SSoIH Databank of Hobo Signs and sources.
We have over 380 hobo signs that we have gathered over time. When possible we have the source listed.| Afraid Occupants are timid. |  | Generic Internet [afraid, scared, timid, beg] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #30 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #79 |
| No Alcohol Town The ladle is upside down. |  | Generic Internet [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| No Alcohol Town Dry Town - dipper inverted. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Dry Town This symbol took the shape of an upside down cup and said that this town did not sell or allow alcohol. Don't try to buy it or even display it if you had it. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Prohibition Town This is a prohibition town. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Town Allows Alcohol The ladle is right side up. |  | Generic Internet [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Alchohal In This Town SSoIH Note: "Alchohal" is how alcohol is spelled in his book. |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #27 [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Alcohol In This Town |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #33 [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Alcohol In This Town (An upright dipper) There is alcohol in this town. An inverted dipper warns of impending temperance. | | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #49 [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Many Blind Pigs |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Alcohol In This Town This symbol shows an open mug which means that this town serves alcohol. This same symbol without showing the top, would mean that this town is a “dry” town. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [alcohol, booze, liquor] See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 |
| This Town Has Saloons This town has saloons. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [alcohol, booze, liquor] |
| Alms Given [Paris, France 1912] An open hand, with two arrows pointing in opposite ways, informs the wandering beggar that alms are given in those houses marked by the ciphers in front of the arrow heads. |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, food, handout] |
| Angel Angel at mission too sympathetic welfare worker. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [angel, mission, food, lodging] |
| Hobos Arrested On Sight Stan Richards describes "(handcuffs) The Police here frown on hobos." Henry Dreyfuss describes "Police here frown on hobos" |  | Generic Internet [hobo, arrest, jail, law, warning] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #30 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #52 |
| Dont Give Up Police Frown On Hoboes Dan Beard describes "Persevere" |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #48 [hobo, arrest, jail, law, warning] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #31 |
| Police Will Lock You Up Avoid places where you see this sign. For no reason at all, police will arrest you and put you in jail to either keep favor with townspeople or to add you to their own private free labor work force. | | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [hobo, arrest, jail, law, warning] |
| Hostile Cops police bracelets or "jewelry" (handcuffs) |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [hobo, arrest, jail, law, warning] |
| Go Around This Town The bad experience of others was communicated through the display of this symbol. It meant to take the long way around or trouble was sure to happen. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [go around, way, direction, travel] |
| Go To Back Door |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [food, beg] |
| Can Sleep In Barn |  | Generic Internet [food, travel, lodging, sleep, camp, loft] |
| Sleep In Barn Sleep In Hayloft There were many variations of this symbol but should a hobo discover one, they would know that either by sneaking or asking permission, the barn or hayloft was a good place to sleep or escape foul weather. Henry Dreyfuss describes "You can sleep in hayloft" |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [food, travel, lodging, sleep, camp] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #34 |
| You may sleep in the hayloft here. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #5 [food, travel, lodging, sleep, camp] |
| You may sleep in the hay loft here. |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #39 [food, travel, lodging, sleep, camp] |
| You Can Sleep In The Loft |  | Generic Internet [food, travel, lodging, sleep, camp, barn] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #7 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #35 |
| Allowed To Spend Night In Hayloft |  | The Havre Herald - 1908 [food, travel, lodging, sleep, camp, barn] |
| Be Bold Here |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [bold, beg, story] |
| Get Bread Here Hobos became very good misers and learned to making much out of little. Even the less fortunate of homes generally could spare a slice of stale bread or leftover rolls. If a bread symbol could be found, the chance of assembling a meal of simple ingredients was a chance of a full belly |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [food, bread] |
| This House To Be Burglarised |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [thief, rob, steal, yegg] |
| Camp Here Henry Dreyfuss describes "You can camp here" Dan Beard describes "You may camp here" |  | Generic Internet [camp, jungle, safe] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #4 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #13 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #38 |
| You May Camp Here |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #49 [camp, jungle, safe] |
| Safe Camp |  | Generic Internet [camp, jungle, safe] See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #9 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #77 |
| Safe Camp Good Water |  | Generic Internet [camp, jungle, safe] |
| Fresh Water Safe Camp |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #14 [camp, jungle, safe] |
| Safe Camp Good Water Miles between towns were often many. It could take days to reach your next destination. Finding a safe place to camp undisturbed that had good clean water nearby and had plenty of firewood made the perfect camp. Finding this symbol was a relief, especially after a long walk. Stan Richards describes "Fresh water and a safe campsite." |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [camp, jungle, safe] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #50 |
| Chain Gang |  | Generic Internet [chaingang, inmate, jail] |
| Cheap Town cheap wages, poor conditions, and so on. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [poor, cheap, town, work, money] |
| City Detective Here |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [cops, police, bulls, officials, eye] |
| Clothes Here The letter G means gooseberry or washline, where clothes are left out all night and the tramp can exchange a dirty shirt for a clean one. |  | The Stark County Democrat - 1904 [clothes] |
| Cops Are Active Stan Richards describes "(An open eye) The authorities here are alert; be careful." Terry Fox describes "Town is awake Police are looking for hoboes" |  | Generic Internet [cops, police, bulls, officials, eye] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #12 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #23 |
| Authorities Are Alert Police and political figures of some towns tried to keep their town hobo free and were constantly on the lookout. A hobo who was fortunate enough to spot this symbol could save themselves a lot of trouble. Henry Dreyfuss describes "Authorities here are alert" | | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [cops, police, bulls, officials, eye] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #53 |
| Police Are Alert Hostile Town - bulls' (police) eyes open. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [cops, police, bulls, officials, eye] |
| Cops Inactive Stan Richards describes "(A closed eye) This community is realatively indiferent to a hobo's presence." Terry Fox describes "Town is asleep and not looking for Hoboes" Henry Dreyfuss describes "This community indifferent to hobos" |  | Generic Internet [cops, police, bulls, officials, eye] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #11 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #41 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #11 |
| Cops Asleep Slow Burg - bulls' asleep. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [cops, police, bulls, officials, eyes, asleep] |
| One Cop Town stroke below means only night watchman here. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [cops, police, bulls, officials, eye] |
