New old signs on Boyd’s Creek

Arrowhead look back where it belongs

The Herald Newspapers ran a series of articles by Jack Sawyer a few months ago titled “Tales of Boyd’s Creek.” In the first of that series, Mr. Sawyer mentioned the welcome signs at either end of the historical community. The signs were the standard generic green signs that the highway department now uses for the majority of our communities. Mr. Sawyer thought that it would be a great idea if the signs, which were hung in the 1950’s and cut in the shape of an arrowhead, could be re-located and hung once again, displaying the community logo in the center, which would give visitors a warmer welcome to the community.
Sawyer thought if he could find one of the old signs, have it reproduced, they could be placed in the position where the new signs were. Sawyer set out to talk with several long time residents in his quest for the new signs. Kelly Cannon, a Boyd’s Creek resident, told Sawyer that he thought he knew where one of the signs were, and sure enough one of the old signs was relocated.
Donation jars were placed in two local stores and residents were asked to contribute to help pay to have the signs cut, painted and re-hung. Several individuals gave to the project and with the help of Sevier County Commissioner, Jim Keener, the county agreed to help with the cost.
The metal was cut at “Mountain Air Signs” of Pigeon Forge and the lettering and Jake Snow of “Snow Sign Works” located in New Center reproduced the logo by hand.
Many residents have told Mr. Sawyer that it’s good to see the signs they knew as youngsters again. The next time you drive along Boyd’s Creek, take a look at the signs that many helped to get back up and heed the bottom line, please drive carefully. Mr. Sawyer wishes to express his gratitude to all that contributed to the project, and the community would like to thank Mr. Sawyer for his idea and work in getting these historical signs back in the community.