Our tour begins as we leave the original section of Main Street, now known as Uptown Main Street, and enter the beginning of Downtown Main Street with the bakery storefront.

This 1950’s Oxline Paints porcelain enamel and neon sign inspired the paint store design.

The 1950’s R.H. Tugs tin and neon sign from Staten Island, NY (left) and a 1960’s 76 gasoline ball sign are also among two of the first signs you see in Downtown Main Street.

Made by the historic Flexlume Sign Co., this G & J Tires sign from 1927 is the oldest sign hung on a storefront in Downtown Main Street.

Loomis Camera from Elyria, OH — both the camera and the main identity — inspired the storefront to the ASM’s collections lab, which closely resembles the actual camera store that closed in 2012.

The 1950’s Stag Motel, originally located in Beaver, UT, came from the famous boneyard at YESCO’s Las Vegas plant. The sign had previously sat in the ASM’s parking lot for several years as it needed a large space to be displayed properly.

With its wrap-around design, the 1957 Clover Deli sign from Manhattan in New York fittingly marks the corner of Downtown Main Street to a side alley sign display.

The new theater space features a 1950’s-inspired lobby and bar area for events at the ASM.

One of the theater storefront windows showcases an homage to Signs of the Times through various awards and honors the magazine has received over the years.

The turn-of-the-century-style signshop will not only allow visitors to learn more about hand-painted signs and signpainters. It’s also a tribute to the late Bill Riedel who played a key role in the design and creation of the original Uptown Main Street in 2012.

The 1950’s Firestone sign and the 1967 Miller High Life billboard that once marked the end of the original Main Street now serve as the entry to the ASM’s event space and classroom.

A group of signpainters led by Jay Allen transformed a loading-garage door into a bustling turn-of-the-century cityscape filled with signs.

The founder and curator’s office was placed right on Downtown Main Street so that anyone with a question about the collection could knock on the door and ask Tod Swormstedt directly.

Designed by Elaine Wallis, the Snapper mural celebrates those signpainters who had quick styles and could whip up a sign in a snap. Snappers often traveled from town to town across the country.

The ASM’s new group entrance is illuminated by several neon signs including two Kaier’s Beer signs dating to the 1930’s.

A Cincinnati-area fan favorite, the Pops sign is back on display in the ASM’s new events area, the Gallery.

Originally from Toledo, OH, the 1930’s Roby’s porcelain enamel and neon sign now illuminates the ASM’s bar in the Gallery.

At 21 ft., Johnny’s Big Red Grill is the tallest sign on display in Downtown Main Street. Dating from the late 1940’s, the sign comes from Ithaca, NY and marked a popular spot for Cornell University students until it was taken down in 2009.

The group entrance alley displays several signs from 1900-1930 including the 1903 General Electric (GE) lightbulb sign.

Downtown Main Street is also known as the Swormstedt Family Wing in honor of the ASM founder, his forebears and their support. Make it a point to visit the ASM in Cincinnati — americansignmuseum.org — to experience more sign history than ever before.
— Mark Kissling

PHOTO CREDIT (THIS PAGE): NATALIE GRILLI