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1943 Shop Truck |
1935, 1st Shop, Garage Behind House |
1949, 1st Neon Sign built by Warren Barber. Sign is still in use today! |
Barber Sign Co was founded by Lewis S. Barber in 1935, after graduating from the Frank Williams Trade School of Los Angeles. Lew painted signs throughout the 30's & 40's. |
Customers included G.P. McNear, Coca-Cola, Hunt & Behrens, Vonsen Roofing, Petaluma Police Dept., Tomasini Hardware, Poultry Producers, Pump & Well, Hotel Petaluma, Nielsen Furniture, virtually all the old Petaluma businesses. Warren Barber, Lew's brother, apprenticed as a signpainter after serving in the Navy in WWII. Warren graduated from the Acme Neon Institute of Chicago in 1948. Throughout the 50's & 60's, Barber Sign Co. produced painted and neon signs in the Northbay area. The company expanded in 1966, purchasing Heath Neon of Vallejo. Barber Sign Co. operates locations in Petaluma and Vallejo to this day. Lew left the firm in 1970. Warren's sons joined the company, Mark in 1970, Paul in 1976, after graduating from the Midwest Institute of Lettering and Design, and Barry in 1974. Barry left the firm in 1998 to open Barber Iron Works. Barber Sign Co. is owned and operated by Mark and Paul Barber. Warren Barber is semi- retired, his knowledge and experience available at all times. |