Here are some signs from Lee County, otherwise known as the bridge between the Research Triangle area and the Sandhills. This area is not only within easy distance of the Triangle metro area, but also the golf courses surrounding Pinehurst and military installations Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base near Fayetteville.
Located in the heart of North Carolina, the Lee County seat of Sanford is best-known for its moniker as "Brick City USA", thanks to its high production of the well-used building material. In addition, Lee County is also home to the largest Pottery Festival in the state, which takes place the first weekend in May and features work from many of our finest craftsmakers around.
Also of note, I am now including links to maps to each of the sites I have visited and taken pictures. If you're interested in forming a little "sign hunting trip" of your own, these maps will come quite handy. One thing to keep in mind is that the maps represent the approximate locations, so please make sure to be careful if you are driving and wish to partake in this.
| Sign | Location | Description |
| Caution - Steep Hills sign [Just Added] | Piedmont Dr. @ Sussex Ave., Sanford [Map] | Residents and visitors of this neighborhood have to worry about both a tricky intersection and a steep incline that blocks the view of oncoming traffic. I could imagine this area would prove especially difficult to manuever in inclement weather conditions. Still, it is wise to tread carefully regardless of the circumstance. |
| Police Jurisdiction sign | Food Lion/Wal-Mart shopping center, opposite Rosser Rd. @ Horner Blvd. (US 421); Sanford [Map] | I wasn't sure what this sign meant at first sight. Then I thought that it might be put there to at least give shoppers a better sense of security, even though it can be quite a busy place. |
| Tobacco Road Golf sign | Jefferson Davis Hwy. (US 1) @ Rocky Fork Church Rd., opposite White Hill Rd. (US 15-501), [Map] | Many of these new-styled signs can be found throughout the Sandhills region of the state, which lead to places not normally designated as official landmarks. This one does one better by giving the exact mileage to said destination. |
| Yellow Thru Traffic sign | Jefferson Davis Hwy. (US 1-15-501) @ Pendergrass Rd., Tramway [Map] | A portion of this highway has an additional lane in the southbound direction to accomodate traffic exiting Carthage Street. However, that same lane also serves as the left turn lane for NC Hwy. 78, so the warning should indeed be heeded. |
| Curve with Outlet sign | Avents Ferry Rd. (NC Hwy. 42) @ Rabbit Ridge, Sanford [Map] | A nice little add-on attempt to help locate an obscure road. |
| No Thru Trucks sign | Seawell St. @ Watson Ave., Sanford [Map] | These signs were put up to discourage large truck traffic. Residents of this neighborhood didn't want to be used as a quick shortcut to the Food Lion and Wal-Mart located a few hundred yards away facing Horner Blvd. |
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Dip & Bump Flashing signs Dip - Bump |
Greenwood Rd. @ Joe Matthews Rd., Lemon Springs [Map] | Two different approaches were needed here because of a rather tricky railroad crossing that cuts through here. The motorist is more likely to hit a dip in the road when heading west, while nasty bumps are for those heading east. Either way, it wouldn't be a bad idea to use extreme caution when passing through, lest you wear out your shocks. |
| Brown Martin Luther King Jr. sign | S. Horner Blvd. @ Rose St., Sanford [Map] | Unlike most cities and towns in the area, the town fathers chose to honor the slain civil rights leader with an "honorary" designation along the main drag as opposed to changing its name entirely. |
| Church Pedestrian Crossing sign | Cool Springs Rd. @ Wellington Dr., Sanford [Map] | The cemetery for the Cool Springs Baptist Church is located across the street from the church sanctuary. The need for motorists to be careful is especially important when the time comes for the dearly departed to rest in peace. |
| White reverse curve sign | N. Vance St. @ Weatherspoon St., Sanford [Map] | This rather unusual warning sign alerts the motorist of a major shift taking place. Since Vance Street is split in two separate segments at this juncture, this sign does prove helpful even though you have to get off of a particular street in order to stay on it. |
