16 Public Signs from the Past That Would Be Outrageous Today
Here's a startling glimpse into history’s public signs, which reveal the blatant prejudices and social norms that once ruled everyday life, reminding us how far we’ve come and how vigilance remains essential.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Public signs from the past serve as stark reminders of the social injustices, prejudices, and rigid norms that once shaped everyday life in communities around the world. From blatantly racist segregation notices to exclusionary gender rules, these signs reveal how discrimination was not only tolerated but openly enforced. Reflecting on these outdated messages challenges us to recognize progress while remaining vigilant against the subtle forms of exclusion that persist today.
1. “No Dogs, No Blacks, No Irish” – UK, 1950s-60s
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This chilling sign was found on lodging houses and shopfronts in post-war Britain. It starkly illustrates the racism and xenophobia that many immigrants, particularly from the Caribbean and Ireland, faced during the Windrush era. Today, such open discrimination would not only be illegal but universally condemned.
2. “We Cater to White Trade Only” – United States, Jim Crow Era
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Common in Southern states, these signs were openly displayed in restaurants and stores, proudly declaring racial segregation as business policy. They were a visual symptom of a deeply entrenched system of institutional racism. Looking back, it’s hard to fathom that such blatant exclusion was once normalized.
3. “Colored Waiting Room” – American South, 20th Century
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At bus stations, hospitals, and train depots, these signs directed Black citizens to separate and often vastly inferior facilities. These signs enforced Jim Crow laws that systematically oppressed African Americans under the guise of “separate but equal.” The psychological and physical impact of these segregated spaces still echoes today.
4. “Whites Only” Water Fountains – USA, 1930s-60s
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Public amenities like water fountains bore these labels in places where racial segregation was law. Photographs of these signs are now iconic reminders of America’s racist past. They are perhaps some of the most haunting visuals of everyday apartheid in the U.S.
5. “No Spitting on the Sidewalk – Penalty $5” – USA, Early 1900s
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Once a common public health sign during tuberculosis outbreaks, these warnings were serious and widespread. While the concern was legitimate, the language and enforcement often felt punitive rather than educational. Today, we approach disease prevention with greater nuance and empathy.
6. “No Women Allowed” – Private Clubs, Early to Mid-20th Century
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This was a common policy across gentlemen’s clubs, university societies, and even some workplaces. The sign represented a belief that women’s presence would disturb the sanctity of male spaces. It’s a sharp contrast to today’s push for inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
7. “No Indians or Dogs Allowed” – Canada, 19th to Early 20th Century
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Seen in various establishments, this sign expressed a cruel hierarchy where Indigenous people were viewed as less than human. It was an extension of colonial attitudes that sought to erase Native cultures. Such signs remain a painful memory for many First Nations communities.
8. “Don’t Speak German” – USA, WWI Era
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During World War I, anti-German sentiment led to signs forbidding the public use of the German language in schools and towns. German books were banned, and communities were pressured to Americanize. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly patriotism can turn into paranoia.
9. “No Mexicans Allowed” – Texas, 1920s-30s
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Anglo-owned establishments posted this sign to keep out Mexican Americans, many of whom were U.S. citizens. It wasn’t just words — it was backed by social exclusion and economic discrimination. The sign captures a history of marginalization that still affects communities today.
10. “Keep Off the Grass – Under Penalty of the Law” – USA & UK, Mid-20th Century
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This one seems quaint but reflects a rigid, almost authoritarian control of public space. Parks were treated like museums, not community hubs. Now, we celebrate kids playing and dogs running freely — something once considered borderline criminal.
11. “Whites to the Front, Coloreds to the Rear” – Public Buses, 1940s USA
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These signs on buses, enforced by law, dictated where Black passengers could sit. Rosa Parks’ act of defiance in Montgomery made this symbol of racial injustice globally infamous. The signs weren’t just instructions — they were instruments of dehumanization.
12. “Negroes and Dogs Not Allowed” – USA, Mid-20th Century
Anoir Chafik from Unsplash
It’s hard to believe these were ever considered acceptable, but they adorned restaurants, motels, and stores. Often paired with cheerful fonts and smiling cartoon mascots, the brutality was hidden in plain sight. They showcased how systemic racism was masked as ordinary business practice.
13. “No Women in the Taproom” – UK & Australia, Until 1970s
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Pubs often enforced a gender-based boundary where women could only sit in designated “ladies’ lounges.” The taproom was a “male space,” and the sign made that clear. It reflected broader gender norms that saw women as either delicate or unwelcome.
14. “Quarantine: Smallpox” – USA, Early 20th Century
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Homes with infected individuals had official signs nailed to their doors warning of quarantine. These signs were public, stigmatizing, and sometimes incited fear or even violence from neighbors. It’s a chilling precedent to today’s discussions about privacy and health.
15. “No Hippies Allowed” – America, 1960s-70s
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During the counterculture movement, many diners and motels posted signs banning long-haired youth who looked like hippies. To some, peace signs and bell-bottoms were as threatening as violence. It’s a forgotten chapter in the culture wars that framed appearance as criminal.
16. “Jews Not Wanted” – Europe, Pre-WWII
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Before the Holocaust, anti-Semitic signs were common in parts of Germany, Poland, and elsewhere in Europe. These signs marked Jewish businesses or warned non-Jews to avoid them, contributing to the machinery of hate. They were a sinister prelude to a devastating genocide.