The caption on the photograph reads: "Reputed to be the largest Non-commercial electric sign in U.S." The lookout tower atop WestMountain (above the WELCOME sign) was destroyed by a tornado in 1930. This sign inspired D.W. Griffith, to promote the HOLLYWOOD sign in California following his visit to Mineral Wells in 1928. Griffith, Producer/Director of the silent movie classic, "Birth of a Nation," also produced the "Keystone Kops" comedies. EastMountain was a popular place for viewing the city, especially for photographers.
"The Welcome Sign was built by George Holmgreen in his San Antonio Iron Works in 1922. Holmgreen was Texas' Rotary Club President, and he gave the sign to the people of Mineral Wells with the understanding that they would maintain the sign and the many lightbulbs that it took to light up the world's largest non-commercial sign. Later, the Mineral Wells Jaycees replaced the light bulbs with red neon lights. In 1972, a WOC Company from FortWolters, moved the sign from EastMountain, to the east side of BaldMountain where it remains today lighted with flood lights at its base. The prominant home in the lower left of the picture was the home of pharmacist E. F. Yeager who owned the Yeager Drug Store two blocks further west of the home on the SW corner of NE 1st st and NE 2nd Ave.
