Painted Signs in Fayette County Texas 1938. (original) (raw)

	Coca Cola advertising car in front of Von Minden's Hatchery and Feed Store Location unknown

The era of the hand-painted sign went out in the 1960s with the introduction of plastic lighted signs. Today, when traveling through small towns one will occasionally get a glimpse of the sign painter�s art on forgotten brick walls. The men, known in the trade as �wall dogs,� traveled the roads and back roads of Texas providing signs for businesses ranging from grocery stores to cafes, pool halls, garages and sometimes water towers.

An album of photographs taken in 1938 was recently donated to the La Grange Chamber of Commerce. On display inside the former Fayette County jail, the fifty or so photos show the Coca-Cola �Advertising Car� which was actually a panel truck with an overhead ladder rack.

	Coca Cola advertising car in front of Plum Post Office

	Siebel's Cafe Location unknown.

	The "Advertising Car' en route to another job

The sign painter, whose identity is a mystery, chronicled his work from Giddings (Lee County) to La Grange, Plum, Schulenburg, and other towns that are unrecognizable and unidentified.

The painter was understandably proud of his work and he can even be seen in several of the photos.

The album offers a rare look at a time when towns were proud of their capacity for beer (�Another load of beer for La Grange�) and a big city store was savvy enough to include in their ad: "If your home town merchant can not supply you Shop at Joske's San Antonio."

	Pearl Truck possibly in Giddings (Lee County) "If your home town merchant can not supply you Shop at Joske's San Antonio."

Several drivers are visible with their rigs - which include Pearl Beer vehicles and Coca-Cola trucks. ... continue

The donor of the album - or anyone wishing to identify the talented painter may do so by contacting us.

July 23, 2004
� John Troesser