Hobo signs - Beginning in the 1880's up until World War Two, hoboes
placed markings on fences, posts, sidewalks, buildings, trestles, bridge
abutments, and railroad line side equipment to aid them and others of their
kind in finding help or steering them clear of trouble. Usually, these signs
would be written in chalk or coal letting others know what they could expect
in the area of the symbol. The classic American hobo of the late 19th and
early 20th centuries communicated through a basic system of markings, a
code though which they gave information and warnings to their fellow Knights
of the Road. Today hoboes communicate with cellular phones, and e-mail.
"A-No.1 At Rest At Last"
Copyright by Grahamqckr 2001