PA-78 1960 (Pennsylvania) (Road Sign) T-Shirt: Design Description

This t-shirt showcases a piece of Pennsylvania's transportation history: the vintage PA-78 road sign design from 1960. The artwork faithfully recreates the classic look of a bygone era.

The Keystone Shield

At the heart of the design is the iconic white keystone shield. This shape is deeply symbolic, representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania itself, often referred to as the "Keystone State" because of its central location amongst the original thirteen colonies. The keystone design instantly identifies the subject as a Pennsylvania road sign.

Color and Composition

The sign features a stark contrast: a bold, black border framing the crisp white of the keystone. Within the shield, the prominent black numerals "78" stand centered, clearly designating the route number. Above the number, the word "PENNA" (in a bold font of the time) completes the design. This is a nod to a transitional era of Pennsylvania road sign design, where “PENNA” or “PENNSYLVANIA” could be seen regionally.

Historical Significance

The design represents the original PA-78, a state highway that existed before the advent of Interstate 78. This design is a throwback to the 1960s, a time when these signs dotted the rural landscape of Western Pennsylvania. It’s a design element that evokes nostalgia for a time before modern highway systems and signifies a specific piece of Pennsylvania's past.