A sign of the times

I am a big fan of signage. Unfortunately, I don't always have my camera with me to capture them because I don't bring my backpack everywhere. Fortunately, others have taken it upon themselves to photograph some of the best signage my old hometown (Austin, MN) has to offer.

Behold... The Tranny Shop (via)

The old as hell Apollo Superette sign on Oakland Ave. W. (via)

An ancient McDonald's sign a couple blocks from Apollo (via)

And the much talked about (by me) Piggy Blues BBQ on N. Main St. in Austin, MN (via)
If you're down by Iowa, stop in (closed Sundays) and say Hi to Josh and Andrea.

Cool signs like these seem to be vanishing even though upon closer inspection Austin, Minnesota seems to be a haven for cool, historic and unique signage. What cool signs are their near where you reside? Have you seen any other McDonald's signs like the one here? Am I a total nerd for finding signs cool?

A photographic tour through SPAMTown USA

I often chide my old stomping grounds based on the absurd news that comes from there. With stories like a boy getting stuck inside a claw machine game and more prostitution (it seems) that you could shake a proverbial stick at, the "finer" things sometimes get overlooked. Here are just a handful of which I culled from the vastness that is Flickr.

Buffy the Cow

Iconic McDonald's sign

Old school southern Minnesota TV Guide (circa 1956)

Cultural center of my old hometown

The old school A&W Drive-In in northwest Austin, MN

The former Johnny's restaurant on N. Main St. in Austin making SPAM a constant presence

A fantastic (mostly) neon sign collection, many of which originate from Austin, MN