MPS 48-46-13

The location of this Mail Pouch sign is based on the analysis below and refer also to the analysis for the location of MPS 48-43-12. Due to the many changes to Grafton over the years Old maps and Aerial views are difficult to interpret. After the Civil War Grafton and the immediate area became a major retail and industrial area. Coupled with that, the area became a primary RR Hub particularly for the Baltimore and Ohio RR (B & O). From around the turn of the century (1890’s – 1920’s) many buildings were constructed along Main St. and Latrobe St. Population growth began around 1890 at 3200 until it peaked, in 1920 at around 8500. Factory closings reversed the population growth trends (except for a brief increase during 1970 & 1980) until it has reached its current population of around 4600. The large RR presence actually added to the city woes. Situated in a valley during the day of coal fired steam locomotives created a significant air pollution problem. During the same time period Bloch Brothers began (in the 1890’s) sending their painters out to advertise their MAIL POUCH TOBACCO product. The idea has always been to get the signs in areas where they would get the most advertising value. The fact that there are so many Mail Pouch signs in Grafton is a testimony to the importance Bloch Brothers attached to Grafton as a significant advertising venue. It should be noted first that there are probably Mail Pouch signs in Grafton or the immediate area that are not recorded in the website; and, second, that R. J. Reynolds also produced plug tobacco and predated Bloch Brothers. We have noted two RJR tobacco signs on the Barnstormer’s website for Taylor Co, WV. In trying to locate this Mail Pouch sign the following resources have been consulted. 1) A 13 year span of Historic Aerial images from 1955 to 2020). 2) A 4 sheet map collection of Grafton, WV, dated 1895, created by Sanborn Fire Insurance C. 3) The old photographs presented and cross referenced. The resulting study reveals many buildings have existed and subsequently been razed and removed, over the years. No Aerial imagery or Grafton maps have been available to adequately trace the building history. To further complicate the investigation original named streets and alleys have simply disappeared!