Ghost Signs | The Fading History on St. Louis Walls

In this History Tellers video we explore the fascinating ghost signs of St. Louis. These faded painted advertisements were once bold and unavoidable reminders of everyday life. From Wrigley’s gum to the Mound City Buggy Company to local saloons, the walls of the city still carry these stories from a century ago. Photographer and “sign archaeologist”, William Stage, has dedicated his career to capturing these signs before time erases them completely. We also hear from Lonnie Tettaton a longtime sign painter who shares his firsthand experience of the craft. Together they bring history back to life revealing how these signs were made and why they mattered to the people who saw them daily. The ghost signs of St. Louis are more than old paint on brick; they are pieces of living history that continue to speak to us today. ‪@whoelseloveshistory‬ #historytellers #ghostsign #history #advertisinghistory Quick Ideas for Using the Video with Students: 1. Use the video as part of the introduction to a local history project with your students that has them investigate their community looking for ghost signs. What signs do they find and what history about your town do they learn from the signs? Have students create their own video that is a tour of their town featuring signs they have found and the history they have learned.