| Night Watchman Here Only |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [cops, police, bulls, officials, eye] |
| Will Refuse but con and you will get |  | The Sun - 1879 [cowards, give, beg] |
| Cowards! Will Give To Get Rid Of You Hobos had a tendency to cause fear in some households or places that had little or no protection. These people would gladly offer food or money rather than deal with the confrontation of a hobo. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [cowards, give, beg] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #46 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #49 |
| Use Threats Be Aggressive Two squares overlapping signifies that the tramp can get anything he wants by threatening the occupants. [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [cowards, give, beg] |
| Courthouse or Police Station |  | Generic Internet [courthouse, judge, official, police station] |
| Courthouse |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #124 [courthouse, judge, official, police station] |
| Court House Precict Station SSoIH Note: "Court House" and "Pricict" are as they are listed in the book. |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #47 [courthouse, judge, official, police station] |
| Courthouse Stan Richards describes "Courthouse, precinct station." |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #14 [courthouse, judge, official, police station] |
| Courthouse precinct station." |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #57 [courthouse, judge, official, police station] |
| Crime Happened Here Hobos were a superstitious bunch. A code such as this was scrawled where a previous major crime was committed. It warned that “this” area is a dangerous place. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [crime, major, danger, warning] |
| Crime Committed Here A crime has been committed here. This is not a safe place for strangers. Henry Dreyfuss describes "Crime committed, not safe for strangers" |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #36 [crime, major, danger, warning] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #55 |
| A Crime Has Been Committed Here |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #48 [crime, major, danger, warning] |
| At Crossroad Go This Way Crossroad This was a common directional sign that indicated the right direction to go when faced with a cross road or intersection. Depending on the direction of the line, other hobos could save time and avoid danger. Terry Fox describes "Next street on the right." Dan Beard describes "Take this road" |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [go, way, direction, travel] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #12 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #7 |
| You'll Get Cursed Out Here |  | Generic Internet [cursed, swear, yell, warning] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #50 |
| You Will Be Cursed Out |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #44 [cursed, swear, yell, warning] |
| You'll Get Cursed Out Here Hobos were regarded in some towns as human trash and took pleasure in demeaning and verbally insulting any hobo who happened by their way. The law would take measures against any hobo who retaliated in any way. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [cursed, swear, yell, warning] |
| Danger Steer Clear |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [danger, warning, unsafe] |
| Danger keep Clear |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [danger, warning, unsafe] |
| This House Dangerous |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [danger, warning, unsafe] |
| Danger ...lines crossed by three vertical ones signifies danger. [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [danger, warning, unsafe] |
| Pass This House The simple sign of the cross on the other hand warned the tramp to pass the house, as its occupants are cold and unsympathetic, and have no ears to lend to the plaint of poverty, either real or assumed. |  | Evening Star - 1894 [danger, warning, unsafe, beg] See also - The Minneapolis Journal - 1905 |
| Bad No, Do Not Any time a single carved or drawn round dot was displayed with another symbol, it meant “No, Bad, Do Not,” etc. In some cases a good symbol could be “corrected” if the message had changed. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [warning, danger, unsafe] |
| Cranky Woman or Bad Bulldog This sign means: "There is a cranky woman or bad bulldog here." |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [food, beg, lady, dog, warning, danger] |
| Dog and/or Danger D means dog and danger. |  | The Minneapolis Journal - 1905 [unsafe, danger, warning, direction, travel, dog] See also - New-York Tribune - 1921 |
| Danger Dan Beard describes "Ill tempered man lives here! Danger!" Dan also describes that "a circle with a dot in the center has the same meaning among the tramps as a rectanagle with a dot" |  | Generic Internet [unsafe, danger, warning, direction, travel] See also - New-York Tribune - 1921 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #38 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #43 |
| Dangerous Neighborhood Stan Richards describes "This is a dangerous neighborhood." |  | Generic Internet [unsafe, danger, neighborhood, warning, direction, travel] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #38 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #10 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #54 |
| Dangerous Place This sign was a severe warning to stay away at all cost. To proceed further would be to risk bodily harm or worse. Move on quickly. | | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [unsafe, danger, neighborhood, warning, direction, travel] |
| Be Ready To Defend Yourself Coming across this symbol, a hobo would make sure that he stayed alert for aggressive behavior amongst other hobos or in areas that frowned upon them. Any sign of cowardness was an indicator that you were easily overcome and either robbed or abused. Terry Fox describes "Be prepared to defend yourself." Henry Dreyfuss describes "Be prepared to defend yourself" Dan Beard describes "Be Prepared to Defend Yourself" |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [defend, fight, danger, warning] See also - New-York Tribune - 1921 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #10 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #47 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #49 |
| Defend Yourself Stan Richards describes "Be prepared to defend yourself." |  | Generic Internet [defend, fight, danger, warning] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #40 |
| Dishonest Man Hobos sometimes found that a homeowner or a business would invite them to work or feed them but after serving, would be quickly run away with no payment of any kind. Observance of a man who was abusive to his children or witnessing a deceptive behavior would also be disserving of this symbol being posted near the location to warn others. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [dishonest, man, owner, warning, thief] |
| Dishonest Person A dishonest person lives here. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #46 [dishonest, man, owner, warning, thief] |
| Dishonest Man Here |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #45 [dishonest, man, owner, warning, thief] |
| Dishonest Person A dishonest person lives here. Henry Dreyfuss describes "Dishonest person lives here" |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #1 [dishonest, man, owner, warning, thief] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #48 |
| Direction The cardinal point of the compass are indicated by the letters N., S., E., W., marked with an arrow, the head pointing in the direction taken. |     | Brenham Weekly Banner - 1879 [go, way, direction, travel] |
| Direction Next Town These "Diamonds" used in connection with any of the other signs mean next town, east, west, north, south. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [go, way, direction, travel] |
| Direction Arrows pointing and indicating the route and the direction the tramp is rambling. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [go, way, direction, travel] |
| Direction The tramp indicates that he intends to go across the country upon a county road. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [go, way, direction, travel] |
| Doctor |  | Generic Internet [illness, sick, doctor, help, medicine] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #97 |
| Doctor Life on the rails and road was hard and brutal. “Marking” the homes of doctors or even a person with basic medical knowledge could mean the difference between life or death. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [illness, sick, doctor, help, medicine] |
| Doctor Here Will Not Charge |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #19 [free, illness, sick, doctor, help, medicine] |
