Driving Around Wisconsin Photographing Bar Signs

October 15, 2018 5:41 PM

Driving Around Wisconsin Photographing Bar Signs
Last year I acquired a panoramic format camera and needed something to do with it. When I ultimately decided on using it on was to document the many locations, mostly in Wisconsin, that still have a certain style of vintage bar signs from the 60s and 70s visible in them.

The map I've put together of signs that I've found browsing Google Street View trying to find these signs currently has over 400 pins on it.

I've also started editing videos from footage I recorded from some of the photography day sessions

Role: photographer, editor, researcher

posted by kpraslowicz (3 comments total)

This is definitely cool. Thanks!
posted by Literaryhero at 4:41 AM on October 19, 2018 [2 favorites]

I grew up in bars, work in a bar, and live in bars. Here in the Madison area these signs are *everywhere*.

I've even been to the Elkhorn lodge in Clam Lake!

Such a neat project that connects with me.
posted by rocketman at 7:08 AM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]

I've been to a handful of those places and the pictures capture them very nicely. I've long thought about doing a similar project with fading Coca-Cola signs of MN, but since I may never get to it I can live vicariously through you. Nice work.

I did chuckle when the first image in your Wisconsin-centric set was in MN.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 2:33 PM on October 23, 2018 [1 favorite]