World War II -----------The Missing Sign
Our last World War II article concerned the civilian activities patriotism and national pride, such as displaying the blue star flag in a prominent window for family members in service. Small towns and villages, Waterville included, would post a sign board with the names of their honored sons and daughters in the service of their country posted in a prominent location. We have been searching for information on Waterville’s victory sign for some time. Finally a breakthrough.
Recently we received a large photo/negative donation from the Howard Good family. This picture shows the sign with the WW II men and women from Waterville that served during the War. We had been asked 5-10 years ago if we had ever seen this “billboard” so it was really appreciated when we found the photo. We reached out to Ross Farnsworth who originally asked about it and Becky (Potter) Jacobs for any information that they knew. We were told it was in the triangle at Mechanic and the part of the AW Trail not finished. Remember the “Trail” did not continue on past Mechanic Street but Route 24 turned East on Mechanic to River Road and then out south of Waterville. The highway through Waterville was made in the 1950s and about that time this board was probably removed. We are unable to tell you what happened to the Victory Sign and are looking for any help from our readers. Please contact us if you have any information.
We were also told that you could read it as you came up Mechanic Street to the Trail but could not see it from the Methodist church. In the picture, to the left background we can see a house on 4th Street and on the right another house which can help the reader visualize the location of the sign. The other picture is a newspaper clipping of the triangle at the time they were extending the AW Trail and what the triangle looks like now. This may have been the location of the sign (or nearby) as the people we asked mention that it was in the “triangle”.
There were many men and woman that served during the WW II and this picture memorializes some of those that served. Thank a Veteran when you see them, for your freedom.