I built this site to showcase my street sign and traffic light collection. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time or the space to physically display the collection. In the past, I photographed my signs and categorized them in a photo album to share with friends and family; I stopped doing that after I reached 200 signs — and 200 photos — at which point, rearranging the album became quite difficult. So, I decided to take my collection to the Web.
I also hope that this site is informational to other collectors, or to visitors who just want to learn more about street signs and traffic lights. I try to present accurate information so as to be a credible source about signs and signals (both past and present), as well as highway standards.
So, is this legal?
Well, my sign collection is legal. I get my signs in a variety of ways: from street departments before they scrap them at a recycling center; buy them from antique stores, flea markets; eBay; etc.
Yet, there are people who may find it hard to believe that I legally obtained this collection. So, let me break it down for you:
First, if I had 350 stolen street signs — easily costing the city tens-of-thousands of dollars to replace — do you think I would publish them on the World Wide Web, where everybody (police, FBI, my mom) would be able to view my stolen property? That would be like a burglar publishing a Web site that mapped all the houses he hit in the neighborhood.
Second, street departments outsmart sign thieves. They use fantastic theftproof hardware to mount signs nowadays — you need bolt cutters to remove theft-proof signs. (I know this not because I have tried to steal a theftproof sign, but because I am somewhat savvy on sign-fastening techniques. That’s how I get all the ladies.)
Third, can someone please tell me how one would go about stealing a traffic light? I wouldn’t even try. First, I don’t want to get electrocuted. Second, I am afraid of heights. I don’t care if it was a four-way Crouse Hinds with glass “Stop,” “Caution,” and “Go” lenses, I’m not climbing up there.
Not only does the guy have a great collection… but a great sense of humor. And he’s taken some very good photos of them, and combined them with a little history. A well designed site and not a brain crusher. A good example of simple design done well… and he does a great job of displaying his collection. What’s amazing are the hints that this isn’t even his full collection.
Tags: Interesting, Photographs, Weird
Pretty impressive collection and I do like his website layout. I glad he obtains these legally, some people think steeling street signs are cool.
With so many websites selling these signs why take the risk of getting caught or causing injury to someone by steeling signs.
Mike Austin
USA Traffic Signs