PM:

I saw a couple of "letter arrangements" of some signs now and then. In Port Orchard, there was a sign advertising "GLASS INSERTS" (Maybe Jack will remember this one....it was about 7 years ago)...anyway, the "GL" was removed so the sign read "ASS INSERTS"

In Mount Vernon (about 10 years ago) there was a sign advertising "PRESSURE WASHING" Some letters were removed and the remaining letters were arranged to read "PUSSE WASHING"

Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 08-07-2003, 07:28 PM:

That's funny, Paul. Non-destructive Improv Graffiti. I'm glad I snapped the top picture when I did, because shortly after the carwash opened that day, the sign was restored to its original "SAVE BIG BUCKS."

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 11-04-2003, 10:34 PM:

Only in Texas.... [Big Grin]

Took this picture in a small town in Northern Texas when I went to visit Brad. [Smile]

As an edit, I tweaked it up a little so it looks more authentic. [Smile]

[ 11-05-2003, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Paul G. Thompson ]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-04-2003, 11:48 PM:

Ahh... Dumbass, Texas. A town where true dumbasses live. They do have a KFC, though. And a stoplight.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 01-12-2004, 02:13 PM:

Here is a picture of a sign I took in Market Town outside the main gate of NAS Whidbey after a doctor's appointment. Thought you might get a laugh out of it. Especially Phil Hill.

Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 01-12-2004, 03:45 PM:

When I started working at the theatre in Oak Harbor, some kids got on our roof and rearanged our marquee to have us show "Final Fat Ass" and "Ass Park III" Some axle grease strategially placed on the low roof parapet kept them from getting back up there again!

-Adam

Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 01-12-2004, 04:13 PM:

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 01-13-2004, 12:50 PM:

Oh my!

That last one reminds me of the joke that goes:

"If we're not supposed to eat animals, how come they're made of meat?"

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 01-14-2004, 05:51 PM:

=TMP=

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-16-2004, 10:45 AM:

Greg, that's great! Hahaha!

When I lived in Lexington, KY in the early 80s, there was a downtown cafe called GRABASS'. They wanted you to pronounce it GRAB-uh-sus, but of course, everyone called it grab ass. Needless to say, it wasn't around very long.

I know it was probably the guy's real name, but you have to wonder what goes through some people's minds...

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-16-2004, 11:53 AM:

A town in Austria:

Sign below says: "Please - not so fast"

>>> Phil

Posted by Kyle Caudill (Member # 1252) on 01-16-2004, 01:22 PM:

Deposit or Withdrawl?

I got this at a dog show...

Posted by Tal Marks (Member # 175) on 01-16-2004, 08:23 PM:

This photo was taken in Park Slope, Brooklyn last year.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-17-2004, 02:50 PM:

>>> Phil

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 01-18-2004, 04:49 PM:

....and I thought chicken crap was chicken crap. [Eek!]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-18-2004, 05:59 PM:

I like the multi-language touch for the eggs...

But, in any language, chicken shit is still chicken shit! [Razz]

>>> Phil

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 01-18-2004, 06:03 PM:

Phil, you and I don't fully agree on many issues, but I 100% agree with you about chicken shit being chicken shit. [Big Grin]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 02-26-2004, 09:33 PM:

Only in Washington State... [Big Grin]