| Doctor No Charge Stan Richards describes "A doctor lives here. He won't charge for his services." |  | Generic Internet [free, illness, sick, doctor, help, medicine] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #41 |
| Doctor Here Won't Charge |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #31 [free, illness, sick, doctor, help, medicine] |
| Bad Dog (Tail Down) |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [dog, beware, warning] See also - New Ulm Review - 1893 |
| Good Dog (Tail Up) |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [dog, beware, warning] See also - New Ulm Review - 1893 |
| Vicious Dog A circle with a figure similar to the teeth of a crosscut saw in the center of it indicates an unfriendly dog. |  | The Caucasian - 1911 [dog, beware, warning] |
| Dog |  | Generic Internet [dog, beware, warning] |
| Gammy (unfavorable) Likely to have you taken up. Mind the dog. |  | Juniata Sentinel - 1877 [dog, beware, warning, bad, jail] |
| Dog Look out for the Dog. |  | The Sun - 1879 [dog, beware, warning, danger] |
| Barker A barker, but not a biter (meaning the dog) as tramps are generally afraid of this animal). |  | The Sun - 1879 [dog, beware, warning, danger] |
| Dog / Danger D means dog and danger. | | The Minneapolis Journal - 1905 [dog, beware, warning, danger] |
| Beware the Dog A square having a dot in the center. This means that the premises are permeated by one of those dogs hereinbefore alluded to. |  | Evening Star - 1894 [dog, beware, warning] |
| Dog A spiral line traced in a square is the most hated of all indications by vagrants and nomads, for it is the sign of the presence of a dog. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, dog, beware, warning] |
| Dogs In Garden To keep would-be hobo garden robbers from plucking the vegetables from the garden plot, dogs would be staked or left free to roam within its boundaries. Hobos who experienced such an unpleasant surprise would warn others who may have their eye on the ingredients for their evening’s meal. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [dog, beware, warning] See also - Dakota Farmers' Leader - 1908 |
| Dog Dan Beard describes "Bad Dog Here" |  | Generic Internet [dog, beware, warning] See also - The Tacoma Times - 1911 See also - El Paso Harold - 1914 The Havre Herald - 1908 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #44 |
| Dog The sign shows the four legged dog in the yard (sometimes referred to as the garden). |  | Generic Internet [dog, beware, warning] See also - Perrysburg Journal - 1909 See also - The Kendrick Gazette - 1909 See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 |
| Vicious Dog Henry Dreyfuss describes "Vicious Dog Here" |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #26 [dog, beware, warning] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #39 |
| Dog - sign four legs and a tail. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [dog, beware, warning] |
| Man and Dogs a square enclosing a picture of teeth means "Men and dogs ready to attack"... [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [dog, beware, warning] |
| Dog Henry Dreyfuss describes "Barking Dog Here" |  | Generic Internet [dog, beware, warning] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #38 |
| Mean Dogs Here This warning was a sign that the dogs on this property were trained specifically to keep unwelcome or unknown people away. Both their bark and bite were a good reason to take the long way around. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [dog, beware, warning] |
| Dog |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #34 [dog, beware, warning] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #102 |
| Barking Dog Two w's connected warn of a barking dog. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #6 [dog, beware, warning] |
| Look Out For Dog a drawing of sharp teeth means "Look out for the dog" [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [dog, beware, warning] |
| Beware! Dog When the tail is down, the dog is mean. When the tail is up the dog is nice. |  | Generic Internet [dog, beware, warning] |
| Beware of four dogs. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #17 [dog, beware, warning] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #40 |
| Doubtful This sign means "doubtful" |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #20 [beg, food, warning] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #16 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #7 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #57 |
| Bad Fare B means bad fare. |  | The Minneapolis Journal - 1905 [bad, fare, travel, direction] |
| Fire |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #137 [fire station, fire] |
| Fire Engine House Indicating a Fire Station. |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #125 [fire station, courthouse] |
| Float boat. Indicating judge gives hoboes "floaters". |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [judge, official, courthouse] |
| Sit Down Feed Feeds were far and few between at least feeds purposed specifically for hobos. There were however functions that would tolerate hobos attending such as church gatherings. When an event such as this was discovered, a hobo would let others know using the table feed code. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [food] See also - The Daily Morning Journal - 1902 |
| Work for Food A square with one corner cut off makes the average tramp shudder. It means that the house in sight is occupied by people who believe in the dignity of labor and that if he wishes to get assistance from them he must work for it. |  | Evening Star - 1894 [food, work] |
| Food for Work |  | Generic Internet [food, work] |
| Food for Work |  | Generic Internet [food, work] |
| Food for Work Stan Richards describes "Good food is available here, but you will have to work for it." |  | Generic Internet [food, work] See also - The Havre Herald - 1908 Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #8 |
| Food Here If You Work Dan Beard describes "Work for food" |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #28 [food, work] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #37 |
| You Can Get Food Here By Working |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #37 [food, work] |
| Good Restaurant good feed for dish washing |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [food, work] |
| Food for Work |  | Generic Internet [food, work] See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #31 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #27 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #37 |
| Good Garden |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [garden, food] |
| Gentleman |  | Generic Internet [gentleman, wealthy, rich] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #93 |
| Gentleman |  | Generic Internet [gentleman, wealthy, rich] |
| Gentleman (A top hat) A gentleman lives here. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #29 [gentleman, wealthy, rich] |
| Gentleman Gentleman lives here. Henry Dreyfuss describes "A Gentleman Lives Here" |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #13 [gentleman, wealthy, rich] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #23 |
| Insist two circles, "Insist and they'll give in" [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [beg, food, law, arrest, handcuffs, jail, police] |
| Don't Give Up |  | Generic Internet [law, arrest, handcuffs, jail, police] |
| Go This Direction it is better than the other road. Nothing that way. |  | Juniata Sentinel - 1877 [go, way, direction, travel] |
| Chance For Money A single arrow drawn horizontally through a circle makes it known that cash may be obtained for the asking. |  | The Caucasian - 1911 [wealth, beg, money, direction] |
| Go Go This Way Stan Richards describes "This way." Dan Beard describes "Go! March On!" |  | Generic Internet [go, way, direction, travel] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #28 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #32 |
| This Way |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #2 [go, way, direction, travel] |
| Don't Go This Way Stan Richards describes "No use going this direction." |  | Generic Internet [don't, go, way, direction, travel] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #18 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #3 |
| Walk On |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #4 [don't, go, way, direction, travel] |
| No Use Going This Direction |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #1 [don't, go, way, direction, travel] |
| H with rays Described in John Hodgman's Hobo Matters video: A picture of an H with sun rays around it meant the hour had come - it was time to overthrow the government of the United States. This symbol was created by John Hodgman and is not a real hobo symbol. |  | Hobo Matters by John Hodgman on YouTube [government] |
