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I do a lot of these subdivision monument signs. I ain't complaining,...the money is good and steady. There's ALWAYS another subdivision coming up. Too many of 'em, as a matter of fact. But what strikes me is, how many "cute and inviting" names for a typical subdivision can a developer come up with?
Here's a list of some I've done over the past few years that I can remember:
"Cedar Creek". No cedar trees (no trees at ALL), and no creek.
"Rubin's Run". Who's "Rubin", and where did he run to?
"Burgess Mill". This sign had a large water mill, complimented with pretty pine trees and a river running through it. Guess what? No mill, no trees, and no river! Just a bunch of tightly spaced tacky vinyl houses bordering a busy highway! LOL!
"Fox Hollow". You guessed it. No foxes. No hollow. Nothing but the buyer's imaginations telling them that they now live in "Fox Hollow". Yeah, baby! We have ARRIVED!
"Nottingham Gates". I designed that sign in Old English type and embellished it to death, because that's what the developer insisted on. Nevermind that it's almost unreadable,...Robin Hood don't live there,... and hell, there ain't even any gates!
I could go on, but you get my point. I'm starting to think that it's "False Advertising".
If I were a developer and wanted to sell my houses in my new subdivision quickly, I might name it something like, "Close to Schools, WalMart and Work".
How many different variations of THAT can we come up with?
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Cedar View (where I live) Pine Hill Dawkins Farms Robinson Crossing Belmor Lakes Greasy Hill (my personal favorite name) Southern Trails Autumn Oaks Autumn Woods Meadow Ridge After awhile they all sound so generic - I still need to design a logo for "GREASY HILL" - meybee an old cast iron skillet - flippin' a coupla fried eggs in the air - it's actually a forgotten subdivision where my dad grew up back in the '30's & early 40's - it was dairy farming mostly/hay raising/chickens & hogs & such - my grandparents had truck farms & small grocery stores - I think they even had a few gas pumps in their later years - mid 1960's afore they retired - so that's the scenario for the logo - farming/humorish/hillbilly style - any ideas? HELP. . . . "Fox Hollow" is the name of the great storyteller country music songwriter Tom T. Hall's personal retreat in the Florida Panhandle - If I'm not mistaken it's between Sopchoppy & Cedar Key, Florida. . . . .nice, nice area - visit it if you git the chance - Mark - "NOTTINGTON GATES" with no little dude shooting at ya with his bow& arrow from the other side of the moat? when I read that one I envisioned wrought iron fencing surrounding an expansive Estate -like a castle wid block walls- probably wid a guardhouse - and you mean they don't even have a gate???? LMAO - - -
[ April 28, 2006, 02:04 AM: Message edited by: Carl Wood ]
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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I can't help you, Carl. For some reason, "Greasy Hill" invokes thoughts of neon to me, and neon ain't my bag. Every "greasy spoon" I've ever eaten in was lit-up in neon, so I guess I have a pre-determined adversion!
"The Falls". Where? Niagra? Whut? Looks like an apartment complex to me!
"River Run". Ok. Clue me in.
"Georgia Oaks". Well, ya got the state right, but there ain't even a scrub pine in this here subdivision!
I love the "Autumn" themes, Carl! I've not done any of those yet, because I think every possible "extension" of "Autumn" has already been claimed and done! "Autumn Pie" might still be left, however. But it ain't up to me. I'm just a poor sign maker, not a developer.
"Mountain View". How's about a view of your neighbors' nasty back yard?
"Forest Heaven". You wouldn't mind a trailer park, would you?
There's one (an older subdivision), not too far from me, called "Gwinette Estates", but I wanna make a new sign for them and call it "Christmas City", because it's now slap full of Mexican imigrants and they leave all their Xmas lights up year-round,....lit up! LOL!
