Antique HISTORICAL Cast Iron Pennsylvania Keystone SIGN HUSTONTOWN, PA. Roadside

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THE SHIPPING SHOWN IS ONLY AN ESTIMATE. THIS IS LARGE AND HEAVY. DO NOT PAY UNTIL I SEND YOU AN INVOICE WITH THE CORRECT SHIPPING CHARGE. YOU PAY ONLY WHAT I PAY. This will ship UPS from 18353 in a box 44" X 28" X 12" and will weigh around 72 pounds. PICK UP IS WELCOMED.Outstanding antique cast iron Pennsylvania Keystone town marker sign in nice condition as shown. You don't see these very often and rarely in this condition. Some minor rust and a few very minor edge chips. Looks like the big set bolts on the mounting bracket will need to be replaced if you want to mount this on a pole. This measures 38" long X 20 7/8" tall X 5" deep and weighs over 60 pounds before packing. See photos and check out the other old items i have listed. NO E-CHECKS PLEASE. Created by PennDOT's predecessor, the Pennsylvania Department of Highways just after the First World War, the markers were products of the height of the “good roads� movement sweeping the nation. Founded in 1903, the Pennsylvania Department of Highways was of the earliest of such departments of any state in the nation and its markers were literally signs of Pennsylvania pride.One of the earliest turnpikes in the nation between Philadelphia and Lancaster was begun in 1793, and proved the financial advantages of a well-maintained highway. The first federally-funded interstate highway, the National Road, was constructed through the Commonwealth in 1811. In 1913, the Lincoln Highway Association was formed to build one of the first modern transcontinental roads, and its route would cross the length of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Turnpike, opened October 1, 1940, was considered to be the embodiment of the future of modern travel and set design precedents copied around the world. Many publications showcased the Keystone Markers as Pennsylvania's tell-tale; Indeed, it was the Keystone Marker program that cemented the keystone shape's association with the Commonwealth. This 1930 map from the Pennsylvania Department of Highways features the Lincoln Highway and the William Penn Highway and shows the pride the state once took in its system. Notice the keystone markers used in the legend at the lower left. (Map courtesy of Matt Hamel). This 1923 atlas image from the Best Roads of the United States atlas also features keystone markers in its legend (photo courtesy of Christian Busch).he historic "keystone markers" of Pennsylvania are made of cast iron. When new they were painted dark blue; the edge of the signs and the lettering were bright gold/yellow. They were mounted on a decorative fluted cast iron post that was also painted the same dark blue. These, of course, are the colors associated with Pennsylvania. Unlike modern town name signs which only give the name, these cast markers also gave the following information: distance to the next town, some bit of information about the derivation of the name, and the year in which the town was founded. Two "Danger" Keystone Markers The one on bottom is visible in the right-hand side of this photograph from 1932 of the Pennsylvania Railroad overpass adjacent to the Wayne train station. Photo courtesy of Greg Prichard. These markers were a project of, and were produced for and installed by the state Department of Highways, predecessor of today's Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The Department of Highways Biennial Report for the 1926 to 1928 period, viewed at the State Archives in Harrisburg, states: "The Department also makes a practice of marking the limits of boroughs with cast iron signs on which are a few facts as to the date the community was founded and the derivation of its name." No earlier reference to these markers has yet been found. Highway Department documents as late as 1943 continue to make reference to these "historical" signs. After that no such references are found, so it is logical to conclude that the program was discontinued around that time. Thus the "newest" of these markers are well over 60 years o... read more

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