This Everyday Object Is a Window to a Bygone Era
September 18, 2024
Source: Reddit
Perhaps, those of you who were born in the 60s or 70s can recall the Sunday car rides through the countryside or small towns and neighborhoods where one would see brick signs welcoming to any new district or subdivision. Your parents would arrive in the town square and there it would be – a red brick sign with white letters that stated the local bakery, post office and general store was where your childhood began. It was almost symbolic of the pride that these places had, in their existence; the signs were plain, and yet they conveyed a message of welcome to people who were visiting, and reassurance to those who lived there.
At that time, those bricks structures were not only the markers but the representation of something. Whether you were in a small time village or a newly constructed suburban area, a brick sign was there to let you know that you have entered a unique place. They usually bore the name of the locality or the district, or even of a monument which was inscribed on the brickwork, which was painted in red and which was made up of regularly arranged bricks. These signs were erected and quite solid; sometimes there would be well maintained flower beds or newly painted fences beside them.
This trend of using brick signs picked up in the mid 20th century when new suburban homes were being built all over the United States. Real estate developers aimed at establishing stability and sophistication of these new towns, and there was no better way to do it than to construct a brick sign. These were not just some large signs which have been put up in a rush; they were gateways to the districts, which had been designed with much attention.
In the 50’s and 60’s, with the development of new community and massive urbanization and encroachment of the city on ranch land and farms, brick signs were everywhere. They thus became the official “welcome mats” for both subdivisions, parks and business districts. While some of the more elaborately designed ones even had logos or symbols indicating the historical background of the area or the heritage of the locale. These brick signs were made to be long lasting – just as the societies they were a part of.
The above mentioned brick structures were not only the physical depiction of the given time but also portrayed the social norms of the society. After the post-war America we can talk about the period of growth, people’s optimism and togetherness. The construction of suburban neighborhoods in the 50s and the 60s was a response to the idea of the American dream; home ownership, protection, and togetherness. And these signs became silent keepers of that idea.
For some reason I found these brick signs to be rather welcoming and comforting. Unlike the today’s digital signs or flashy billboards, it had a sort of refinement and simplicity. You might remember how children used to assemble around them to wait for the school bus or how, in the course of the festive season, the local scout group used to hang garlands and lights around them. These signs were the context of every day life.
For most people, such brick signs are a thing of nostalgia. They were the indicators of a home; something that does not change with time. As the towns expanded and changed, those bricks signs remained, either painted or eroded, ivy-covered, but still defiant. They depict a period when people had strong ties with fellow people in the community and had a lot of pride in their locality. Seeing one today while driving could give you flashback of the good old days when things were not complicated and the pace of life was fairly relaxed.
The signs also tell a lot about the workmanship of the time. Bricklaying was a form of art and a lot of work had gone into constructing those structures. The firmness of a brick sign made one believe that the place represented by the sign was permanent. These were not the type of communities and settlements that exist for a short period of time or built for a short time use. The brick made a statement: ”We are here and we don’t mind being here.”
In the past few years, many towns have understood the value and the beauty of these brick signs. Some have decided to repair the old signs instead of installing new ones while others are constructing new signs that have the traditional appearance. It is for this reason that brick signs may never go out of fashion; there is a certain classic appeal that comes with a well crafted brick sign. It links the past with the present, and more importantly, it informs both the locals and the strangers about the history which played a significant role in formation of this city.
Therefore the next time you find yourself standing in front of one of these old brick signs, just take a moment to look at it. Just imagine the families who created their homes in those neighborhoods, the generations that associated that sign with their city and the hands of countless people who put each brick there. They are not only symbols, they are the voice of the places these signs are located in.
And if you are fortunate enough, you might get to live in a town or a local community where the brick sign still has not lost its importance and still stands proud, displaying the wear and tear of the years, as a symbol of home, community and belonging.