Most locals already know how to navigate their way over to the T&P Depot and Museum, Caddo Lake or East Texas Baptist University.
Now visitors will be able to find their way to these with greater ease as they come in on major highways with the recent installation of new wayfinding signs.
"We're excited to roll out the wayfinding program as prescribed by our partners at fd2s," said Brand Manager John Arend. "Wayfinding signs are a critical element in tourism development plans because there are so many attractions in and around Marshall."
Directional signs near the U.S. Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 80 intersections indicate these local attractions and have high visibility for travelers new to the area.
"We know that there are a lot of different reasons why people visit here," said Arend. "The pageantry banners contribute to the excitement, and the directional wayfinding signs make it easier for visitors to find their way around."
Banner signs, also part of wayfinding, as flown from light poles along U.S. 59 help highlight some of these, like Wonderland of Lights, Caddo Lake and downtown.
Arend praised continued collaboration with fd2s, the city of Marshall and Texas Department of Transportation as more signs have yet to be erected.
"J.C. Hughes and Frank Johnson have been tremendous in helping us coordinate with TxDOT," said Arend. "We look forward to a lot more to come."
Hughes in particular worked to gain easements along right-of-ways for the wayfinding signs as well as four welcome signs as guests enter the city.
"One wayfinding sign has a right-of-way problem, and we will have to relocate it since the location suggested by TxDOT doesn't have enough room," said Hughes. "The other two welcome signs were delayed as their base plates are being completed, but they will be installed on the next trip over."
The best part about the new signs are their visibility to drivers and ability to gain attention amidst the roadside swamp of advertising images.
"I certainly think there are a lot of signs competing for attention," said Hughes. "What makes these stand out from the rest is the color. They are competing with other signs but help direct people around because they are very notable."
bigedtuk posted at 10:11 pm on Thu, Jul 7, 2011.
(continued) Pemberton was the creation of a legendary visionary and founder who believed that black children should be afforded a chance with a great education. In an era when members of the classes of 68-69 had to enter the Paramount Theater through a side door and sit in the balcony; we celebrated in its shadow. All who visit my fair home town should put the Heritage Museum on its list. My Mother once worked in the sweatshop that was the City Laundry and but last week we danced the night away and reflected on the "good ole days." The Heritage is a must-see.
bigedtuk posted at 9:49 pm on Thu, Jul 7, 2011.
I think visitors to Marshall should be made of aware of the Hertiage Museum at Pemberton Highschool. I recently attended the Pemberton High reunion of the classes of 1968 and 1969 and was amazed how a group of Marshallites have preserved the history of a community that has been largely forgotten, thoe of us that are the Pemberton Panthers. Existing about a mile from the old Marshall Highschool in a town that virtually ignored our very existence the reunion celebrated in the old City Laundry a history as rich as any
MAV posted at 9:55 am on Wed, Jul 6, 2011.
[smile]They will be very helpful! I just returned from visiting St. Louis Missouri and even though we had a gps, the signs played a very big part of helping us navigate around downtown St Louis. Big plus for Marshall.......