[ April 28, 2006, 02:56 AM: Message edited by: Mark Tucker ]
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"Mountain View" in the Ozarks is one of my hideouts - hard by Sylamore Creek - that is a magical place - plus they have trout to fish for close by - Mirrow Lake - it is stocked but alot of natural trout as well - world record Brown Trout came from waters close by - -
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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quote:Originally posted by Carl Wood: Mark - "NOTTINGTON GATES" with no little dude shooting at ya with his bow& arrow from the other side of the moat? when I read that one I envisioned wrought iron fencing surrounding an expansive Estate -like a castle wid block walls- probably wid a guardhouse - and you mean they don't even have a gate???? LMAO - - - [/QB]
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meybee they got sharp-shooters- - -who knows - - - I think it pays to git to know your neighbors - don't mean to veer off topic too much - -too many subdivisions going up around here to keep track of - I only go where I gotta install - -I'm trying to git to the point where I don't have to install anything unless it pays well. . .trip charge is usually figured into my price - although mis-quoted install yesterday - $100 for sinking 4 - 5/8" holes in cement sidewalk - anchoring an A-Frame sign with L brackets - didn't figure I'd burn up $45 worth of drill bits - them big masonry hammer bits be pricey - -barely broke even - took an hour & a half - then had to dig 2 post hole & install wooden 4x4' sign after that - it wuz a lotta fun - only good thing is the dude is quick wid the check -always next day - that matters. . . .
[ April 28, 2006, 03:52 AM: Message edited by: Carl Wood ]
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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I can relate, Carl. I do a lot of installs (on the side) for some folks that don't like to get their hands dirty. Lately, wid the price of gas and all, I've just started charging them out the ying-yang. No one has complained, even though I've almost doubled my prices. I can make $300.00+ on a good day of installs. If I could get that EVERY day, that's all I would do anymore, and I ain't kiddin' ya!
To hell wid making signs! Just let me put 'em up! LOL! There's real good money in that, for sure!
BTW, you can "weigh-down" an A-frame without having to drill no holes, dude. I've built and installed about a dozen of 'em, and I ain't drilled the first hole yet through no concrete or asphalt! What, exactly, are you doing? Dude?
[ April 28, 2006, 04:38 AM: Message edited by: Mark Tucker ]
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Mark - kinda bad neighborhood - customer was afraid of vandalism - anchored each leg of A-frame to the sidewalk - I would venture to say it's dang near hurricane proof now - that sign ain't going anywhere without a good socket wrench - wasn't my idea but the customer's - next time I'll just use drive pins - -
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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My father had a piece of land he put in a 14 house sundivision. It's name was Benwoods. The surveyor came up with that based on the fact that his golden retriever named Ben would go there to work with him and set about leaving his scent on every tree he could, So he called it Benwoods.
-------------------- Jake Lyman Lyman Signs 45 State Road Phillipston, MA 01331 Posts: 635 | From: Phillipston, MA | Registered: Sep 2002
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Being raised up an army brat and moving every year, it has been my experience that "River Run" may actually be a command, a heads up if you will LOL! I love how they romanticize the short-comings of a piece of property with the name.
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Our clients made the mistake of naming their subdivision "Buckhead". The kids have had a field day pulling off the "B" and changing it to an "F". After several repairs we finally took off each letter, bolted it into the masonry, and countersunk the bolts. That seems to have solved the problem.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1266 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Out here in the Metroplex on the prairies, we have our share of subdivision appelations invoking scenic vistas and wholesome rural living.
However, there's also West Texas. The Chamber of Commerce wasn't involved in naming some of the towns there, ones such as No Trees, Earth, Levelland, Turkey, Plains, Brownfield, Muleshoe...
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Sackett's Grove...The Sackett's farm used to be on the site and yes, there is a grove of maple trees on either side of the entrance.
Pebble Beach...No pebbles, no beach but, there is a small lake a couple hundred yards away (on the other side of a parking lot).
