Cigar Store Indians pt 2

Cigar Store Indians are a form of American Folk Art dating back to the 1800s. Because many immigrants couldn’t read English, it was common to use visual trade signs such as a carving instead of written signs to bridge the language barrier. Cigar Store Indians (aka Wooden Indians) were commonly placed on the walk in front of tobacconist shops to direct illiterate customers to the shop. Other businesses used trade signs too… a barber pole for a barber shop, a key for a locksmith, a pair of scissors for a tailor or three gold balls for a pawn shop. Said to be the most popular, the Indian was chosen for a tobacco shop because Indians introduced tobacco to early explorers of the Americas.

Cigar Store Indians are usually made of wood, are three dimensional and can be as large as life-sized. Due to a variety of reasons… sidewalk-obstruction laws, higher manufacturing costs, tobacco advertising restrictions and increased racial sensitivity… the Cigar Store Indian has become an advertising antiquity.

Doors From Around the World

I am fascinated by doors… as I have traveled around the world I seem to find myself in front of them, photographing them and wondering what is on the other side of them.

Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico

San Luis Rey Mission, Oceanside, CA, USA

San Luis Rey Mission, Oceanside, CA USA

Mission, San Ignacio, Baja, MX

Sturbridge Village, MA, USA

Athens, Greece

Milan, Italy

Sturbridge Village, MA, USA

Sturbridge Village, MA, USA

Mission, San Ignacio, Baja, MX

Mission, San Ignacio, Baja, MX

Mission, San Ignacio, Baja, MX

Mission, San Ignacio, Baja, MX

Saints of Todos Santos

On a recent trip to Mexico, I was driving around the town of Todos Santos (Baja California Sur).  As I was driving around sightseeing and re-aquainting myself with the town, I made a wrong turn.

That wrong turn was a “blessing” … as I drove down the road there was a long sidewalk wall that had been painted with various saints.  I believe the artwork was painted by school age children.  Anyway, I had to take photos!  So, I left my friend in the car (it was 90+ degrees outside), walked over and started taking pictures of each individual saint.

It was a treacherous undertaking as the road was curvy and the sidewalk wound around a blind curve… but I am happy with the results!

La Virgen de Guadalupe

St. James

Saint Sophia

Virgen de Ocotlan

San Rafael

Saint Marguerite de Youville

La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre

Sta. Catarina

Christ Statue Park, Yucca Valley, CA

Back in the 50s, the Christ Statue Park was created by sculptor Antone Martin.

This hillside park is adjacent to a church with 35+ statues of Biblical figures… some recreating events from the Bible. The statuary also shows various apostles and/or others in what appears to be discussions or taking time to contemplate. There are even 1 or 2 figures that are lying down… maybe they are resting or maybe they are just enjoying the sun on their alabaster skin. All sculptures appear to be placed facing away from the sun… with the exception of Jesus who always seems to face Yucca Valley. Unfortunately, a 7.3 earthquake back in 1992, damaged some of the sculptures… removing heads and hands… rebar sticks out bare as if someone took the sculptures skin off.

Martin also built a large wall with the Last Supper in bas relief. (You can go behind the wall and place your head in the window next to Jesus… it’s ok… the wall was built for this!)

“Burger Run” @ the Peppertree Frosty

So. An old friend of mine was between trips to Tokyo and London (knowing I am a classic car freak) he gave me a call about the “Burger Run” at the Peppertree Frosty in Vista, CA .

Here are the photos: