My fascination with hand painted and old neon signs brought to mind this photo I took of the Reading Terminal Market sign a few years back.
From Wikipedia:
Open-air markets flourished in Philadelphia since its founding. Growth of the city demanded more markets, and the string of open-air markets extending from the Delaware River ran for six blocks, or one full mile, prompting the main street (then called ‘High Street’) to be renamed “Market Street”. Soon after the markets reached their peak growth and capacity, open-air markets within the city became seen as dirty and unhygienic by the public. The frenzy of activity along the main street was seen as a nuisance and traffic hazard. In 1859, city officials bowed to public pressure and dismantled all of them. This prompted two indoor markets to open at 12th and Market Streets, Franklin Market and Farmers’ Market. These two would be the foundation of the Reading Terminal Market.
1906 Reading Terminal Market Postcard
