Burma-Shave style signs installed near Washington

The Washington Chamber of Commerce paid to have old-fashioned Burma-Shave style signs installed along 220th street this week, encouraging passersby to come into town.

“There’s about 3,800 vehicles per day that travel by this, and (it’s) promotional for the city of Washington for people to come visit,” said Lyle Moen, who pitched the idea to the Chamber and installed the signs himself near Riverside Road. “The Chamber was agreeable to it, so I had to get permission from the county engineer and the property owner … and they were all agreeable.”

The five V-shaped signs have a different message for drivers going toward or away from Washington.

The westbound message reads “For more than stores/ and folks who care/ the fountain calls/ visit our square/ Washington.” The eastbound reads “Hope you had fun/ and enjoyed your stay/ please come back and visit/ another day/ Washington.”

Moen said the sign wording was carefully chosen.

“The Chamber director made a contest out of this, and the public submitted slogans,” he said. “A committee chose the favorite slogans, and I ordered the signage.”

From pitching the idea to putting the signs in the ground, Moen said the process took around nine months.

“It’s been a long process, but I had to get permission from all the entities and that takes time,” he said.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com