05/29/2026
Ever looked up at the intersection of South Broadway and Shakespeare and spotted the faded, block-lettered βVOTE AGAINST PROHIBITIONβ? Thatβs a ghost sign, and Bromo is helping keep their stories alive.
Ghost signs are hand-painted advertisements from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Across Baltimore, they offer a glimpse into the cityβs commercial past, remnants of brands and movements that once filled these streets with energy.
Many of these signs were created during the Depression era by a handful of companies: Globe, Park, Cheverly, Pritchett, and Morgan, primarily as bold advertisements. Today, theyβve become time capsules, slowly disappearing into the fabric of the city.
In partnership with Baltimore Heritage, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, and a dedicated artist team, Bromo is working to respectfully rehabilitate these historic signs, preserving their character while bringing renewed visibility so they can be appreciated for decades to come.
Thank you to our project partners:
Muralists: Sam and Tyler from Human Made Signs & Murals
Ghost Sign Documenters: photographer Lashelle Bynum who's captured Baltimore's fading signs for over 20 years; and artist Greg Gannon who specializes in painted signs
Organization Partnerships: Baltimore Heritage and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore
Baltimore Heritage:
https://baltimoreheritage.org/programs/ghost-signs/
Magazine
https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/photographer-lashelle-bynum-captures-faded-exterior-building-ghost-signs-baltimores-commerical-past/
Banner
https://www.thebanner.com/culture/ghost-signs-hunter-UD5F7D6SIRFC3M42GKQKGILFGQ/
