Signs in Rural Orange County

Rural Orange County Signs

Here we have some awesome signs from the Rural O.C.! No, it's not exactly a hot new show on Fox that mixes "The OC" with "Green Acres". Rather, it's the rural landscape of Orange County, NC (not to be confused with the one in California, of course). The rural parts of the county display a wide array of beautiful vistas, rolling hills, wide open spaces, and farms galore. This area definitely has its 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

Gravel Road text sign [NEW] Lloydtown Rd. @ Saxapahaw Rd., off NC Hwy. 54, near Saxapahaw [Map] When I took this picture, the road didn't appear to resemble your typical gravel road. At first glance, it looked more like a typical paved road. Still, its surface was rough enough to merit its standing as a gravel road.

Welcome to Schley sign NC Hwy. 57 @ Schley Rd., Schley [Map] One look at this sign and you can tell you're in the country now. A rather obscure reference to this community is listed here as well.

Rumble Strip sign Guess Rd. (NC Hwy. 157) @ Sneed Rd., just south of NC Hwy. 57; Caldwell [Map] The rumble strips are actually patches of rough pavement designed to alert the motorist of the intersection up ahead. Even if you can't see them, you'll definitely feel 'em.

Orange Slow Down - Children sign Southern Dr. @ Terrace View Dr., off NC Hwy. 54 west of Carrboro [Map] Nice use of a bright color to get motorists to take it easy when coming through.

Hickory Grove Church sign NC Hwy. 54 @ Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Rd., near White Cross [Map] The original alignment of Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Road was shifted in late 2003 to accommodate the expansion of a nearby rock quarry operation. The church decided to put these signs up at strategic locations in Chapel Hill and Carrboro so that parishoners wouldn't get lost when trying to get there.

Pavement Ends text sign Arthur Minnis Rd. @ Rocky Ridge Rd., near Dodsons Crossroads community [Map] This rare text-only sign alerts motorists to a dirt road coming up ahead. Oddly enough, this sign was altered somewhat when a stretch of this road was paved over to accomodate a newly-built subdivision.

Junked Cars sign U.S. 70 @ Redman Crossing, Efland [Map] This is not so much a road sign as it is a clear outspoken statement. One of the residents in this area is drawing attention to nearby property being used for automobile salvage yards. The unseemly sight of rusted-out, broken-down, and wrecked motor vehicles is more than enough to raise a huge stink indeed.

Curve Inlet sign
[View 1] [View 2] White Cross Rd. @ Butler Rd., White Cross community [Map] How these two roads meet is very uncommon indeed. Since the side road meets the main road here at a very sharp curve and at an odd angle, there's bound to be trouble brewing. Both sides are shown here to give a good idea of how the motorist might approach this particular intersection. View 1 is seen heading south, while View 2 is seen heading north.

Voluntary Agricultural District sign St. Mary's Rd. @ Walnut Hill Dr.; northeast of Hillsborough [Map] These signs are generally placed next to land that is used primarily for agricultural purposes in an effort to preserve the rural landscape throughout much of Orange County. Basically, it means that the landowner has agreed in principle to only use the land available only for such purposes. Click here for more information on agricultural preservation in Orange County. Strangely enough, this particular sign is missing the "y" on the end of "County."

End State Road sign Perry Rd. @ Shambley Rd., Efland [Map] This particular road has quite an unsual setup. Beyond this particular sign, there is a rather small stretch of gravel road that spans for an entire block before it becomes a paved road again. Also, the road name changes to Paylor Street and continues on for yet another block, until the road takes a nice 90-degree bend to the right. From there the road name changes yet again, this time it is now Lancaster Road. This rather unusual scenario proves that road planners do have a pretty good sense of humor, albeit slightly twisted.

Back to Orange County Superpage

Sign	Location	Description
Gravel Road text sign [NEW]	Lloydtown Rd. @ Saxapahaw Rd., off NC Hwy. 54, near Saxapahaw [Map]	When I took this picture, the road didn't appear to resemble your typical gravel road. At first glance, it looked more like a typical paved road. Still, its surface was rough enough to merit its standing as a gravel road.
Welcome to Schley sign	NC Hwy. 57 @ Schley Rd., Schley [Map]	One look at this sign and you can tell you're in the country now. A rather obscure reference to this community is listed here as well.
Rumble Strip sign	Guess Rd. (NC Hwy. 157) @ Sneed Rd., just south of NC Hwy. 57; Caldwell [Map]	The rumble strips are actually patches of rough pavement designed to alert the motorist of the intersection up ahead. Even if you can't see them, you'll definitely feel 'em.
Orange Slow Down - Children sign	Southern Dr. @ Terrace View Dr., off NC Hwy. 54 west of Carrboro [Map]	Nice use of a bright color to get motorists to take it easy when coming through.
Hickory Grove Church sign	NC Hwy. 54 @ Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Rd., near White Cross [Map]	The original alignment of Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Road was shifted in late 2003 to accommodate the expansion of a nearby rock quarry operation. The church decided to put these signs up at strategic locations in Chapel Hill and Carrboro so that parishoners wouldn't get lost when trying to get there.
Pavement Ends text sign	Arthur Minnis Rd. @ Rocky Ridge Rd., near Dodsons Crossroads community [Map]	This rare text-only sign alerts motorists to a dirt road coming up ahead. Oddly enough, this sign was altered somewhat when a stretch of this road was paved over to accomodate a newly-built subdivision.
Junked Cars sign	U.S. 70 @ Redman Crossing, Efland [Map]	This is not so much a road sign as it is a clear outspoken statement. One of the residents in this area is drawing attention to nearby property being used for automobile salvage yards. The unseemly sight of rusted-out, broken-down, and wrecked motor vehicles is more than enough to raise a huge stink indeed.
Curve Inlet sign [View 1] [View 2]	White Cross Rd. @ Butler Rd., White Cross community [Map]	How these two roads meet is very uncommon indeed. Since the side road meets the main road here at a very sharp curve and at an odd angle, there's bound to be trouble brewing. Both sides are shown here to give a good idea of how the motorist might approach this particular intersection. View 1 is seen heading south, while View 2 is seen heading north.
Voluntary Agricultural District sign	St. Mary's Rd. @ Walnut Hill Dr.; northeast of Hillsborough [Map]	These signs are generally placed next to land that is used primarily for agricultural purposes in an effort to preserve the rural landscape throughout much of Orange County. Basically, it means that the landowner has agreed in principle to only use the land available only for such purposes. Click here for more information on agricultural preservation in Orange County. Strangely enough, this particular sign is missing the "y" on the end of "County."
End State Road sign	Perry Rd. @ Shambley Rd., Efland [Map]	This particular road has quite an unsual setup. Beyond this particular sign, there is a rather small stretch of gravel road that spans for an entire block before it becomes a paved road again. Also, the road name changes to Paylor Street and continues on for yet another block, until the road takes a nice 90-degree bend to the right. From there the road name changes yet again, this time it is now Lancaster Road. This rather unusual scenario proves that road planners do have a pretty good sense of humor, albeit slightly twisted.