| Hailing Sign |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [sign, language] |
| All Safe |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [safe, camp, direction, travel] |
| Charity Given An ordinary V means "Charity Given" [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [food, handout] See also - The Minneapolis Journal - 1905 |
| Good for a handout sign on gate or door. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [food, handout] |
| Good place for a handout Stan Richards describes "This is a good place for a handout." Henry Dreyfuss describes "Good place for a handout" |  | Generic Internet [food, handout] See also - The Tacoma Times - 1911 See also - Dakota Farmers' Leader - 1908 See also - Perrysburg Journal - 1909 Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #51 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #17 |
| No Work But Food an O and an X meant no work, but food. At the sign of the OX is a good place to stop. |  | The Minneapolis Journal - 1905 [food, handout, beg] |
| Never Fails A small diamond-shaped chalk drawing on fence or gate post near a house is a gladdening sight to the eyes of Moist Mike or Hungry Henry. It means that the residents are full of the milk of human kindness and will give food or other assistance when asked, without question. |  | Evening Star - 1894 [food, handout, beg] See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 |
| Good For Doles a circle crossed by two diameters in the form of a cross, explains that the applicant would only receive a dole in kind. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [food, handout] |
| You Can Get Food |  | See also - The Kendrick Gazette - 1909 [food, handout] |
| Eats (Good for handouts) [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [food, handout] See also - The Havre Herald - 1908 |
| Many Handouts sign near station. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [food, handout] |
| Great place for a handout Homeowners who were perplexed by the increased numbers of hobos knocking on their back door, were sure to find a symbol like this close to their property. Hobos would share their wealth by letting others know that this was a great source for a meal or money. | | Owlcation - All Things Hobo See also - The Coalville Times - 1902 [food, handout] |
| Help If Sick If you are ill, these people will help you. |  | Generic Internet [illness, sick, hurt, doctor, medicine] |
| Help If Hurt Minor injuries or sicknesses could lead to major setbacks for hobos. It was good to know where to seek help when needed. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [illness, sick, hurt, doctor, medicine] |
| If Sick Will Care For You Henry Dreyfuss describes "If you are sick, they'll care for you" |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #39 [illness, sick, hurt, doctor, medicine] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #30 |
| Help if sick Stan Richards describes "If you are sick, they will care for you here." |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #10 [illness, sick, hurt, doctor, medicine] |
| If Sick Will Care For You SSoIH Note: You can see where the above signs evolved out of this one due to poor drawing skills. |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #69 [illness, sick, hurt, doctor, medicine] |
| Well Guarded House |  | Generic Internet [house, guarded, warning] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #7 |
| Well Guarded House |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #5 [house, guarded, warning] |
| Well-Guarded House |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #19 [house, guarded, warning] |
| Well-Guarded House |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #20 [house, guarded, warning] |
| Home Heavily Guarded Be prepared to be met with aggressive behavior or a guard dog, or gun. Occupants are usually home and have taken great measures to protect themselves. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [house, guarded, warning] |
| Hostile Man |  | Generic Internet [man, bad, hostile, temper] |
| This House All Right |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [house, ok, good, beg] |
| Money, Clothes and Food |  | The Sun - 1879 [money, clothes, food, beg] |
| Housewife Feeds for Chores (woodpile) |  | Generic Internet [chores, woman, lady, work, food, wood] |
| Woodpile meal if you chop wood. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [chores, work, food, wood] |
| I Ate |  | Generic Internet [ate, eat, food] |
| Fake Illness Here Faking an illness or injury could get a hobo a meal, or a place to rest, or even money depending on how well they could act. A hobo that fained a nasty cough, for instance, may end up with some money to encourage them to leave. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [illness, sick, doctor, con, story] |
| Flummixed (dangerously) Sure of a month in "quod" (prison) |  | Juniata Sentinel - 1877 [jail, prison, yegg, official, police] |
| Look Out For Police |  | Evening Star - 1894 [jail, prison, official, police] |
| Handed Over To Police Jail |  | See also - The Kendrick Gazette - 1909 [jail, prison, official, police] See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 |
| Jail (yeggs) yegg is a professional thief Terry Fox describes "Jail" |  | Generic Internet [jail, prison, yegg, official, police] See also - The Tacoma Times - 1911 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #28 |
| Beware Of The Cops A series of lines drawn so as to suggest bars is a warning to beware of the police. |  | The Caucasian - 1911 [jail, prison, yegg, official, police] See also - The Tacoma Times - 1911 |
| Jail Has Cooties Sometimes by choice hobos would allow themselves to be put in situations that would earn them jail time in the hopes of getting out of foul weather or for a meal or two. This symbol warned that the town’s jail was dirty and bug ridden. Not a good lodging choice. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [jail, prison, cooties, bugs, official, police] |
| Jail Is Vermin Infested The jail here is vermin infested. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [jail, prison, cooties, bugs, official, police] |
| Jail Is Unsanitary With Disease The jail here is unsanitary, and from it contagious diseases are spread all over the United States |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [jail, prison, cooties, bugs, official, police] |
| Jail Is OK For Lodging The City jail here is all right for a warm night's lodging. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [jail, prison, ok, official, police] |
| Jail Is OK As a hobo, sooner or later going to jail was inevitable. There were occasions, however, that a hobo would actually “want” to be locked up for night or two. Sometimes, it was a survival tactic to get a meal or avoid approaching danger. The trick was to find a jail, get arrested, and most of all, find a jail that was clean and not a danger in itself. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [jail, prison, ok, official, police] |
| Jail Is OK The jail here is sanitary and prisoners are well fed. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [jail, prison, ok, official, police] |
| Jail Is Sanitary Prisoners starve The jail here is sanitary, but they starve their prisoners. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [jail, prison, official, police] |
| Beware of Prison ...a number of lines crossed by others, picturing prison bars. |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [jail, prison, yegg, official, police] |
| Jail |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #15 [jail, prison, yegg, official, police] |
| Jail |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #59 [jail, prison, yegg, official, police] |
| Jail |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #122 [jail, prison, yegg, official, police] |
| Jail go there for bed. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [jail, prison, yegg, official, police] |
| This Town Has A Rock Pile This town has a rock pile. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [jail, prison, official, police, work] |
| Workhouse Jail Do your business and leave as quickly as possible. If your timing is bad, you could easily be locked up only to find your self working long hard hours digging ditches with no pay and no length of stay. Get snagged in one of these situations and you better plan your escape from the beginning. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [jail, prison, ok, official, police, work] See also - New Iberia Ent - 1907 |
| This Town Has A workhouse This town has a workhouse. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [jail, prison, official, police, work] |
| Judge |  | Generic Internet [judge, courthouse, official, police] See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 |
