Vintage Ohio Road Photos ---Highway Photos Taken before the Internet Explosion

Since about the mid-1990s the Internet has been the catalyst in the explosion of road related photography and websites throughout the United States.  Vintage Ohio Road Photos showcases road photography done before 1995, when the Internet boom began.  It is a great way to look at roads and times of past before gribblenation, before aaroads, and the Internet.  If you have road photography from 1995 and earlier that you would like to include in this collection, please e-mail me . 

1980-1989
One-piece guide signs for US 52/62/68 at OH 41; Aberdeen.  A few things of note: First, check out the 'West' and 'East' for US 62.  They are covering up possibly 'North' & 'South.'  Also, there is a new bridge downstream that carries US 62 & 68 over the Ohio into the State from Kentucky.  Some background information about the odd directional signage in the area, can be read here.
Button Copy I-70 guide sign on US 127; Preble County.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1986.  US 127 is Exit 10 on I-70.
Junction US 35 / OH 122/732 shields on US 127 South; Eaton.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1986.
One-piece OH 122 directional marker at OH 355; Eaton.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1986.  This sign exhibits three old Ohio standards: a different font, narrow numerals, and old arrows.
JCT OH 122 shield on US 35; Eaton.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1986.
OH 320 marker on US 40; New Westville.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1986.  Old arrows and narrow font signs.  This is just inside the Ohio side of the Ohio/Indiana border.
Stop sign at OH 726/US 127; North of Eaton.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1986.  An at one time signature styled stop sign in Ohio.
OH 40 shield at OH 726; Gettysburg.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1986.
White distance sign on US 40 East; Lewisburg.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1986.  Photo taken just east of OH 503.

1970-79

Button-Copy Overheads for I-75 South (Exit 33A) and Dayton International Airport (Exit 32) on I-70 West; Murlin Heights.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1979.
Button-Copy Overheads for OH 49 (Exits 26 & 24) on I-70 West; Englewood.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1979.
Guide sign for OH 15 (Exit 2) on the Ohio Turnpike; Holiday City.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1976.  Exit 2 is now Exit 13.  Take a look at the long curved arrow.
Guide sign for US 20 / 'TO' I-475/US 23 (Exit 4) on the Ohio Turnpike; Maumee.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1976.  While the rest of the state was using button copy for guide signs the OH Tpk was using reflective sheathing.  Exit 4 is now Exit 59.
Text Guide sign for US 250 on the Ohio Turnpike; near Sandusky.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1976.
One piece directionals for US 62 and OH 7 off of I-80 (Exit 234); Hubbard.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1976.  Great examples of old Ohio fonts, arrows, and use of northeast "n-east" and southwest "s-west" for directionals.

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    Page Created: August 27, 2003
    Last Updated: January 31, 2004

    (C) 2003-04 William Lawson