Signs of Time
The beauty of the past is all around us. But as each day passes, that beauty has the potential to fade into obscurity- unless we choose to preserve it. Karen Moore, a retired nurse living in Dixieland, has made a hobby out of photographing vintage signs. Her own method of historic preservation, Moore is passionate about preserving the beauty and nostalgia found in the relics of a bygone era.
Moore’s journey of photographing vintage signs began here in Lakeland nearly 20 years ago. “These signs have caught my eye for years. About 20 years ago, I was walking up South Florida Avenue. It was a nice, cool January morning and the sky was beautiful. I walked from Dixieland up to Main Street and took pictures of those signs. They were so charming and special. Many of those signs are gone now. But by photographing them, it’s a way of historic preservation. Because once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.”
In 1989, Moore moved to Lakeland from Upstate New York. Now both Moore and her husband, who she met here in Lakeland, are retired- and quite the travelers. In fact, Moore has been to 49 of the 50 states, after just recently returning from Utah and being able to cross it off her list. The only state that remains is Maine, which is on the agenda.
“My husband always plans our trips,” says Moore. “All I get to do is show up. He’ll be looking up things like Bryce Canyon National Park in preparation for our travels, meanwhile I’ll be Googling “old signs Salt Lake City.”
The signs Moore photographs preserve the past. They represent an era of visual branding and advertising that has since evolved and changed quite drastically. What was once commonplace to have bold colors, strange shapes, and eye-catching fonts, has since been traded in for the modern trends of minimalistic branding and a more simplistic design approach. Sure, all designs serve their purpose in their respective times. But it goes without saying that the characteristics of these vintage signs Moore captures are not only conspicuous, but nostalgic. And they’re worth keeping around.
“When I’m traveling, you know, if I’m off the interstate, I’m happier,” says Moore. “Because then I’m on little roads that might have signs. And so my husband will say “You look on that side and I’ll look on this side.” We’re just scouring. We’re looking for signs the whole time. And there’s always new roads to travel, no matter where you go, which is what makes it exciting. It’s like a treasure hunt for me. It’s just so fun.”
Moore’s collection of photographs has grown immensely since she first began shooting vintage signs in Lakeland nearly 20 years ago, going from a handful of photos to hundreds. Some of her first sign photos were taken of Vito’s Italian Restaurant, Austin and Barnett Electric, and Bernice’s Ladies Apparel in Lakeland, all of which are gone now. Now, Moore has photos of vintage signs in countless states and cities all across the country.
“When I started I had maybe 13 photos of signs and now I’ve got a couple hundred,” says Moore. “And I just keep adding to the collection, you know? I might photograph 10 signs and maybe only 2 or 3 of them are worth printing, framing, selling, you know?”
There are various events and locations locally where you can find Moore’s photographs. Just recently, her work was featured in Mitchell’s coffee shop for a month-long stay. And in November, you’ll find Moore and her work at the Dixieland Alley Fest, an event Moore is working on with the Dixieland Neighborhood Association.
“It’s like a treasure hunt for me. It’s just so fun.”
“We used to have something called the Dixieland Spring Art Fest, which had been going on since 2013 until Covid happened. Now we’re bringing it back as the Dixieland Ally Fest on November 19th. It’ll have food, art, music and more, and will span the Dixieland alley from Dixieland Relics to Cob & Pen. It’s going to be a great time.”
Moore sells her art to those who might be interested in hanging it in their home or their business, but it’s never been her first priority. She has really just been interested in preserving these relics of the past, and having fun with it.
“People really enjoy seeing them, and that’s what motivates me more than anything,” says Moore. “I sell photos of these signs, but I really like people to see them. I don’t have a website. I don’t really care to. It’s not a part-time job for me. It’s a hobby. I don’t want a job. I just retired from a job. So I just want to do the fun parts of it. But if someone wants a print of one of my photographs, I’d love to get them that.”
“People really enjoy seeing them, and that’s what motivates me more than anything.”