Sometimes we don't pay close enough attention to the job that Mother Nature and her hired help (that would be us!) have done in scenicking the real world.

You've seen some of the finest of Schenectady's old architecture in Don Klose's threads. Here's a look at some parts of town off the beaten path, with an eye to a few details worth modeling.



A real-life "dinosaur" from the past. There's something to be said for lack of "progress" in a city in preserving some of the past. I'd say Coke has gotten its money's worth over the years with this sign. No sure though about the advertising claims, or the wisdom of painting a price on a wall. I guess nobody expected inflation back then. Remember "Blue Stamps"?




I'm afraid its days are numbered as it sits alone with its neighbors long since demolished:





Foliage is past peak in upstate NY, but here's a reminder that it isn't only the trees that show the colors of the season:





We also seldom get as artistic as Mother Nature does in arranging vines on the sides of buildings:





We get upset if we don't have enough of one style of siding left to complete a building project. That didn't seem to matter to the owners of this building through the years:





Then there is the question of what to do with that one structure that doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of town. Open a bar! Schenectady's Dutch roots are apparent in this one:




More later.

Jim

Thanks for sharing that, Jim.

That Coke signs in pretty good shape for as old as it is.

Jim:

Thanks for the memories. The green building once housed "The Schenectady Herald Printing Company" which ended it days as a job print shop. At one time the company published a german language newspaper for the area's then larger German population.

Tony
A font of useless knowledge
Up on "The D & H Bridge Line"

Tony or Don,
Do you know if that Coke sign on Broadway was ever restored at some time in its history? Like Vulcan said, it looks to be in pretty good shape, particularly since it faces south and gets a lot of sun.

Jim

.

.....Jim, thanks for all the great photos I really like the one of the vines turning fall colors. I didnt ever think about that. [We dont get a lot a that out here in Californy].

......Got a few for you. These remind me of some of our model buildings.




...This one reminded me of a power house, I think on Sirt's great layout.

Boy that Coke sign looks great. Too bad no one advertises that way any longer.

Never heard of blue stamps, but clearly remember S&H green stamps. And my uncle smoked some type of cigarettes that had a similar type of redeemable coupons in them. Chesterfields, maybe? My old man smoked Lucky Strikes.

Jim

Can ayone make out the faded sign below the coke sign?

It looks like it says:

Buffalo Store
Dealer in Ladies (&) Gents Garments, maybe? That would make more sense.

That's some more good pictures, Jeff.

Here's a better view, Vulcan.




That's it, I think. I'll have to stop by and take a close-up look for the last lines - something about boots, etc. The fact that this part of the sign is so faded makes me think that the Coke part was re-done at some time.

Jim

Thanks, Jim! Yeah, I can see 'clothing" now.

The Coke sign paint probably has lead in it.

Jim:

I don't remember a Coke sign repainting, but I don't get down to Broadway that often. Perhaps Don remembers.

The sharp appearance of the Coke sign in contrast to the faded nature of the lower sign suggests a repainting. The area to the left of the store where the cars are once (perhaps as late as the '80)was occupied by another building of at least two stories.The building were separated by a narrow alley (where the garbage bins are). I've been trying to think of what originally occupied the Coke sign building but I'm drawing a blank.

Tony
A font of useless knowledge
Up on "The D & H Bridge Line"

quote:

Originally posted by jaabat:
Boy that Coke sign looks great. Too bad no one advertises that way any longer.


Jim

Sometimes we do. Just down the road from me.



http://www.coca-colaconversati...ntiac-illinois-.html

That's a great sign and building, Jim. Lots of cool detail on those buildings Jeff. Thanks for sharing the photos, guys.

Dennis

Jim,

I remember Raleigh cigarettes having Raleigh Coupons.

quote:

Originally posted by Paulinskill:
Jim,

I remember Raleigh cigarettes having Raleigh Coupons.

Oh, ok, maybe it was Raleigh cigarettes. It was a long time ago. He used to keep all those coupons in a huge brandy snifter.

I wonder if the bottom part of that sign is faded from having snow pushed up against it through the years.

I was just doing a Google search for vintage signage for a new building we have, and that sign came up.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Policastro:
Here's a better view, Vulcan.




That's it, I think. I'll have to stop by and take a close-up look for the last lines - something about boots, etc. The fact that this part of the sign is so faded makes me think that the Coke part was re-done at some time.

Jim

The sign below the Coke sign is for the Buffalo Store- Dealers in Ladies and Gents Clothing, Furnishings,Boots, Shoes Branch Stores everywhere(Long Gone) now the home of Eastern Typewriter. My favorite is the sign on the Building down on the Corner next to the empty lot. Building in between tore down in the 90's.



Get a Biscuit and then the next sign Get a Coke for 5 cents. Great Marketing!!!




As for this Gem, Slick's Tavern another addition on an addition. Great sandwiches and THE official hangout for the local Police. Great Thread Jim and happy Railroading everyone!!!-Don Klose

This stuff is so cool and brings back so many memories of growing up in NY state. I remember as a child going into Buffalo and see all those old signs painted on building. Kind of makes me homesick!

So "Thanks for the memories"!

Jim , I think thanx for pics they are great ,thanx for the post. bobby

Jim[/QUOTE]




Get a Biscuit and then the next sign Get a Coke for 5 cents. Great Marketing!!!

i guess the sign painted under the Uneeda Bisquit sign for "Kpuzinautosales.com" will be a memory for someone 50 years from now...lol
the photo points out the old and new

This thread is a winner, Jim! You are so right...The real world isn't perfect and neither should we. Varying the siding on a building can be prototypical!

Here's a couple of shots I've taken over the years.

From Blackstone, VA:


From Center City, Philadelphia:



Peter

BTW...if any of you are interested in the story of Coke, I recommend "The History of the World in Six Glasses" By Tom Standage. He tells the story of the world through six beverages: beer, wine, distilled drinks, coffee, tea and Coke.

Real cool idea for a thread Jim, I have been looking for signage ideas for a few buildings I am almost finished with and this gives me inspiration.

Paul