Lafayette’s Great Old Coca-Cola Sign May Fade Away Forever

Many towns and cities in Colorado have what are called "ghost signs," faded advertising signs. One, in Northern Colorado's Lafayette, has been saved, but may not make it down the road much further.

Where is the Old Coca-Cola Sign in Lafayette Colorado

Lafayette's old Coca-Cola sign is in the heart of Old Town Lafayette, just west of Public Road on Simpson Street. Lafayette is a great little town; I have a friend who's business is not far from where the sign/mural. Thousands of people must pass by it every week, as it's right there on Simpson Street.

Where There's a Bar Now, There Was Bar Back in the Day

Two blocks to the north of where you'll find the mural today, is William Oliver's second location at 201 Public Road. There was once a different building at that address that held many different businesses, including a bar: Pat and Gar's Hi-Way Bar. According to the City, the mural was created around 1950, but covered by siding in 1956,

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It was when the building was getting torn down in 2015 that they re-discovered the Coca-Cola mural. They raised about $130,000 to help restore it, and move it to Simpson Street, according to the Daily Camera. It really is a great display, but it's an old mural/sign out in the elements, and that's the problem.

The Daily Camera reports that the city is looking at several options for the mural:

• Move it to an indoor spot away from public view: $7,500.
• Move it indoors to a public space and restore it: $105,000.
• Restore it, keep it outside (taking better care of it) with something like an awning protecting it: $115,000.