Meadow View...Across the street from a Birdseye Foods canning factory
-------------------- Terry Baird Baird Signs 3484 West Lake Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424 Posts: 790 | From: Canandaigua, New York | Registered: Dec 2002
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Instead of "close to schools, Wal Mart, etc", how about "Newism Retreat", "Where your eyes don't have to behold anything scummy that isn't new".
I have this theory, strictly SPECULATION folks. It might be a stretch, maybe no stretch at all. I'm wondering if people are quite aware of the decay around us. It shows up in the physical realm as rust, rot, erosion, second law of thermo dynamics, urban blight, things like that. But it's also happening in the abstract/spiritual/emotional/unseen realm. People take no responsibility for what they've done, put the blame on others, lie to win a lawsuit, whatever helps self, and these are the "regular" people, not the criminals, druggies, etc.
So maybe the way to feel right and clean and separated from the decay is to be surrounded by things that aren't decayed, things that are new.It won't help in the unseen realm, but it's as close as some folks will ever get. It's a false salvation that only hides the reality, not true salvation, which is found in Christ.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Okay...how about we make up unpleasantly funny subdivision names? Something like...
Oilslick Creek Deadpine Woods Crackerbox Court Horseshyt Hills Reeking Run Roadkill Ranch Fishkill Estates Hootenanny Flats Nosepicker North
...you get the idea.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by Mark Tucker: Well, THERE'S a novel idea, James! "Jesus Saves" subdivision.
Me thinks you hijacked my thread...
Sad isnt it Mark? Those people just refuse to stop pushing their moral view points. Really makes me sick.
Now back on topic...
Abrahams Woods, I dont think the owners name was Abraham Crystal Lake, but its not that clear at all. Farmington Hills but there are no hills in sight Ridge Manor, not a manor in sight. The Woodlands is in the city. Oakcrest but when does an Oak crest?
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
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Newest one going in here is Wolf Run Crossing. We have no wolves, thus there are no wolves running and the subdivision isn't at the crossing of anything.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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With all due respect, Bob, I believe the last religious references I posted on this site were in direct response to a cartoon and comments you posted on the portfolio forum consisting of a picture of a "Jesus" head on an anthropoid body. Though it was a cute representation, obviously meant to poke fun at us "fanatics", I was not offended. I still like you.
We're doing one at the moment named "Greenfield". I don't know if the place is green or a field, haven't seen it yet, but the money is good....over $8k.
Some more we did: Martin's Woods (in a woodsy place) Blue Pond (surrounding a large cypress pond) Compass Lake in the Hills ( large lake in the hills) Crystal Village (subdivision beside Crystal Lake)
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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OVERPRICED ESTATES Once constructed, these sell for about 15 times the cost of building them. Why? Because 15 realtors got together, hired contractors who sent in the lowest bids and the maintenance of these shoddy dumps costs them a pantload more than building right in the first place. Nice lawns tho...
BOATPEOPLE LANDING Usually located near a large lake, these outrageously ornate buildings are empty for most of the year while the owners work two jobs...one to pay for the house, the other to pay for the boat. Occupied only when sunny weather is predicted on weekends. Nice and quite during the week.
GOLF These homes serve a singular purpose and are name simply for that...golf. It's all anyone does, shops for, talks about or watches on TV. Great place to raise your kids...as caddys. (They should all be renamed "TIGER WOODS")
SHADY LANE In a perfect world, this is where the Sopranos would live. You would all know each uddus names okay, but if yah get ouuta line, yah'd get whacked. No one moves out, they just disappear...into the witness protection program. Great spaghetti restaurants nearby.
BOVINE CHATEAU It's a farm. The farmer sold it to a french guy and now the cows are celeberties. The sad part is...have you ever really spent quality time watching cows? If so, congratulations...you are one! "Whitey says: Mooooove right in!"
IMAGE ACRES They have beautiful brochures, amazingly effective marketing strategies and 5 star ratings. They cost an arm and a leg...and a few other appendages. No one lives there, they just like saying they have a home there to their friends at gatherings, drink Corona with lime and ski badly.
Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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Hahaha Ray! Best post on this subject yet for MY money! LMAO!!! Sooooo true! Thanks. :-)
Some ideas of mine: (I'm not as clever as you, but I'll try!)
VINYL VILLAGE Plastic houses priced to populate a preponderance of peoples, largely illegal immigrants.
BRICK FRONT ESTATES Vinyl on the sides and back, but hey! We got some real BRICK on the fronts and around the entrance sign. You can't squeeze a lawnmower between the houses, but grass won't grow there anyway. Vinyl might, however.
HEARTBREAK HILLS My wife, Darlene, left me for the postman after 20 years of me savin' up to buy this here cracker-box to get us outta that trailer.
TEENAGE WASTELAND Who keeps stealing my mower gas, ball-battin' my mail box, spray paintin' my front door and settin' my cat on fire???
Hey, I see you're in Braselton, Ray. Howdy, Neighbor!
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Many of the new subdivisions around here have humongous houses on lots so small you could mow the lawn with a pair of scissors. Once they park the Escalade in the drive, there's barely enough room left for a moped. Heaven forbid they have friends come over, there's no place to park.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Oh my, what sweet, kind words. I clearly recall talking like that myself, years ago. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I was well aware of the heat that one last word of my reply might generate. However, as bothersome as that was/is, it's not nearly as cruel as knowing the solution to a problem, and NOT saying anything. Besides, it's not morality I'm 'pushing', it's the door, the key, the way, take it or leave it. How often do you see me getting on somebody's case about their behavior?
No intent to hijack a thread, actually thought I was rather on topic: What are people's motivations for moving into these developments? That's what the comment about "close to schools, Wal Mart", etc, made me think the thread was about, motivation.
I've heard these developements called a name, I think it was 'exurbs'. As in exiting the urban areas. My comments about 'newism' were meant to be provocative, maybe I struck a nerve, but why aren't big chunks of urban ares renovated? Still the same OLD neighborhood? The way some of these new things are 'built', it won't be long before they're old.
Case in point, nice looking commercial buildings went in nearby within the last 5 years. Already the paint is peeling from around the doors, and the dentist's sandblasted sign is rotting so bad, it's about to fall out of it's metal brackets. Big chunks gone. What were these guys sold?? Untreated pine?
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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There's an un-named subdivision of McMansions on a ridge that I pass on the way to work. They are supposedly almost all owned by Pfizer (the drug company) execs, so the locals refer to it as... Pill Hill.
Actually that would make a great "anonymous" sign for the neighborhood. Anyone got any design suggestions?
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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An upscale subdivision went into our town about thirty years ago named "Nob Hill". It wasn't too long before it sprouted an additional letter at the beginning, changing the name to "Snob Hill". About fifteen years later, I found out my shop foreman did it.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by David Harding: An upscale subdivision went into our town about thirty years ago named "Nob Hill". It wasn't too long before it sprouted an additional letter at the beginning, changing the name to "Snob Hill". About fifteen years later, I found out my shop foreman did it.
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He should've added the word "BOB" instead of the S.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ray, I worked down in Buford for years. First for "Atlanta Signs Unlimited" and then for "Atlantic Sign & Graphic". Ever heard of them? Anyways... "Historic Buford" use to be an artist town down there on Main St. I use to love to go shop for their work and at one time considered moving there, fancying myself as an artist too. Last time I looked, all the artist have moved on to parts unknown. Too bad,...it was very cool then.
Buford has some of the best schools in the state, so I hear.
Back on topic...
HOLE IN THE WOODS That's where I live, and I made the sign when I bought this shack 10 years ago on Lake Lanier. It's down in a hole and in the woods! I HAD some deer antlers attatched to the top of the sign, but wouldn't you know it? Some teenagers ripped 'em off!
I ain't deep enough in a hole or far enough out in the woods yet! Damn kids!!!
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