SIGNS OF BROOKLINE

by Kevin Walsh

Despite federal guidelines elsewhere that mandate green and white reflective street signs, Brookline, Massachusetts (the birthplace of John F. Kennedy) has always been permitted to retain its handsome set of bas relief street signs, with a silver background and black letters.

Have the signs been landmarked? 

11/18/11

6 comments

ew-3 November 18, 2011 - 2:39 pm

Brookline was also the place of birth of Mayor Mike.

Why are the signs still there? In MA the state doesn’t always feel compelled to obey the law. They just
ignore the ones they don’t want to.

Reply
Edward Findlay November 19, 2011 - 6:12 pm

There has been attempts to landmark the signs but that only came about after the mandate was passed.

It isn’t a requirement YET to replace the signs and the state has given the blessing to the town to keep the signs for now.
The mandate was also dropped recently so it doesn’t matter.

Reply
jj November 19, 2011 - 7:49 pm

Bloomberg was born in Allston

Mike Dukakis was born in Brookline , as was Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes

Reply
Darrell November 22, 2011 - 12:40 pm

Driving around Mass, I see all sorts of color combinations: green/white, blue/white, white/black, green/yellow, white/green. I had no idea there was a Federal mandate and apparently the state isn’t complying.

Reply
Timothy November 24, 2011 - 12:27 pm

I remember these signs very well when I was in the Boston area during the 1980s. The newest Brookline signs I remember (1992) were using the green/white scheme, but I am glad these signs are holding out.

And I hate this Federal regulation on signs!! It also has an effect on the Adirondacks, where brown background/yellow lettering is used, which I consider snazzy.

Reply
t. robinson December 7, 2015 - 1:03 am

I love street signs. I have 3 vintage big city signs on display in my mancave. the brookline signs look great and unique just leave them up!!!

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.