This Western Auto store chain was founded in 1909 in Kansas City, MO, selling auto parts and accessories. It grew to more than 5,000 company-owned and associate stores across the country. The stores expanded their product lines to include appliances, electronics, hardware, outdoor equipment, and bicycles. Over the years, the company was bought out by several other companies including Sears and Advance Auto Parts. Although the use of the Western Auto name was ruled illegal in 2006, a few stores are still hold-outs including this one in Anniston and others in Grafton, VA and Minden, LA. This location in Anniston had opened by the 1930s. It continues to sell lawnmowers, appliances, and toys. Most of the remaining projecting signs on public display have been repurposed by other businesses. The giant Western Auto rooftop sign in Kansas City survives. For more, see this website. [map]

The Vann Thomas Motel has been here since at least 1958. However, a postcard shows that it had a different sign then. This sign was missing the bottom half of the arrow when this photo was taken in 2010. By 2013, the sign was gone. For more, see this website.

This American Legion post was established around 1926. This sign originally had neon and was probably built in the 1950s. [map]

The Walker Drug Store is gone but this sign remains. [map]