By Jeff Shaw
‘They’ are everywhere on Cape Cod. In every town, can be spotted in every neighborhood, heck, probably on your street! I’m not talking people, nor houses, not cars, or lawns, but signs noting a home’s name.
A column written by John Whelan in a July 2022 edition of the Cape Cod Chronicle traced the somewhat remarkably lasting impact of naming homes on Cape Cod. While Whelan’s article covered the origins of the Chatham Sign Shop, just raising the topic made it hard to ignore the obvious; that a lot of houses — at least in my neighborhood, but probably yours, too – has a name!
Now sure, Cape Cod is both vacation and second home country, so it is common for second home owners to have a little fun with their prized vacation properties. A sign with a name or phrase is on the low-end of the flair scale. And for rental properties, a sign with a house’s name does make it easier for first-time guests to locate, at least in the daylight and before GPS. I suppose such signs could be helpful in finding your rental in dense cottage communities.
“The naming of houses, which has become quite popular, was important for the business. People want a design that is both handsome and distinctive,” wrote Whelan.
Home signs don’t just serve as identifying markers, but also as works of art. As Whelan observed in the Chatham Sign Shop gallery, “Sign design and names vary considerably, with many easily passing as works of art.”
I agree. Many of these home signs are an absolute delight to stumble across. Many names are simple. Others whimsical. Lots are punny. Some could pass as free advertisements. Most colorful. All creative.
So next time you’re cruising your neighborhood, make sure to see the sign(s)! (Queue Ace of Base…)
Simple
In Memoriam
Whimsical
Punny
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December 9, 2022