Community idea
Ghost signs
Find and record faded painted advertisements still clinging to building walls.
Last updated: 17 July 2026
What you would map
Ghost signs communities pin real-world places on a shared map so people can find, photograph, and catalogue them together.
Geography is up to you: a single city, a whole country, or a worldwide atlas.
- Shop advert
- Brand mural
- Theatre bill
- Partial / fragmentary
What to record on each pin
Each entry should help the next person find the place again and understand why it belongs here.
- Accurate coordinates (stand at the spot when pinning, where safe and lawful)
- Clear photos that show the subject and its setting
- A short, searchable title
- Transcribe all readable lettering
- Note whether the sign faces a street, alley, or courtyard
- Photograph in soft light so faded paint remains visible
Why a shared atlas helps
Ghost signs disappear with renovations and weather. A shared atlas captures them before the next coat of render covers them forever.
Spreadsheets and private photo albums do not compound. A public community map grows with every contribution and becomes findable on SpotterAtlas and search engines.
How to start this community
Use Start this community to open the create wizard with a ready brief. Edit the name, description, and categories for your area, then publish when you are ready.
After launch, seed a handful of quality pins, set SEO title and description in Manage settings, and invite contributors.
- Suggested fields to consider: Readable text, Estimated era, Building address.