| Judge Lives Here Trying to beg or even disturbing the home of a judge or other law official was a good way to get thrown in jail quickly. Stay away if you see this sign. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [judge, courthouse, official, police] See Also - Rosebud County New - 1902 |
| Judge Lives Here |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #24 [judge, courthouse, official, police] |
| Judge Lives Here |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #56 [judge, courthouse, official, police] |
| Judge or Magistrate A judge or magistrate lives here. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #21 [judge, courthouse, official, police] |
| Judge Means Judge or Magistrate |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #95 [judge, courthouse, official, police] |
| Hostile Judge Hostile police judge in this town. Look out! |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [judge, prison, danger, official, police] |
| Turn Left Here |  | Generic Internet [left, direction, travel] |
| Many Ties (Long Distance) warning on being ditched with long stretch between stations. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [distance, warning, alert, direction, travel] |
| Man With A Gun This symbol warned hobos that knocking on the door or even stepping on the property of this man would be met with a show of hostility. Move quickly, move on. Stan Richards describes "A man with a gun lives here." Henry Dreyfuss describes "Man with a gun lives here" Dan Beard describes "Bad Man With Gun Here" |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [man, gun, owner] See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #31 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #2 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #46 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #50 |
| This Town Is Mapped Look Out For Signs |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [direction, travel] |
| Easy Mark Stan Richards describes "An easy mark, a sucker." Henry Dreyfuss describes "Easy Mark, Sucker" |  | Generic Internet [easy, mark, sucker] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #47 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #41 |
| Easy |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #82 [easy, mark, sucker] |
| Mission good for feed and "flop". |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [mission, food, lodging] |
| Gift of Money St. Andrew's cross represents a gift of money. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, money, beg] |
| Good For 25 Cents |  | The Sun - 1879 [coins, money, beg] |
| Good Chance To Get Money Here (coins) |  | Generic Internet [coins, money, beg] |
| Get Money Here (coins) |  | Generic Internet [coins, money, beg] See also - New-York Tribune - 1921 |
| Don't Bother Them |  | The Sun - 1879 [quiet, beg] |
| Get Money Here Give Money Here [SSoIH Note: The article says "Give money here" we believe it is supposed to be "Get money here". |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [coins, money, beg] |
| Railroad Ducat These folks give money for fare. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [coins, money, beg, fare, ride] |
| Beware Montana a warning of the 11 months 29 day sentences imposed there. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [jail, prison, sentences, montana, official, police] |
| Mother With Boy A Hobo always good for food and clothes; seeks tidings of son. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [mother, hobo, beg, food, clothing] |
| No Good Too poor and know too much. |  | Juniata Sentinel - 1877 [no good, zero, warning, empty] |
| No Good |  | Brenham Weekly Banner - 1879 [no good, zero, warning, empty] |
| Nothing Here a vertical line on a house meant that it was a dead one and nothing could be secured. Also, a vertical line can idicate a man / male. |  | The Stark County Democrat - 1904 [no good, zero, warning, empty] See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 |
| Coppered Spoilt (no good) Spoiled by too many tramps calling here. |  | Juniata Sentinel - 1877 [nothing, zero, warning, empty] |
| Sometimes A triangle pointed downward indicates that the house it refers to has been pretty steadily visited by tramps and that its people may have become tired of the continued assults upon pantry and patience, but that no harm could ensue from a trial. Dan Beard describes "Inverted pyramid. Marks roads infested by tramps. |  | Evening Star - 1894 [nothing, zero, warning, empty] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #53 |
| Road is Spoiled The road is spoiled. It is full of other hobos and tramps. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #33 [nothing, zero, warning, empty] |
| Spoiled Henry Dreyfuss describes "Road Spoiled, full of other hobos" |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #50 [nothing, zero, warning, empty] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #6 |
| Nothing |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #51 [nothing, zero, warning, empty] |
| No Good Stan Richards describes "There is nothing to be gained here." Henry Dreyfuss describes "Nothing to be gained here" Dan Beard describes "No Use" |  | Brenham Weekly Banner - 1879 [nothing, zero, warning, empty] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #32 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #12 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #58 |
| Nothing Here Generally when prowling trudgers on a stump have noticed a likely house they leave a hastily scratched imprint with chalk or other material, which will serve as a clue to wayfarers of the tatterdemalion tribe. A circle means that the mumper will get nothing. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, nothing, zero, warning, empty] |
| Bum Jane calls cops, hates hoboes. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [nothing, zero, warning, empty, alerts, police, cops] |
| Good People Reside Here This sign on a fence, post, door, etc., means "good people" reside here. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [food, beg] |
| People Do Not Give Even your best approach won’t work here. Expect a rude response and a strict warning to keep away. Even a glass of water on a hot day is out of the question. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [nothing, zero, warning, empty] |
| People Do Not Give This sign means: "People residing here do not give." |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [food, beg] |
| Cross Man or Bad Dog This sign means: "There is a cross man or bad dog here." |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [warning, danger, safety, direction, dog, owner] |
| The Object Of The Journey A professional burglar will point out the object of his journey by a key crossed by an arrow. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, thief, direction, travel] |
| Officer |  | Generic Internet [cops, police, bulls, officials] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #40 |
| Alright, OK Alright, will give up. |  | Generic Internet [alright, ok, beg] See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 |
| OK All Right This sign means "O.K., all right" |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #27 [alright, ok, beg] See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #16 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #68 |
| A beating awaits you here. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #25 [keep away, leave, warning, direction, travel] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #51 |
| You Will Be Beaten Dan Beard describes "A Blow, A Kick Awaits You Here" |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #22 [get out, leave, warning, direction, travel] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #52 |
| Keep Away |  | Generic Internet [keep away, leave, warning, direction, travel] |
| Get Out Fast |  | Generic Internet [get out, leave, warning, direction, travel] |
| Hit The Road! Quick |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #4 [get out, leave, warning, direction, travel] |
| Get Out Fast This town is "strictly hostile". Get out as quickly as possible! |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [direction, travel, warning, danger, safety] |
| Hit The Road! Quick |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #3 [get out, leave, warning, direction, travel] |
| Advisable to clear out Stan Richards describes "Hit the road! Quick!" Dan Beard describes "Hit the trail double quick! |  | Brenham Weekly Banner - 1879 [get out, leave, warning, direction, travel] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #24 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #6 |
| Get Out Fast One of the more suggestive is composed of a circle crossed by two arrows directed the same way which urges the initiated to show a clean pair of heels without loss of time. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, get out, leave, warning, direction, travel] See also - The Tacoma Times - 1911 |
