Signs Of The Times

farlymac

farlymac

PF McFarland
Local time
9:42 AM
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
7,657
Roanoke, VA is known for many things, one of them being it's array of outdoor advertising. Some signs are so iconic, they have been lovingly restored to past glory, and placed in prominent positions. Others are newer, but mimic the style of yesteryears.

Shot with a Konica C35EF3 on expired (12/2009) Fuji Superia 200. Commercially developed and scanned, with post processing in PSE8.


Skyline by br1078phot, on Flickr
Rushing home before the rain, folks are presented with an array of advertising, old and new.


Uneeda by br1078phot, on Flickr
Roanoke has a program to renew the old painted on brick signs from yesteryear. Looks like Pepsi hasn't coughed up their donation yet. Over the top of the lot attendants shack you see a sign for Ewald-Clark Photography. They had a wonderful shop in this building, and an amazing camera collection on display, with the star being an Ur Leica. The founders of the company turned the business over to their sons, who eventually sold the chain to Ritz, but the collection was still under family ownership. A few years ago, Ritz found themselves in dire straights, and pulled out of Roanoke. The camera collection was sold off at auction, as the family no longer had an interest in keeping them.


Dr. Pepper No 3 by br1078phot, on Flickr
One of the two iconic signs that define Roanoke is the Dr. Pepper lighted Cap (you can even buy a scale version that hooks up to your holiday lights). It, and the H&C Coffee sign were removed from the buildings they were on due to a demolition project, and placed on other buildings after being rebuilt. It was quite a job, and the original company that installed them is still around, and did the restoration work also.


CommunityHigh School by br1078phot, on Flickr
CHS had been housed in the basement of one of the downtown office buildings, and needed some better space. This old warehouse was rehabbed for the school, and apartments were also added to the top two floors. Big Lick is the original name for Roanoke, VA. It came from the fact that the areas lower places were salt licks frequented by deer and other creatures. The flat where the N&W East End Shops were built (just behind here) was known as East Lick.


City Market by br1078phot, on Flickr
The City Market signage was added to the Coca-Cola sign that already existed, and is actually a very nice dark green that unfortunately doesn't show well in this photo.


Overhang by br1078phot, on Flickr
This building has seen many businesses come and go, but through them all, the overhang advertising the address has been a constant.


NS East End Shops by br1078phot, on Flickr
Even the railroad got into the act, erecting this large sign on the side of the steam plant. Highly visible from downtown and I-581, it was a show of pride for the many thousands of men and women who worked for NS over the years. It replaced the original N&W sign that was built on a latticework frame. But now many of the jobs are gone, either moved to other locations, or outsourced to other companies. Still, the Roanoke Shops are the best on the system for what they do.


Rolling Billboard by br1078phot, on Flickr
Nice way to keep an old antique busy. Missing the bowtie, but this Chevy is looking good. '65 I think.

PF
 
Great color for the subject and nice story to go along with the images, thanks for sharing. I just got a little more excited for the roll of expired Superia 200 in my Yashica T3.
 
I love working the Roanoke area. I love seeing those signs & the H & C coffee looks really cool at dusk. I work the downtown Firestone & shot this across the street with my Canonet. Didn't come out too well but it's a neat building.

Been wanting to plan a day trip to Roanoke to do some shooting in the downtown area. The people look very interesting. I'm shooting for this summer.
 
gb hill said:
I love working the Roanoke area. I love seeing those signs & the H & C coffee looks really cool at dusk. I work the downtown Firestone & shot this across the street with my Canonet. Didn't come out too well but it's a neat building.

Been wanting to plan a day trip to Roanoke to do some shooting in the downtown area. The people look very interesting. I'm shooting for this summer.
Click to expand...

Greg, shoot me a PM when you come, we'll do a shoot-out.

PF
 
Thanks to Rob, 35mmdelux, Noll, and Greg for the kind comments. And Noll, I've been shooting expired film for quite a while, and find that todays film really lasts compared to twenty-thirty years ago. Even better if it's been refrigerated or frozen.

PF
 
Love Roanoke -- one of my favourite cities in Virginia

NorfolkSouthern2.jpg
 
I had lost this thread which I just saw now. Beautiful photographs with interesting explanations, thanks. I hope to see more.
robert
 
Great sunset shot, Vince. You, me, and GBHill need to get together sometime. Thanks, Robert. I usually post stuff in different forums, and hadn't been back here for a while. My latest Critique/Salon posting (Implements of Construction) hasn't gotten a peep out of anybody though. And you might not have seen this one if some spammer hadn't glommed onto it, and brought it back to life. I don't know why a moderator hasn't acted on my multiple requests to clear things up here.

PF
 
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