Balton Sign Company History

 D.F. Balton was an artistic house painter that was asked if he could hand letter a sign on a Memphis business. That was the beginning of the Balton sign family legacy. Since D.F. Balton founded BALTON & SONS SIGN COMPANY in 1875, the family has crafted most of the commercial signs in Memphis and the surrounding areas. For eighty-six years, they created iconic theater marquees, signs on Beale Street, and even the renowned Holiday Inn Great Sign, which remains the most successful commercial sign ever built. As the company expanded, newer businesses seeking instant recognition in the Mid-South acquired the BALTON & SONS name. However, the Baltons were determined to continue manufacturing high-quality signs. In 1961, H.A. BALTON SIGN COMPANY was established, producing significant landmark signage, including the impressive twenty-foot diameter ice cream bucket sign for Memphis Angel Food. In 1995, PRECISION SIGNS was launched to utilize the latest technologies for creating signage inspired by vintage designs and for refurbishing historic signage. One of their notable projects was revitalizing the famous Sputnik sign in Memphis, showcasing their exceptional craftsmanship. With pride in their trade and family legacy, the Baltons re-acquired the BALTON & SONS name, ultimately bringing BALTON & SONS, H.A. BALTON, and PRECISION SIGNS together under one roof as BALTON SIGN COMPANY, where they continue to honor the tradition of exceptional sign design and craftmanship.

Discover our legacy of landmark signage, such as the iconic Holiday Inn Great Sign—an enduring symbol of Memphis and a key piece of American advertising history. 

The 'Great Sign' was the striking roadside sign used by Holiday Inn during its original era of expansion from the 1950s to the 1970s. This neon signage was perhaps the company's most effective form of advertising. It was impressively large and eye-catching, though expensive to construct and operate. Crafted by Balton & Sons Sign Company, it was ingeniously designed by sketch artists Gene Barber and Roland Alexander.

 The Holiday Inn Great Sign — History, Design & Legacy