Old advertisements on sides of buildings. (New York, York: theatres, store, bus)

[Rachael84]

I always thought this was fascinating. Anyone else find it cool when they happen to notice a real old advertisement on the side of a building? I love riding around the city and noticing old worn away painted advertisements. It always makes me wonder how old they are. It's always fun trying to see what they say too.

I commuted to LI for my student teaching last spring, and I noticed out the window near the Jamaica station there was one. It said something like soda fountains and fixtures or something. I'm guessing that one is from the 50s. Then today I noticed when i was at the 31 st/Astoria blvd bus station that there were two of them. One of them, which was more clear, had the letters like "R-A" and some numbers. My fiance said that's how phone numbers were written a while ago. Then below that was a barely visible advertisement for genuine ale. I'm not really sure when either of those are from.

Anyone know where any others are? I would love to know, so I could keep my eyes open for them. I'm such a history buff, so I love seeing this old stuff.

[BXGEAR]

Check out the old buildings in industrial areas like L.I.C. or Chelsea. Also the transit museum have train cars that are show old advertisements.

[Rachael84]

Yeah, I went to the museum and saw all the old advertisements. I'll check the L.I.C ones when I'm on the N/W next time.

Anyone know of any others?

[Green Irish Eyes]

Check out the website Forgotten New York -- there's an entire section devoted to old advertising signs on the sides of buildings.

Great site!

[Frangi914]

Great site - thanks!!

[Rachael84]

I've been to site a number of times but never knew about that section, thanks :-)

[Alan B 718]

Sheepshead bay train station Manhattan bound side, there are signs from 1923 i believe.. shoe store and a few others. the signs are still up and visible.

[NooYowkur81]

Yeah I think that's really cool too. Gives you a taste of old New York.

[kimika]

thank you for this photo collection of old exterior advertising! i am an artist who has worked on restoring old theatres. I wonder if there is any funding (like maybe from the National trust for historic preservation...) to restore old ads...many small communities are restoring "old town" districts ----we should restore these advertising pieces of the past when possible---especially ones with cool graphics and images!

[Fred314X]

On Washington Avenue, just above Pacific Street (that's Brooklyn, for anyone unfamiliar with those names!) there's a building with a very old ad, done in white lettering on a blue background. It advertises "Reckitt's Blue," which was a laundry product sold in the late 19th century. I hope someone finds a way to preserve this ad!