Planters Peanuts sign at the Peanut Shoppe; opened in 1930s (new location in 2010)
Photo: frankieleon/Flickr

On this week’s living history show (8:30 p.m. Thursday on WOSU TV), we’ll introduce you to the Columbus Sign Co. — a local company behind the creation and preservation of some of the city’s most iconic images. In the meantime, we’ve put together a self-guided tour of cool historic signage around downtown Columbus. Some are neon; some are newer than others. But each signals a different local story.

Walk or drive to these destinations for some nostalgia and discovery. We recommend starting on the south end of the tour so you can finish at the North Market and grab a bite (or two).

Click on the location pins in the map below to see some pictures and learn more about each stop along the tour.

—Mary Rathke and Emily Thompson

Suggested route:

1. Uncle Sam’s Pawn Shop Inc. — 225 E. Main St.
2. Hawk Galleries — 153 E. Main St.
3. Little Palace — 240 S. Fourth St.
4. “Restaurant” sign  — 150 S. High St.
5. Ho-Toy — 11 W. State St.
6. Planters Peanuts sign at the Peanut Shoppe — 21 E. State St.
7. Ohio Theatre  — 39 E. State St.
8. The Columbus Dispatch (former building) — 34 S. Third St.
9. Tip Top — 73 E. Gay St.
10. Palace Theatre — 34 W. Broad St.
11. Beacon Building — 50 W. Gay St.
12. Elevator Brewing Co. — 161 N. High St.
13. North Market — 59 Spruce St.

Bonus stops:
Check out a few other notable Columbus signs in some nearby neighborhoods:

1. Big Fun — 672 N. High St., Short North
2. Fireproof Warehouse and Storage sign at Fireproof Apartments — 1020 N. High St., Short North
3. Skully’s Music-Diner — 1151 N. High St., Short North
4. Wonder Bread sign at Wonder Bread Lofts — 727 N. Fourth St., Italian Village
5. Buckeye Donuts — 1998 N. High St., Campus
6. Drexel Theatre — 2254 E. Main St., Bexley
7. Rubino’s Pizza — 2643 E. Main St., Bexley
8. Tommy’s Pizza — 1350 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington