Among the many signs that drew my interest in Owatonna was this insurance agency sign. The bold colors and layered signage stood out. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
SIGNS, WHETHER HANDWRITTEN on a piece of paper or professionally made to mark a business, fascinate me. They reveal much about the heartbeat and history of a community.
Love this artsy sign.The curving arrow points me directly to Wagner’s. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
On a recent visit to Owatonna’s downtown, I photographed a collection of signs that caught my eye. I lean toward vintage, or those that appear vintage. I also lean toward unusual names and interesting fonts and art.
This candy shop and eatery has a lengthy history in Owatonna. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
Most people likely view a sign only as an identifier or source of information. Clearly not me. I see signage through the lens of a writer and a photographer.
Even if partially missing, I still appreciate the vintage charm of this sign. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
The Kitchen, a downtown Owatonna staple gathering spot. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
A catchy name for a bar. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
Every town, not just Owatonna, offers a potluck of signs, a feast for the eyes. All signs bring something to the table. Something that tastes of local flavor. And I’m not just talking food or drink, although certainly you will find plenty of that along North Cedar Avenue and other streets spoking off Owatonna’s main downtown artery.
This shows partial signage for Central Park Coffee and a mini owl mural, among several owls “hidden” in downtown Owatonna. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
It’s that time of year again, time for all things pumpkin as noted on this sandwich board. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
A long-standing pizza place along North Cedar Avenue. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
I’m also talking about the stories behind those signs. The people who own the businesses, run them, welcome customers inside for a cold one, a cup of coffee, a slice of pizza, a new pair of shoes, a pumpkin truffle, even an insurance policy. Signs are more, much more, than simply signs.
A mostly unreadable (at least to me) ghost sign. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
On the side of Owatonna Shoe is this painting of Princess Owatonna, after whom the city is named. A statue of the princess stands in Mineral Springs Park, the spring and princess being part of local lore. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
The long ago Roxy Theater is honored in the Main Street Mural in a downtown pocket park. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
Signs also hold history. Ghost signs, of which there are several in Owatonna, write of bygone days. Murals paint history, too, of the Roxy Theater and of Princess Owatonna and more.
And then I spotted this vintage gem on a building… (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo September 2024)
Wherever you live, whatever community you visit, I encourage you to pause, look and really see the signage. Appreciate the history. Consider the stories. Study the fonts and art. Enjoy the potluck of signs that flavor a place.
you found some great ones, Audrey. I love the fallout shelter sign, still standing strong, and the insurance agency one, almost looks mid-century style. and the ghost sign on the wall
Owatonna has some great and interesting signage for sure. If I was to return, and I will, I’ll look for more signs to share. Signs always draw my camera lens.
I always enjoy your posts about signs. It certainly makes me more aware of them. Some day maybe I”ll got a small town with the intent of looking for signs! 😉
Dog Pound Bar?!? Kudos to who came up with that name! Who does not like Pumpkin Iron if it involves a sweet treat – YUM 🙂 The Fallout Shelter sign and it stating in basement – good to know where you are going if that were to happen. I was at the dealership yesterday and they are renovating and expanding and their signage needed some major help. Stating Service in like 12 point font was not BIG enough to read – like a street sign size – highway sign size would have been so much better. Love checking out signage when out and about like you do. Happy Day – Enjoy
I agree with you about the name Dog Pound Bar. It’s memorable and that’s part of what you want in a business name. I can barely read 12 point font on my computer let alone a sign.
interesting signs! I got rid of so many old signs and mirrors with beer advertisements after my dad passed away. He was a truck driver who liked to stop and check out flea markets. One man’s junk is another mans treasure
Love the signs. Fallout Shelter! I got caught up in what led to those signs! My father was serving in the Air Force, The Bay of Pigs was going down, and military families were on edge. The Cold War was in full swing and it was feared that fingers were getting ti near the big red buttons! Civil Defense (forerunner of FEMA) classes were held on the base my father was at, once a week. Being the oldest, my mother insisted I accompany her to ALL of these classes. That and life events have kept me searching for solutions to have pre-stagged to ease discomfort and ensure safety of my family. Many people are better at it, have more money to make certain things happen or stuff to put aside. These signs also tell us where goods and services we many need can be found. I once had to create a sign – had 3 cartoon characters I painted all sitting around a bar having a cold beer. The purpose for the sign was to show where one could find the Avionics Shop was at in a large aircraft hangar. Each of the cartoon characters represented one of the 3 sub shops: Radar, Electric and ComNav (Communications / Navigation). Drinking beer was one of our favorite past times. What else does one do in a combat zone after working a 12-hour shift? Tourist?
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Signs are fascinating. That fallout shelter is equal parts interesting and horrifying.
Exactly right on the fall-out shelter sign. Sounds like you appreciate signs also.
you found some great ones, Audrey. I love the fallout shelter sign, still standing strong, and the insurance agency one, almost looks mid-century style. and the ghost sign on the wall
Owatonna has some great and interesting signage for sure. If I was to return, and I will, I’ll look for more signs to share. Signs always draw my camera lens.
i’m drawn to them as well
🙂
I always enjoy your posts about signs. It certainly makes me more aware of them. Some day maybe I”ll got a small town with the intent of looking for signs! 😉
Thank you, Valerie. The variety of signs out there is so interesting.
Dog Pound Bar?!? Kudos to who came up with that name! Who does not like Pumpkin Iron if it involves a sweet treat – YUM 🙂 The Fallout Shelter sign and it stating in basement – good to know where you are going if that were to happen. I was at the dealership yesterday and they are renovating and expanding and their signage needed some major help. Stating Service in like 12 point font was not BIG enough to read – like a street sign size – highway sign size would have been so much better. Love checking out signage when out and about like you do. Happy Day – Enjoy
I agree with you about the name Dog Pound Bar. It’s memorable and that’s part of what you want in a business name. I can barely read 12 point font on my computer let alone a sign.
interesting signs! I got rid of so many old signs and mirrors with beer advertisements after my dad passed away. He was a truck driver who liked to stop and check out flea markets. One man’s junk is another mans treasure
Oooh, I bet your dad had some interesting signs.
I do love seeing all the variety of signs –you found some really great ones.
I DID find some great signs. Thank you for appreciating them.
Love the signs. Fallout Shelter! I got caught up in what led to those signs! My father was serving in the Air Force, The Bay of Pigs was going down, and military families were on edge. The Cold War was in full swing and it was feared that fingers were getting ti near the big red buttons! Civil Defense (forerunner of FEMA) classes were held on the base my father was at, once a week. Being the oldest, my mother insisted I accompany her to ALL of these classes. That and life events have kept me searching for solutions to have pre-stagged to ease discomfort and ensure safety of my family. Many people are better at it, have more money to make certain things happen or stuff to put aside. These signs also tell us where goods and services we many need can be found. I once had to create a sign – had 3 cartoon characters I painted all sitting around a bar having a cold beer. The purpose for the sign was to show where one could find the Avionics Shop was at in a large aircraft hangar. Each of the cartoon characters represented one of the 3 sub shops: Radar, Electric and ComNav (Communications / Navigation). Drinking beer was one of our favorite past times. What else does one do in a combat zone after working a 12-hour shift? Tourist?
Gunny, I can just envision that sign. I certainly would have photographed it. It sounds like you brought a light-hearted moment to a tense situation.