Historic Signs

Photography and text by David Day

In a simpler day before TV and the internet, merchants used the “broad side of the building” to advertise their wares. Often it was a simple Hotel Sign hung above the door, or their name etched in masonry. Later neon lead the way to the bar or the gas and repair shop. For the last year or so I have prowled the back alleys looking for what remains of these grand advertisements. Here are a few examples. “Boise Junk” says everything you need to know without flashing lights or celebrity announcers. Before we “malled” America, the Geo. A Anderson company offered Dry Goods, Millinery, Apparel etc. to farmers and city folk alike. Boise, hub to the mining, agricultural, and retail trade for this part of the Northwest, was built on the small owner-owned store. These pioneers could repair a radio or a shoe with “trade craft” almost forgotten. As the grandson of a sign painter (guess he would be called a “Graphic Artist” now and a land agent (Realtor!), I find the remnants of these signs a fascinating link to our past. Even as they slowly rust, crack and fade, they hold a certain dignity the pride of both the sign painter and the merchant.

1_olympic_hotel — The Olympic Hotel always in the shadow of it’s more famous Main Street neighbor the Idanha. The “O” held on long past it’s prime and was one of the last of the downtown “boarding” hotels to close.

Geo. A. Anderson Even with the store years gone, this sign still commands attention. — **Geo. A. Anderson**
Even with the store years gone, this sign still commands attention.

Bouquet Lights This sign once hung in the window of the “old” Bouquet across the street and up a block from its current location. Imagine the tales it could tell. — **Bouquet Lights**
This sign once hung in the window of the “old” Bouquet across the street and up a block from its current location. Imagine the tales it could tell.

Boise Junk One’s Boise Junk was another's treasure. The directness of this sign is a delight. — **Boise Junk**
One’s Boise Junk was another’s treasure. The directness of this sign is a delight.

Boise Gallery The Old Boise Gallery entrance make its own artistic statement. — **Boise Gallery**
The Old Boise Gallery entrance make its own artistic statement.

Guard Dog Can’t you hear the blood hounds howl on the scent of a convict running from the old Idaho State Pen? — **Guard Dog**
Can’t you hear the blood hounds howl on the scent of a convict running from the old Idaho State Pen?

Nicks Shoes /Nicks Boots Two sides of the back entrance of a Boise tradition. Sadly, this store is gone too. — **Nicks Shoes/Nicks Boots**
Two sides of the back entrance of a Boise tradition. Sadly, this store is gone too.

Boise Music This treasure still hangs on in the alley behind Dawson Taylor Downtown. — **Boise Music**
This treasure still hangs on in the alley behind Dawson Taylor Downtown.

Veltex A beacon on old State Highway 20-21. Newly restored, this beauty still shines. — **Veltex**
A beacon on old State Highway 20-21. Newly restored, this beauty still shines.

Idanha-gem Looking backward and forward at the same time. — **Idanha-gem**
Looking backward and forward at the same time.

Hotel /Olympic The Olympic Hotel, always in the shadow of its more famous Main Street neighbor the Idanha. The “O” held on long past its prime and was one of the last of the downtown “boarding” hotels to close. — **Hotel /Olympic**
The Olympic Hotel, always in the shadow of its more famous Main Street neighbor the Idanha. The “O” held on long past its prime and was one of the last of the downtown “boarding” hotels to close.