Secret Signs of the Bay Area

After the 1906 earthquake, the reconstruction of the San Francisco Bay Area started immediately. But for close to two decades, the most afflicted neighborhoods would still resemble a jack-o-lantern’s smile — empty lots and construction zones peppering the cityscape. Capitalism being what it is, these voids offered a great advertising opportunity, providing extra surface area for signs and ads of all stripes.

These signs still exist. But as reconstruction filled in the last empty lots, the signs have been hidden away in backyards and in between buildings. No longer visible from the street, it requires a bit of creativity to get a glimpse of them.

The below signs were captured via Google Earth, submitted by residents, or photographed by myself.