Unless restoration work is done soon, the historic Home of the Mt. Pleasant Tigers sign that has faced the old Tiger Field from the back of the former Riddle Street High School gym for over 50 years is fading into history and will become a memory like the games that were once played on the field it faces.
This photo was darkened considerably to bring out the sign's details. Is anyone interested in saving the sign or does Mt. Pleasant really care? It will be interesting to see.
The Bull Durham Sign
The Bull Durham sign on the north side of Jo's Antiques at 100 North Jefferson, like the Dr Pepper sign on her south wall, is a link back to Mt. Pleasant's past when the building was once a grocery store. The Bull Durham sign is very old and has never been preserved. The weather has taken quite a toll on it.
Jo told us that it was not preserved at the same time that the Dr Pepper sign was because the Bull Durham sign advertises tobacco products. While its true that it does advertise tobacco which has now become very politically incorrect, tobacco was a part of our nation's and town's history.
We feel that the Bull Durham sign is worthy of consideration for preservation, not to promote the use of tobacco, but because it is every bit as much a part of the town's history as the Dr Pepper sign. We feel that if you haven't noticed the television ads and other warnings against tobacco use that flood the media nowdays, a sign isn't going to have any influence on your decision to use it or not to.
The Bull Durham sign, like the Tiger Field sign, could be easily preserved for a reasonable cost considering other projects.
Home of the Mt. Pleasant Tigers Sign
The Home of the Mt. Pleasant Tigers sign has overlooked the old Tiger Stadium on West First Street for many years. You can read about the construction of the field in the Friday Night Lights article of our School Topic.
The familiar old Home of the Mt. Pleasant Tigers sign is slowly weathering away, but could be easily preserved for a rather small cost, considering other projects.
The Dr Pepper Sign
The Dr Pepper sign on the south side of Jo's Antiques at 100 North Jefferson, like the Bull Durham sign on her north wall, is a link to Mt. Pleasant's past when the building was once a grocery store and also to Mt. Pleasant's Dr Pepper plant that operated here from 1928 to the 1980s.
The Dr Pepper sign was repainted during Mt. Pleasant's Main Street project several years ago, but the paint is beginning to peel in spots. This sign is not in dire straits like the Bull Durham sign, and is not a high priority at this time, but is worthy of observation and consideration for future preservation before it deteriorates too far.
