Massachusetts Turnpike route marker

Description

The Massachusetts Turnpike runs the entire length of the state, from Boston to the Berkshires. It was conceived of in the early 1950s as a means to bolster the Massachusetts economy with a large public works project. When the road opened in 1957, it bore distinctive highway markers with the words “MASS. PIKE” and an image of an arrow piercing a pilgrim hat. This design would be in use in various forms until 1989, when the arrow was removed from the hat. Sources differ as to why the Turnpike Authority made this change. Some say there was a concern that the implication of violence against the Pilgrims would be offensive to Native Americans. A much simpler explanation offered is that drivers were often confused as to whether the arrow was intended to convey directional information or not.

Our Massachusetts Turnpike sign is a precise replica of those original mid-1950s signs installed along the highway at its opening. We’ve recreated them using photographs of actual surviving signs to ensure complete historical accuracy. This style of sign hasn’t been seen on the roads of Massachusetts for decades at this point. When you see one on the collector’s market, you can expect to pay a hefty premium for it. With our replica you save money, while getting a display piece that will serve just as well as an original, without having to track one down!

Our Massachusetts Turnpike marker is printed in the United States on heavy 14-gauge steel. (No cheap tin or aluminum here!) It’s non-reflective, allowing it to pair well with the decor of your office, bar, den, man cave, or anywhere else. It’s suitable for outdoor display, too, with a weatherproof coating that will last through many a New England winter. To make installation easy, we’ve included convenient pre-drilled mounting holes, too. This sign is available in the following sizes:

• 12 in. × 9.6 in.
• 20 in. × 16 in.
• 30 in. × 24 in.
• 40 in. × 32 in.

Looking for another sign? We can make road signs from any era, any region, anywhere in the world! Check out the rest of our site for Interstate, U.S., and state route markers. And if you’re wanting something we don’t have listed, don’t worry! You can place a custom order—just contact Jake to get started.