Signpost Forest is a (free) roadside attraction in the town of Watson Lake BC. In 1942, when the Alaska Highway was being built, the US Army Engineers put up a directional post at their camp at this location. The signs pointed to camp facilities and the nearest communities. A homesick private named Carl Lindley added a sign pointing to his home town of Danville Illinois. That started a tradition that is now known as the World Famous Signpost Forest.
According to Watson Lake's website there are now over 72,000 signs. Anyone can add one -- and obviously many tourists do.
The tradition is to bring your own home-town sign, but a few other kinds of signs seem to have snuck in there as well.
We stayed in Watson Lake on our way back to the lower 48. And (only partly) because we'd never heard of this tradition we didn't add a sign -- we just took the ones that were already there (pictures only).
So if you visit Watson Lake, don't forget your sign.
Linking to SIGNS SIGNS (obviously) and GOOD FENCES (stretching a bit, but the meme is about gates too and the top pictures does show the gateway into the Forest.)
Thank you to Lesley for Signs and Theresa (TexWis Girl) at the RunAroundRanch for Good Fences. Visit and link up!!
Lots of signs!
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | November 10, 2014 at 06:20 PM
Wow, I've never heard of this before. Very interesting. I would love to bring my own hometown sign and puzzle people where it came from and in what language it is in.
It must be very intereting to see, guess, compare and be surprised if different signs brought there.
Posted by: Mari | November 09, 2014 at 06:52 AM
Wow! That is just too cool! I've never seen anything like it!
Posted by: Brian King | November 08, 2014 at 07:31 AM
Amazing what one little sign started. Such fun, colorful shots these are of this unique site.
Posted by: Pat | November 07, 2014 at 08:24 AM
Those are beautiful "signs".
And good news will be heard soon.
Posted by: Rainfield | November 07, 2014 at 06:06 AM
Wow!!! What a scene of "A FOREST OF SIGNS"(*^▽^*) Do you think it sure is America where have free place spirit♪
I'm away from PC for more than a week,Sallie. See you in two weeks, my dear friend. Please Take Care till I come back!
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | November 07, 2014 at 03:01 AM
A forest of signs. Now that's a new expression. What a lovely idea; a symbolic way of saying that we are all one forest, though many trees. Love it.
Posted by: Gemma Wiseman | November 07, 2014 at 01:12 AM
I love this Sallie and what a great way to start a tradition. Thanks for sharing it. I am going back to read those signs :) Thanks so much for your very sweet comments on my blog. They made me feel so happy when I read them and you are a dear sweet lady for leaving them.
Posted by: DeniseinVA | November 06, 2014 at 10:16 PM
This is amazing. A new one for my bucket list.
Posted by: Jen | November 06, 2014 at 05:33 PM
That is absolutely amazing!
Posted by: Gaelyn | November 06, 2014 at 05:14 PM
Looks like a fence of signs to me!
;-)
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | November 06, 2014 at 05:03 PM
My goodness those are a lot of signs. Quite an interesting place.
Posted by: Stephanie's Images | November 06, 2014 at 03:39 PM
Wow that is something else. Looks like a fun place to visit.
Posted by: Ida P. Krause | November 06, 2014 at 02:24 PM
Now THAT was a hoot!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | November 06, 2014 at 01:45 PM
this is a cracking idea.
Posted by: Margaret Birding For Pleasure | November 06, 2014 at 12:59 PM
Holy Toledo! This place is amazing!
Posted by: EG CameraGirl | November 06, 2014 at 12:10 PM
Very cool tradition. I love learning stuff like this. Thanks!
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | November 06, 2014 at 09:54 AM
Looked like that around here before the election.
Posted by: Dianne | November 06, 2014 at 09:50 AM
Wow ! I have never seen such a thing !
Posted by: Gattina | November 06, 2014 at 08:46 AM
What a great idea!
Posted by: Lady Fi | November 06, 2014 at 06:57 AM
WOW...how confusing...I would get lost for sure trying to find my sign..lol
Posted by: Sondra-SC | November 06, 2014 at 06:19 AM
WOW, what an amazing sight.. Seeing the signs from allover the world. I would have been taking photos too.
Posted by: Eileen | November 06, 2014 at 02:11 AM
This is awesome. I looked at the site on Google street view... It's also massive.
Posted by: Andy | November 06, 2014 at 01:01 AM
Priceless! I would have had my camera out too! Was there nowhere local making signs-for you to get one???
Posted by: Hazel | November 05, 2014 at 11:58 PM
This is amazing ! And. unique! I have never seen this before!
Thanks for this funpost
Wil, ABCW Team
Posted by: Reader Wil | November 05, 2014 at 11:40 PM
Oh my goodness! That will keep you busy on Signs, Signs for quite a while!
Posted by: Linda | November 05, 2014 at 09:34 PM
Wow! Now that's a plethora of signs. I like this sign post forest...very cool!
Posted by: ellen b | November 05, 2014 at 08:33 PM
You ALWAYS find the best signs! :)
Posted by: Carletta | November 05, 2014 at 07:28 PM
Wow how cool is that. thanks for sharing this fun post.
Posted by: Felicia | November 05, 2014 at 07:11 PM
Which way is home, Sallie?
Posted by: Barb | November 05, 2014 at 06:12 PM
That's a great idea - I'd love to add a sign for my part of the world.
Posted by: Al | November 05, 2014 at 06:03 PM
Wow! That's a LOT of signs! Fun post!
Posted by: Marie-AZ | November 05, 2014 at 05:27 PM
You couldn't have found a better place to photograph for this meme!
Posted by: Lois | November 05, 2014 at 05:24 PM
Wow, that's quite a collection of signs.
Posted by: Carver | November 05, 2014 at 03:36 PM
I love this, Sallie!
Posted by: RedPat | November 05, 2014 at 02:39 PM
How cool is this! I wish that it was closer, I'd be there camera in hand in a flash! Tom The Backroads Traveller
Posted by: Tom The Backroads Traveller | November 05, 2014 at 01:59 PM
OMG, I´ve never seen anything like it. It is strange how things like this can happen. People always ad and it stays. :)I like it a lot!
Posted by: NatureFootstep Travel | November 05, 2014 at 01:42 PM
Can't believe this..amazing! :))
Posted by: Marleen | November 05, 2014 at 12:03 PM
What a great piece of American! :)
Posted by: Penny | November 05, 2014 at 11:19 AM
i just LOVE it! :D quirky and goofy and so much fun!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | November 05, 2014 at 11:04 AM