Signs From The Road::Williams Cigar Store
The appropriation of Native American likeness and caricature has long been a part of roadside signage. While I was not able to find a specific date for the Williams Cigar Store sign in Junction City, I did find references to the store itself in multiple Junction City newspapers dating back to 1905.
If that Indian could talk…
The storefront was the retail arm of the Charley O. Williams Cigar Company. Apparently this was a pretty big deal in Junction City, because other newspaper articles mentioned locations of other businesses in reference to the Cigar Store location.
At some point…once again unsure…operations closed, and the JC Bar occupied the space. The obverse of the sign bears the name of the bar; we can thank them for keeping one side in its original appearance. Alas, the bar is also permanently closed. The sign was still hanging as of August 2023 when the Google car passed by.
Have a cigar. You’re gonna go far.
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Original images and text (c) Nick Gerlich.
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