Signs in Hillsborough

Hillsborough Signs

here we have some signs from the O.C. county seat of Hillsborough. The town of Hillsborough is rich in history with a number of buildings and monuments that date back to colonial times. This charming town also hastheir share of novel road signs as well.

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. Same goes for riding your bike, taking the bus, or even going on a nice little walk, considering how much this place highly favors more alternative forms of transport.

Sign Location Description

Hotel U-Turn signs U.S. 70 @ Mt. Hermon Church Rd., just off I-85 Exit 170 [Map] Because of the way the intersection of 85 and 70 is set up, a motorist heading to one of the hotels when exiting I-85 South needs to make an awfully sharp U-turn before heading back towards the underpass before reaching his or her destination. Should I-85 ever go through a massive rehab project, the intersection seen here will go through a massive overhaul.

Modified School Crossing sign Hope Valley Dr. @ Davis Rd. [Map] If you look carefully, you'll notice that the figures in the sign aren't carrying around any baggage. Still, it's a clever way to get those who might not have already figured it out to slow down.

Traffic Islands sign U.S. 70-A @ Featherwood Ct., adjacent to Wayside Baptist Church [Map] The traffic island is actually a separator for a right turn lane that merges directly onto US 70 East. This particular sign makes that little patch of land easier to notice.

Farmer's Market sign King St. @ Court St., next to Orange County Courthouse [Map] This particular sign was designed in a special way so that it wouldn't have to be centered evenly like most signs. The fact that there was a telephone pole standing in its way would explain the sign's rather unusual design technique.

Flamingo Crossing sign Cates Ct. @ Murdock Dr. [Map] Okay, maybe the lovely pink-feathered creatures don't make their home here. Somehow, one of the neighbors might be a highly devoted Jimmy Buffett fan, and wanted to bring a slice of Margaritaville to his neighborhood by putting up this very clever sign.

Inverted Mileage sign Churton St. (NC Hwy. 86) @ Corbin St. [Map] Normally, the city or town with the shortest distance would be on top. Even though Roxboro has a slightly closer distance to Hillsborough, the main highway through town (NC 86) only goes to Yanceyville. Roxboro can still be reached from here via NC 57, which begins about ¹/₂ mile past U.S. 70 Bypass.

Noise-Free Ordinance sign Cheshire Dr. @ Oakdale Dr. [Map] The residents of this rather quiet neighborhood made the effort to ensure it stays that way by reminding motorists not to play their car stereos too loud or engage in other activites that are more like to disturb the peace.

St. Mary Catholic School sign U.S. 70 East @ St. Mary's Rd. [Map] This little directional sign got a makeover when The Kantner School was bought by the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh in 2000 and later transformed into a parochial school. Interestingly enough, the school name is similar to what it was when the school campus opened as a private school back in the early 1970s.

Off-centered No Outlet sign Elizabeth Brady Rd @ U.S. 70-A [Map] While the sign may seem redundant, it may end up being discarded if a proposal to extend that road along the eastern edge of town to St. Mary's Rd. ever comes to pass.

School Crossing with Hats sign Hayes St. @ N. Nash St., across from Hillsborough Elementary School [Map] At first, this sign appeared to be a rather old school crossing sign. Turns out, somebody went ahead and decided to add a little something "extra" to it. By the way, this sign serves a nearby traditonal elemantary school, since Hillsborough Elem. is a year-round school.

Back to Orange County Superpage

Sign	Location	Description
Hotel U-Turn signs	U.S. 70 @ Mt. Hermon Church Rd., just off I-85 Exit 170 [Map]	Because of the way the intersection of 85 and 70 is set up, a motorist heading to one of the hotels when exiting I-85 South needs to make an awfully sharp U-turn before heading back towards the underpass before reaching his or her destination. Should I-85 ever go through a massive rehab project, the intersection seen here will go through a massive overhaul.
Modified School Crossing sign	Hope Valley Dr. @ Davis Rd. [Map]	If you look carefully, you'll notice that the figures in the sign aren't carrying around any baggage. Still, it's a clever way to get those who might not have already figured it out to slow down.
Traffic Islands sign	U.S. 70-A @ Featherwood Ct., adjacent to Wayside Baptist Church [Map]	The traffic island is actually a separator for a right turn lane that merges directly onto US 70 East. This particular sign makes that little patch of land easier to notice.
Farmer's Market sign	King St. @ Court St., next to Orange County Courthouse [Map]	This particular sign was designed in a special way so that it wouldn't have to be centered evenly like most signs. The fact that there was a telephone pole standing in its way would explain the sign's rather unusual design technique.
Flamingo Crossing sign	Cates Ct. @ Murdock Dr. [Map]	Okay, maybe the lovely pink-feathered creatures don't make their home here. Somehow, one of the neighbors might be a highly devoted Jimmy Buffett fan, and wanted to bring a slice of Margaritaville to his neighborhood by putting up this very clever sign.
Inverted Mileage sign	Churton St. (NC Hwy. 86) @ Corbin St. [Map]	Normally, the city or town with the shortest distance would be on top. Even though Roxboro has a slightly closer distance to Hillsborough, the main highway through town (NC 86) only goes to Yanceyville. Roxboro can still be reached from here via NC 57, which begins about ¹/₂ mile past U.S. 70 Bypass.
Noise-Free Ordinance sign	Cheshire Dr. @ Oakdale Dr. [Map]	The residents of this rather quiet neighborhood made the effort to ensure it stays that way by reminding motorists not to play their car stereos too loud or engage in other activites that are more like to disturb the peace.
St. Mary Catholic School sign	U.S. 70 East @ St. Mary's Rd. [Map]	This little directional sign got a makeover when The Kantner School was bought by the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh in 2000 and later transformed into a parochial school. Interestingly enough, the school name is similar to what it was when the school campus opened as a private school back in the early 1970s.
Off-centered No Outlet sign	Elizabeth Brady Rd @ U.S. 70-A [Map]	While the sign may seem redundant, it may end up being discarded if a proposal to extend that road along the eastern edge of town to St. Mary's Rd. ever comes to pass.
School Crossing with Hats sign	Hayes St. @ N. Nash St., across from Hillsborough Elementary School [Map]	At first, this sign appeared to be a rather old school crossing sign. Turns out, somebody went ahead and decided to add a little something "extra" to it. By the way, this sign serves a nearby traditonal elemantary school, since Hillsborough Elem. is a year-round school.