Signs of the Times

H. J. Smith & Sons General Merchandise Store on Columbia Street in Covington has a very intriguing historical museum next door, and the latest additions to the museum are old "signs of the times," that is, signage from downtown Covington stores that many people will remember from years gone by. 

This sign was once hanging from the "building supplies" section of H.J. Smith's Sons. The items on the wall in the background are just some of the interesting historical artifacts on display. Click on the image to make it larger.

The Patecek Store was at the corner of Columbia and Boston Streets, almost across from where the H.J. Smith & Sons store is located. Click on the images to make them larger.

 

 

 One of Covington's most famous watering holes was Tugy's Bar located in the Southern Hotel for many years (which also for a time was the St. Tammany Parish Government Administrative Complex, complete with courthouse offices and courtrooms, which some claim made it the only courthouse in the United States with its own corner bar.) Here's the sign from that establishment. The sign was made by T. L. Radford, who made many of the signs in the Covington commercial area. Mike Pittman put the sign on display at the Smith museum. 

For more information about H.J. Smith & Sons General Merchandise Store, CLICK HERE.

For a map to the store's location, CLICK HERE.