Appearing in this book are images featuring over 200 signs erected over roadways in California. Dating from the Civil War era into the 21st century, these signs were made of wood, metal, and stucco, and many of them were electrified. They were put up by communities across the state to highlight and unmistakably point out their specific towns.
Michael Lynch is a 35-year veteran of California State Parks, serving as a ranger and superintendent. He is the author of eight history books, including two Images of America books. For 20 years, Lynch has amassed a large collection of images of historic overhead roadway signs—including over 500 from California, many of which make up the pictures included within these pages. Arthur Sommers was born and raised in Auburn, California. He received a bachelor of arts in history from San Francisco State University in 1972. He was assigned to a Navy destroyer in the Pacific Ocean for 4 years and spent 21 years as a civilian employee of the Air Force. Sommers has volunteered at the Placer County Archives in California and the Washington County Archives in Oregon and is the author of eight history books.