Town Considering Removing "Iconic" Directional Sign On Main Street

A multidirectional informational sign that some call an “iconic” landmark on Main Street may soon be taken down.

The sign, with arms labeled and pointed to Nantucket destinations including Madaket, Surfside, and the Oldest House, has slowly fallen into disrepair. At this point, the Department of Public Works hasn’t decided whether to restore, replace, or remove the sign.

“DPW will work with Culture & Tourism to determine the best path forward, including whether it can be restored, rebuilt, or permanently removed,” the town's communication office wrote in an email to the Current. “All three options are being considered.”

While it may be iconic, the sign is not historic. One of several similar signs installed around the island in the 1990s by the town’s Visitor Services department, now the Department of Culture and Tourism, the signpost at 16 Main Street is the last of its kind remaining. As it was not installed nor maintained by the DPW over the years, and the Department of Culture and Tourism has not maintained it either, the town at some point decided it would eventually be removed for good. But that decision is now being reviewed.

“[The signs] were custom-made by a private entity and placed in various locations across the island,” the town wrote. “Over time, the materials used in their construction deteriorated, and it was determined that they should be removed and not replaced.”

The remaining sign has become a classic Nantucket photo opportunity, if somewhat overshadowed by the recently restored Compass Rose nearby.

Multiple requests have been made to the DPW to restore the sign, but no action has been taken yet. The issue has recently drawn increased attention after a DPW response to one request, in which the DPW suggested the sign would likely be removed, was posted to Facebook.

The DPW now says no determination has been made yet about the sign’s future.