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Long before website banners, T.V. or radio commercials, and electronic billboards there were murals. Coca-Cola Consolidated is working to restore its faded advertisements, or ghost signs, across Appalachia. Ghost signs are the murals painted on buildings at the turn of the century that are now faded disappearing. One of the largest murals, so far was unveiled last week in Hinton in Summers County. Along with the strong sentimental value to the rural residents, the signs still have a strong marketing value for the global company.
Advertisement in Hinton, W.Va. before …
Advertisement in Hinton, W.Va. during restoration …
Advertisement in Hinton, W.Va. after restoration …
Like other towns across Appalachia, Hinton now deals with a drug epidemic, empty store fronts, and a high poverty rate. Some folks in the area hope the restoration, brings revitalization to the town.
This mural was painted around 1916 in Hinton, a railroad town that by 1929 had three national banks, two hospitals, ten wholesale firms and seventy-five retail stores.
“Before there was the world famous sign in New York City in Time Square, there was the sign in Hinton, West Virginia. So you can say that that sign in New York was a rip off of the sign right here in Hinton, West Virginia,” said Lauren Steele, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Coca-Cola Consolidated.
The company has restored about 15 murals across three Appalachian states so far. Some of the locations include:
Coca-Cola plans to complete ghost sign restorations in the following towns:
The company expects the list to continue to grow. The mural artists are taking a break during the height of the summer heat. The next restoration project will start up in early Fall.
This month, the CPB will begin winding down its operations. The funding cuts will mostly affect NPR and PBS affiliates like our home station. Smaller stations are being hit especially hard. Like Allegheny Mountain Radio, on the Virginia-West Virginia border. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams spoke with Scott Smith, Allegheny Mountain Radio’s general manager.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsThis week, the federal government has taken back millions of dollars set aside for public radio stations. Allegheny Mountain Radio is among those fighting to stay on the air. Also, a book by a West Virginia artist illustrates the tiny worlds of mountain critters, like a lizard that changes color. And, geocaching gets folks outside to play detective and find hidden treasures.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsIf you’ve ever been on TikTok or Instagram and seen short, quirky videos of English people talking about Marshall University football, or in this case, soccer, those are the brainchild of independent British filmmaker Daniel Johnson.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsLeaders of Huntington want commuters who work in the city to have a home there -- they've got a plan. And a campaign to help those in need access clean water looks at the unique challenges in Appalachia.
Continue Reading Take Me to More News