| Get Out Fast Only enter town if you have too. Get your business done and get out as quick as possible. This code warned of possible conflict and was a message to keep your head down, try not to be obvious and stick to yourself as you go through town. | | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [get out, leave, warning, direction, travel] See also - El Paso Harold - 1914 See also - The Havre Herald - 1908 See also - The Kendrick Gazette - 1909 See also - The Coalville Times - 1902 |
| Disagreeable People A circle pierced by two arrows signifies "poor welcome, disagreeable people". [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [get out, leave, warning, direction, travel] |
| Owner In Owner Is Home |  | Generic Internet [owner, home, in, warning] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #43 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #86 |
| The Owner Is In |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #21 [owner, home, in, warning] |
| Owner In Homeowner Home |  | Generic Internet [owner, home, in, warning] |
| In |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #20 [owner, home, in, warning] |
| Owner Out Nobody Home |  | Generic Internet [owner, home, out, warning] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #44 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #87 |
| The Owner Is Out |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #22 [owner, home, out, warning] |
| Out |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #45 [owner, home, out, warning] |
| Owner Is Out This symbol could apply to a home or a business where the owner was not present for long periods of time. This symbol turned in the opposite direction meant that the owner or occupant more than likely was present. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [owner, home, out, warning] |
| No One Home Homeowner Out |  | Generic Internet [owner, home, out, warning] |
| Pie In Sight a circle with a wedge inside of it shows the housekeeper gave a pie to the artist who made the sign. |  | The Caucasian - 1911 [food, beg] |
| This Is The Place |  | Generic Internet [camp, jungle, safe, travel, direction] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #22 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #33 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #9 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #88 |
| Police Are Hostile Many times police and town officials were outwardly and physically aggressive towards any hobo regardless of his actions. In some cases this was purposefully done to arrest and put the hobo to work for free. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Police Are Hostile The police in this place are "strictly hostile" |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Police Are Dead Easy The police in this place are "dead easy". |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Police Officer Lives Here |  | Generic Internet [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Officer Lives Here |  | The Sun - 1879 [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Policeman Stan Richards describes "An officer of the law lives here." |  | Generic Internet [cops, police, bulls, officials] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #13 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #15 |
| Officer Of Law Lives Here |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #58 [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Policeman Lives Here This sign saved many hobos from making the mistake of knocking on the door of a policeman or other law officer and end up getting thrown in jail, or worse, a chain gain work crew. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Policeman Lives Here Two Lorraine crosses reveal that the people of authority who live in the house must not be irritated. [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Officer |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #94 [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Policeman |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #96 [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Policewoman Lives Here Also, Policeman or Official Hobos found the best “marks” were usually woman. There were times, however, that knocking on the door of a police woman would end up back firing. Stay away from homes around a home that pointed to any law official. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [cops, police, bulls, woman, officials] See also - The Havre Herald - 1908 |
| Poor Man |  | Generic Internet [poor, man, money] See also - Dakota Farmers' Leader - 1908 See also One Poor Man in the "S" section. |
| Poor People Live Here This symbol gained a level of respect from hobos. They, more than anyone else understood the hardship of life and would not bother homes known to be struggling. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [poor, man, money] The Havre Herald - 1908 |
| Profane Place |  | Brenham Weekly Banner - 1879 [profane, cursed, swear, yell, warning] |
| Bone - (Good) Safe for "cold tatur", if nothing else. "Cheese your patter" (Don't talk much) here. |  | Juniata Sentinel - 1877 [good, bone, quiet] |
| Be Quiet Move quietly and keep your head down. Walk in the shadows as much as possible and do not disturb livestock or animals that would announce your presence. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [quiet, do not disturb, day sleeper] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #14 |
| Keep Quiet Baby Here One thing that most hobos agreed upon was the protection and respect of young families. This symbol would remind hobos of their code and instruct those who saw this symbol to be quiet and not to disturb them. Stan Richards describes "Keep quiet (Warns of day sleepers, babies)." Henry Dreyfuss describes "Keep Quiet" |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [quiet, do not disturb, day sleeper, baby] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #42 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #36 |
| Keep Out |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #1 [warning, danger, direction, travel] |
| Railroad Terry Fox describes "Good Place To Hop A Train" |  | Generic Internet [catch, train, jump, car] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #21 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #118 |
| Travel Money Paid |  | The Havre Herald - 1908 [catch, train, jump, car, beg] |
| Railroad Men Look The Other Way Rail workers and railroad police could be some of the cruelest and roughest of the people who hobos would run into. There were however sections of rail that rail police didn’t care and ignored hobos or would allow infractions in exchange for money or stolen valuables. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [catch, train, jump, car, bull, police] |
| Railroad Bull Good Fellow There is a railorad detective here, but he is a "good fellow" |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Railroad Bull Hostile There is a "strictly hostile" railroad detective here. Look out! |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [cops, police, bulls, officials] |
| Good Bulls Treat hoboes right. (Railroad police don't hassle hobos here) |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [catch, train, jump, car, bull, police] |
| Religious but tidy on the whole. |  | Juniata Sentinel - 1877 [church, religion, cross] |
| Church Town This is a "church" town. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [church, religion, cross] |
| Church or Religious People This symbol could be both bad and good. A compassionate group of religious people would be a welcome find even if it meant being subject to a harsh sermon or message. On the other hand, it could become a hardship for strict pious congregations who viewed hobos as the result of sin. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [church, religion, cross] |
| Pious |  | Brenham Weekly Banner - 1879 [church, religion, cross] |
| Religious Talk for Food Stan Richards describes "A religious talk here will get you a free meal." Terry Fox describes "Be Religious" Henry Dreyfuss describes "Religious talk gets free meal" Dan Beard describes "Be Good!" and also "Give them a religious talk and they will give you food." |  | Generic Internet [food, talk, religion, religious] See also - New-York Tribune - 1921 Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #2 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #42 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #29 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #36 |
| Talk Religion A cross within a circle suggests a proper line of procedure to him who tramps and reads. It tells the nomad to go to the house and be a humble-minded sinner of a deep religious turn and speak of holy things, and assures him that such hypocrisy will be well repaid by the really pious people within. |  | Evening Star - 1894 [food, talk, religion, religious] |
