Carrboro Signs

Carrboro, otherwise known to locals as the "Paris of the Piedmont," has some rather interesting signs all over town. Because I've been able to spot so many odd signs in this funky little burg, I've decided to dedicate a page to the signs one can find here.

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
No Drop Off or Pick Up sign [NEW] Pathway Dr. @ Cates Farm Rd. [Map] Town officials don't want parents of McDougle Elementary School children to use side streets as a drop off or pick up site. It wouldn't be wise to disrupt the morning routine of those living nearby.
Church/School Two-Tone sign Main St. @ Poplar Ave., next to AC Fitness [Map] Since both institutions are within a stone's throw from each other, it only made sense to blend both into one sign. The colors may clash, but it does manage to keep the two separate.
Pedestrian Crosswalk sign Poplar Ave. @ Greensboro St. [Map] Since the pedestrian lane for Poplar Ave. is located on the left side of the road, walkers are reminded to take the crosswalk before reaching the end of the street. Of course, motorists need to heed caution to those wayward bipeds.
Horne Hollow sign Bruton Dr. @ Hillsborough Rd. [Map] These warning signs were put in place to divert construction traffic away from this quiet neighborhood. However, this one is more specific in terms of the neighborhood that is being developed nearby.
Orange and Green Recycle sign Entrance to Carrboro Plaza, just off Hwy. 54 Bypass @ Main St. [Map] Very creative color arrangement used here to left citizens know where to dispose of their newspapers and plastic bottles.
Bicycle Friendly sign Estes Dr. Extension @ Village Dr., just past railroad tracks [Map] This town truly prides itself on being a safe haven for those who prefer traveling on two wheels with manual power, as opposed to the four-wheeled machine-driven types.
Reverse Two-Way Road sign goof NC Hwy. 54 @ Old Fayetteville Rd., near Harry Anderson III Community Park [Map] Only in such a forward thinking community as this one would something so radical get put up along a busy thoroughfare. Sure does leave a lasting impression on those leaving town.
Williams Woods sign Cates Farm Rd. @ Autumn Dr. [Map] This has to be the only known municipal sign in the Triangle marking a specific neighborhood.
Single-street Roundabout Sign Long Meadows Rd. @ S. Fields Circle [Map] It's not everyday that you come across a roundabout like this. The image resembles either a doughnut on a stick or a martini olive.
Adopt A Bike Trail sign Biketrail near the Old Carrboro Cemetery, just off Roberson St. [Map] A local business pitches in to keep one of the many biketrails in town safe for people to use.
No Parking signs
[Peds] [Bikes]		 Poplar Ave. @ Ashe St. [Map] Even walkers and bikers have a right to the road.
Bilingual Parking Lot sign Main St. @ Roberson St., across from Armadillo Grill [Map] Que pasa? This sign was put up to help the growing Hispanic population feel more at home.
Kiss N Go sign Shelton St. @ Ashe St., in front of Carrboro Elementary School [Map] Now parents can say goodbye to their kiddies while dropping them off at school without having to hold up traffic.
We Love Our Kids sign Davie Rd. @ W. Main St. [Map] Parents in the neighborhood just want a safe environment for their kids to play without worrying about someone speeding through.
Stop Here on Red sign Corner of Weaver St. and Elm St., approaching Main Street near Town Hall [Map] This sign makes its point in a rather colorful way at this three-way intersection.
RIGHT Lane Must Turn RIGHT sign Jones Ferry Rd. @ NC 54 Bypass, across from Willow Creek S/C [Map] This sign truly does stand out in its own right here in this rather left-leaning town.
Old Speed Bumps sign BPW Club Rd., past Orchard Lane [Map] Quite possibly one of the first of its kind erected anywhere along a public road in the Triangle. Check out the great use of reflectors on this sign!
Dangerous Curve sign Simpson St., between Greensboro St. and Phipps St. [Map] Because of the nature of the road, this sign was put in place along with an existing reverse curve sign nearby to alert motorists of what's up ahead. Doesn't really hurt to put it in a residental area, thanks to some smart safety-conscious people living there.
Slow Left Turn sign Watters Rd., just off Greensboro St. [Map] Interesting combination of two separate signs, the left turn sign and the advisory speed sign, put together. Pretty darn clever, if I do say so myself.
Angle Curve with Side Street Outlet sign
[Left] - [Right] 		Roberson St. @ Sweet Bay Pl. [Map] This has to be the most unique intersection design for a street sign that I've ever seen. Because the curve and side street are so close together, traffic engineers were stumped over what sign would be appropriate in this scenario. So they implemented their own sense of ingenuity and just put one together.
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