“The History and Revival of Ghost Signs in Atlanta: Vintage Hand-Painted Advertising and Distressed Wall Art”Ghost signs—those faded, hand-painted advertisements lingering on old brick buildings—are silent storytellers of urban history. In Atlanta, these vintage murals offer a glimpse into the city’s commercial past, reflecting a time when wall-painted ads were a primary mode of marketing. Ghost signs emerged in the late 19th century and remained prevalent through the mid-20th century. Painted directly onto building facades, these signs advertised products ranging from tobacco and soft drinks to clothing and household goods. The artists, often referred to as “wall dogs,” used oil-based paints—sometimes containing lead—which contributed to the signs’ surprising longevity. Over time, as businesses closed or changed and new advertising methods like billboards, neon, and eventually digital media took over, these signs were left to fade, becoming “ghosts” of their former selves.
Atlanta’s urban landscape still holds many of these fading relics. On Peachtree Street at Third Street, once-hidden ghost signs were revealed after building demolition, with words like “floor coverings” and “blinds” still barely readable, hinting at the building’s previous tenants. On Auburn Avenue, tornado damage uncovered a ghost sign for Gold Dust washing powder, a rare piece of early 20th-century commercial art. Another iconic example is the Hotel Roxy building, where a striking ghost sign remains, offering a window into Atlanta’s architectural and economic evolution.
Preserving and celebrating ghost signs has become a passion for many photographers, urban explorers, and historians. In a rapidly transforming city like Atlanta, documenting these signs is a way to honor the layered narratives written across its walls. Online collections and articles help bring awareness and visibility to signs that might otherwise disappear with time and development.
Today, there is a growing movement to re-create ghost signs—both as a form of urban nostalgia and as a stylistic branding tool. Artists and businesses are commissioning new murals that pay homage to the hand-painted sign tradition. These contemporary ghost signs are often designed to mimic the weathered look of their predecessors, using specific painting techniques like dry-brush methods, matte finishes, or careful distressing to give them a vintage feel. Some artists even study historical fonts, old color palettes, and layer textures to create an authentic aesthetic. Using modern, non-toxic paints and sealants, these signs can last for years while staying true to the spirit of the originals.
In this way, ghost signs continue to evolve—not just as remnants of history but as living art, blending craftsmanship, nostalgia, and storytelling on the surfaces of our cities.