| Turn Right Here |  | Generic Internet [right, direction, travel] |
| Good Road To Follow When leaving the path of the rails, a symbol like this could save unnecessary and unproductive routes by telling a hobo that a road or trail was a good choice and presenting opportunity. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [good, road, direction, travel] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #1 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #5 |
| Worth Robbing (Yeggs) |  | Generic Internet [robbing, thief, steal, yeggs] |
| Worth Robbing |  | See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 [robbing, thief, steal, yeggs] |
| Worth While |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #75 [robbing, thief, steal, yeggs] |
| Crib Easy To Crack Careless People |  | The Sun - 1879 [robbing, thief, steal, yeggs] |
| Six Months 6 months here |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [jail, prison, sentences, official, police] |
| Ten Days 10 days here |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [jail, prison, sentences, official, police] |
| One Poor Man |  | The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 [poor, man, money] |
| Thirty Days 30 days if pinched |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [jail, prison, sentences, official, police] |
| Anything Goes The Skys The Limit Pretty much get whatever you ask for here. Henry Dreyfuss describes "The sky is the limit" |  | Generic Internet [story, beg, handout, pitiful, con] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #42 |
| Anything Goes Everything is easy | | Brenham Weekly Banner - 1879 [story, beg, handout, pitiful, con] See also - The Sun - 1879 |
| Good Place To Sleep This sign would guide the weary hobo in finding shelter that provided an element of protection or warmth. A barn, a bridge covering, or abandoned buildings were prime places. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [camp, jungle, safe, sleep] |
| Occupants Might Give In A half circle says that the occupants might give in. [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [food, beg] |
| Softhearted Man (feather) A rough representation of a feather indicates the occupant of the house is a soft hearted man unable to refuse solicitation. |  | New Ulm Review - 1893 [kind, man, beg, story] |
| Straight Ahead |  | Generic Internet [straight, direction, travel] |
| Stake good town to work in to get a stake. |  | Jeff Davis Explains Hobo Secret Code - 1922 [stake, work, town, money] |
| Main Street OK for Alms This town's main street is all right for soliciting. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [direction, travel] |
| Stay Off Of Main Street Don’t be seen, stick to the side streets and alleys. Move on quickly or avoid this town all together. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [direction, travel, warning, danger, safety] |
| Stay Off Main Street This town's main street is no account for collecting alms. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [direction, travel, warning, danger, safety] |
| Stop If you have what they want they will buy They are pretty "fly" (knowingly) |  | Juniata Sentinel - 1877 [stop, direction, travel, sell] |
| Stop Halt |  | Generic Internet [stop, direction, travel] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #37 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #29 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #8 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #34 |
| Keep Going |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #52 [stop, direction, travel] |
| Tell A Hard Luck Story Here |  | Generic Internet [story, hardluck, pitiful, con] |
| Sob Your Story Six little circles enclosed in a large one is a tip for the tramp to sob out his tale. |  | The Caucasian - 1911 [story, hardluck, pitiful, con] |
| Tell Pitiful Story to get handout. |  | Generic Internet [story, kind, lady, worman, pitiful, story, con] |
| Thieves Here Beware Thieves About Keep your two eyes on “his” ten fingers. Finding this sign at a hobo camp or a meeting spot indicated that theft was suspected among them. Keep any of your belongings close to you at all times especially while sleeping. Stan Richards describes "There are thieves about." Henry Dreyfuss describes "There are thieves about" Dan Beard describes "Watch Out For Thieves" SSoIH Note: The meaning behind this is: Keep your 2 eyes on the 10 fingers of the pickpockets." (see sign below). |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [thieves, warning, thief] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #45 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #54 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #47 |
| There Are Thieves About Dan Beard describes "A sign of caution, to let you know that thieves are among you. Keep your eyes on the ten fingers of the pickpockets. (Old English Shopkeepers Sign) |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #46 [thieves, warning, thief] |
| Good place to catch a train A big part of a hobos travels revolved around the rails. This symbol provided the information especially valuable to less experienced hobos as to where to safely “hop” a ride. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [catch, train, jump, car] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #34 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #44 |
| Tramps |  | Generic Internet [tramps, hoboes, bums] |
| An Ill-Tempered Man Lives Here Stan Richards describes "An ill-tempered man lives here. Danger. Henry Dreyfuss describes "Ill-Tempered Man Lives Here" |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #39 [man, bad, temper] Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #18 |
| Dangerous Man Lives Here Hobos avoided conflict as much as possible. This symbol served as a warning to avoid a home known for criminal or violent behavior. Police were not going to assist a hobo in the event of a confrontation. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [man, bad, temper] |
| Bad Tempered Owner |  | Generic Internet [man, owner, bad, temper] |
| Tough Town This is a tough place. Look out for hoodlums. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [church, religion, cross] |
| Trolley |  | Generic Internet [catch, train, jump, car, trolley] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #26 Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #36 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #119 |
| Trolley Stop |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #43 [catch, train, jump, car, trolley] |
| Free Telephone or Alarm |  | Generic Internet [free phone, telephone, alarm] See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 |
| Telephone Here As rare as they were, if an event occurred that required calling “back home” or a phone call could lead to an opportunity, it was good to know where they were located. | | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [free phone, telephone, alarm] |
| Free Telephone A picture of a bird tells of a free telephone. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #16 [free phone, telephone, alarm] |
| Free Telephone |  | Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #32 [free phone, telephone, alarm] |
| Telephone |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #11 [free phone, telephone, alarm] |
| Telephone |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #117 [free phone, telephone, alarm] |
| Hold Your Tongue In some towns, a hobo would generally be ignored unless he brought notice to himself by verbally responding to rude comments. If you came across this sign, it told you that you were better off not engaging in conversations. Henry Dreyfuss describes "Hold your tongue" |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [hold, tongue, quiet] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #32 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #37 |
| Hold Your Tongue Dan Beard illustrates a perfect diamond shape. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #35 [hold, tongue, quiet] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #35 |
| Unknown Similar to "poor man" and also "poor people live here" also the symbol used for water [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown, water, poor] |
| Unknown [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown] |
| Unknown Similar to "Kind Woman" [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown, kind, woman, lady] See also - New-York Tribune - 1921 |
| Unknown Similar to "Policewoman Lives Here" [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown, police, official] |
| Unknown Similar to "Food For Work" [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown, work, food] |
