Donations for historic Pepsi Sign restoration requested.

Artist Rendering of Restored sign by Lou Ann Peters

The Thomasville Historic Preservation Commission is looking to restore the Historic Pepsi Cola sign painted on the building located at the northwest corner of Salem Street and J.W. Thomas Way. Photos dated from the late 1920’s show the sign in its humble beginnings. The painted sign that once covered most of the southern wall of the building has faded over the years, but a ghostly outline of the early advertisement is still visible. Communities across the nation view the restoration of these remaining signs from vividly memorable advertising campaigns as a positive contribution to the preservation of local heritage. In the case of Pepsi Cola, there is the added significance of preserving the history of a company that was founded in North Carolina--in New Bern in the late 1890s.

Other buildings in Thomasville still show evidence of painted advertisements. Most of them have faded to the point that they are no longer recognizable. Across the street from the Pepsi Cola sign an old hardware store sign reads “Distributors Of” and the rest has weathered away completely. A few local buildings sporting these painted advertisements have been torn down over the years—a tragic loss of both our valuable historic assets and the reminder of distinctive vintage advertising.

Since the listing last year of Thomasville’s Business District in the National Register of Historic Places a few building owners have expressed interest in taking advantage of the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits available the state and federal levels. The restoration of the Pepsi Cola sign will contribute to on-going efforts to attract more people to the downtown area. If you wish to be a part of this Pepsi Cola sign restoration project, a new facet of the local historic preservation program, contributions may be made to the Thomasville Historic Preservation Commission, PO Box 368, Thomasville, North Carolina 27361.