Signs, Signs

The year was 1971, and I can vividly recall cruising Laurel Shopping Center in my ’66 Chevy Impala from Mid-City Chevrolet while listening to the song “Signs” by the Five Man Electrical Band. Little did I know then that some 50 years later, my wife Martha and I would own a few from Laurel.

Signs are indeed everywhere. They become part of the landscape that we sometimes take for granted, not missing them until they’re changed or simply gone. I was reminded of this recently when the iconic Arby’s sign on Route 1 was removed.

When a business closes, its signs usually disappear quickly. More often than not, they’re scrapped with the building or its contents. Not all signs hold any real resale value the way a vintage neon advertising sign might; but when it comes from a particularly special place or time, it can be a powerful memory trigger of bygone days.   

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Pete Lewnes is a founding member of The Laurel History Boys, and a prolific collector of Laurel historical memorabilia from all eras.