| Unknown Similar to "Stop" or "Halt" [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown, stop, direction, travel] |
| Unknown [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown, direction, travel] |
| Unknown [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown, direction, travel] |
| Unknown [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown] |
| Unknown [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, unknown] |
| Unsafe Place |  | Generic Internet [unsafe, warning, direction, travel] |
| Not Safe For Strangers |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #6 [unsafe, warning, direction, travel] |
| Unsafe Area Stan Richards describes "This is not a safe place." Henry Dreyfuss describes "This is not a safe place" |  | Generic Internet [unsafe, warning, direction, travel] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #9 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #45 |
| Very Good |  | Generic Internet [good] Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #25 |
| Bad Water Don’t drink the water here, it will make you sick. Sanitary conditions and poor waste disposal into streams and other bodies of water were poorly regulated and this symbol gave warning to all. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [bad, water, warning] |
| Bad Water Stan Richards describes "Dangerous drinking water." Henry Dreyfuss describes "Dangerous drinking water." Dan Beard describes "Dangerous drinking water." |  | Generic Internet [bad, water, warning] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #19 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #15 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #142 |
| Bad Water |  | Generic Internet [bad, water, warning] |
| Rich But Charitable |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [rich, wealthy, money] |
| Wealthy Stan Richards describes (A silk hat and a pile of gold). These people are rich. |  | Generic Internet [gentleman, wealthy, money] |
| Wealth Henry Dreyfuss describes "These People Are Rich" Dan Beard describes "Silk hat and a pile of gold, mean wealth, plenty." |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #3 [gentleman, wealthy, money] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #3 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #24 Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #73 |
| Generous Donor The much prized symbol of a bicycle points out the house of a generous donor who will give help on the road to the interloper. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [help, wealthy, money] |
| Went This Way We have gone in the direction of the longest line. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, go, way, direction, travel] |
| I Went This Way Red went that direction If two hobos agreed to meet up down the road, the hobo who got there first would leave a message symbol that showed his moniker (his road name), and that he would be waiting in the next closest town. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [go, way, direction, travel] |
| I Went This Way ANo1 went that direction A tramp's complete "monicker" showing his road name, the date and direction of his travel. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [go, way, direction, travel] |
| I'm Waiting At Next Town Red is waiting at next town or stop. If two hobos agreed to meet up further down the road, the one who got there first would leave a message symbol that showed his moniker (his road name), and that he would be waiting in the next closest town. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [go, way, direction, travel] |
| The tramp indicates that he is still in town waiting for the party whose name is written below the sign. |  | A Philosophy of Tramping Leon Ray Livingston. ANo1, The Rambler [go, way, direction, travel] |
| Window Open |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [house, rob, thief, thieves] |
| Kind Woman An angel lives here. |  | News Article - 1917 [kind, lady, woman, angel] |
| Kindhearted Lady - Also, kind woman or kind lady lives here. Hobos who found or left this mark could rely on a bite to eat with nothing expected in return. These women were generally the welcoming “mothering” type of individuals who found great compassion for respectful hobos. Henry Dreyfuss describes "Kind Lady Lives Here" |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [kind, lady, woman] See also - The Spokane Press - 1910 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #25 |
| Kind Old Lady A picture of a cat tells of a kind old lady. |  | Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #23 [kind, lady, woman] |
| Kindhearted Woman Lives Here |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #17 [kind, lady, woman] |
| Kind Good Woman |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #70 [kind, lady, woman] |
| Kind Woman Lives Here a good hard-luck story will work wonders with the kind lady who lives here. |  | The Tacoma Times - 1911 [kind, lady, woman, story, beg] See also - New-York Tribune - 1921 See also - The Havre Herald - 1908 See also - The Kendrick Gazette - 1909 |
| Kind Woman |  | Generic Internet [kind, lady, woman] |
| Generous Woman No house so decorated is ever passed by a tramp. He goes in with an assured 'front' and gets without surprise a sumptuous meal or a gift of money. These things are no more than he had expected. for the sign upon the wall had told him that a woman, not a man occupied the house, and that this woman was both rich and generous. |  | See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 [kind, lady, woman, wealth, beg] |
| Woman Alone With Child A large triangle with two small ones means "Woman alone with child or servant"... [France 1921] |  | New-York Tribune - 1921 [kind, lady, woman] |
| Kind woman lives here tell a pitiful story Stan Richards describes "A kindhearted woman lives here. (The triangles mean: Tell a pitiful story.)" Henry Dreyfuss describes "Kind woman, tell pitiful story" |  | Generic Internet [kind, lady, woman, story, con] Stan Richards - Hobo Signs - Sign #48 Henry Dreyfuss - Symbol Sourcebook - Sign #26 |
| Tell A Sad Story Dan Beard describes "Tell Your Story" |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #18 [kind, lady, woman, story, con] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #40 |
| Tell a pitiful story Experienced hobos with a bit of acting skills could easily manipulate potential marks by telling a hard luck story or assuming a pitiful look. This worked especially well for child, female, and teen hobos. |  | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [kind, lady, woman, story, con] |
| Stop, Wife Is Home Symbol for Woman / Female. |  | The Havre Herald - 1908 [kind, lady, woman, story, con] See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 |
| Woman |  | Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #99 [kind, lady, woman] |
| Woman |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #43 [kind, lady, woman] |
| Lonely Woman The clumsy drawing of a woman graphically explains that a lonely woman lives there - so much the worse for her. [Paris, France 1912] |  | New York Tribune - 1912 [french, lonely, kind, lady, woman, story, con] |
| Widow Here |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [kind, lady, woman, story, con] |
| Three Men Here |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [man, men, home] |
| Three Women Here |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [woman, women, home] |
| Work Hard For What You Get The X meaning work the 2nd symbol means "this is the place (here). |  | The Tacoma Times - 1911 [food, work] See also - Perrysburg Journal - 1909 See also - The Kendrick Gazette - 1909 See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 |
| Will Make You Work Here |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [labor, work] See also - The Daily Morning Journal - 1902 See also - The Inter-mountain Farmer and Ranchman - 1902 See also - New Ulm Review - 1893 |
| Ask For Work Here |  | The Great Falls Leader - 1889 [labor, work] |
| Work Available |  | Generic Internet [labor, work] |
| Money Here Working for food kept the belly full but there was also a need for money for other of life’s necessities including a “nip” from time to time. This symbol provided a clue to the hot spots. Work for money was always welcome for a hobo who was trying to break free. | | Owlcation - All Things Hobo [labor, work] |
| Lawn To Clean the likeness of an inverted comb in a circle gives warning that work on a trashy yard may be offered |  | The Caucasian - 1911 [labor, work] |
| Two Children, Four Men And Three Women Passed This Way Dan Beard describes "Tells what or who whet this way." See also the Who Went Where signs page |  | Terry Fox - Hobo Signs - Sign #35 [direction, travel, warning, danger, safety] Dan Beard - The American Boys' Book of Signs Signals and Symbols - 1918 - Sign #12 |
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