Remember the Burma-Shave signs? They’re back

Those of us above a certain age can remember with fondness the Burma-Shave signs, those roadside series of signs, usually with a humorous message, promoting Burma-Shave shaving cream. Now, thanks to Our Iowa magazine, many of those signs are coming back to our rural roadways.

Our Iowa magazine offered its readers a chance to participate in a program to bring a set of the signs to each of Iowa’s 99 counties. Now, Jasper County’s series has been posted south of Prairie City on Highway S6G. The signs can be read by northbound drivers just before the Prairie City city limits along the east side of the road.

Readers of the magazine were urged to nominate their town for a set of the signs, and Prairie City was chosen for Jasper County’s set of signs after members of the Prairie City Business Association submitted an application.

Young Allan Odell had the original idea for the Burma-Shave signs as a way to promote his family’s business in 1925, according to a press release from Our Iowa magazine. The first signs were erected along U.S. Highway 65 near Albert Lea, Minn., and quickly became a success. For almost 40 years, the signs dotted the highways of America, and nearly 7,000 were in existence at one time.

As highways improved and speed limits got faster, the Burma-Shave signs gradually disappeared.

Placement of the new signs was based on a number of factors, including traffic — they needed to be placed on a route with a good deal of traffic, but not where speeds are above 50 or 60 miles per hour. Plus, the community needed to show commitment, such as keeping the area around the signs trimmed and the signs in good shape. Our Iowa magazine has selected a “secret subscriber” in each county to ensure that the signs are well-maintained.

John Jennings can be contacted at (641) 792-3121 ext. 425 or via email at jjennings@newtondailynews.com.