Vintage advertisements fading gracefully on old brick buildings make for a great photo backdrop. Also known as “ghost signs,” they are ghostly remnants of early billboards painted directly onto old buildings. A relic of the past, they are fading quickly. While the signs may no longer entice you to come in and shop their brand, they do make for some atmospheric backgrounds for a photo op. Grab your camera and head out for a day of treasure hunting searching for these hidden-in-plain-sight antiques while you can.
Jacksonville, OR
Cottage Grove, OR
Astoria, OR
Astoria is a treasure of old architecture and fading signs. The city celebrates its history by painting new old-looking murals down near the waterfront.
Albany, OR
Albany’s old historic downtown core has plenty of interesting architecture and areas to explore to keep any photographer busy.
Eugene, OR
Eugene has several old signs located in its downtown core. Check the alleyways for some of the best preserved ones.
Spokane, WA
Palouse, WA
Bellingham, WA
