PA Roadside Attractions

Exploring the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Meadville

A collage of four whimsical sculptures from the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. The top-left image shows a blue locomotive on tracks made from repurposed road signs, with oil derricks in the background. The top-right image features two figures paddling a canoe, constructed from colorful road signs. The bottom-left image depicts a red barn and silo made from stop signs and directional signs. The bottom-right image shows a cowboy playing a guitar, crafted from railroad crossing and directional signs, accompanied by additional figures in a playful scene. These artworks are part of the 1200-foot-long public art piece made entirely from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Meadville, you’re in the right place!

A colorful scene at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a large rainbow arching over a vibrant landscape made entirely from repurposed road signs. The scene includes a red barn on a hill made from yellow and green road signs, a flowing blue river with swirling patterns, and raindrops falling from storm clouds made from metal signs. Lightning bolts extend from the clouds, and the artwork transitions to a tree and a red building in the background. This creative display is part of the 1200-foot-long public art piece made entirely from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

Known officially as “Read Between the Signs,” this 1200-foot-long public art installation in Crawford County is an eclectic masterpiece made entirely out of repurposed road signs.

A vibrant sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, depicting a Ferris wheel made from repurposed road signs. The Ferris wheel features yellow directional chevron signs as seats, with a red and yellow center and black and white stripes radiating outward. The background is made from green "Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful" signs, and a whimsical horse, along with other roadside figures, are visible on the right side of the image. This artwork is part of the 1200-foot-long public display created from old Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

Directions the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden

The PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden is located along busy Route 19 / Smock Highway, just off the Meadville exit of Interstate 79.

The sculpture garden decorates the fence surrounding the Crawford County PennDOT equipment yard, and your best bet is to navigate to the PennDOT office next to the yard (18492 Smock Highway, Meadville, PA 16335) and park in the visitor parking area there.

A red Toyota Tacoma truck is parked in the lot outside the PennDOT building in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. The brick building with large windows is visible in the background, with trees and power lines surrounding the area. This parking lot is used for visitors to the nearby PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden, a 1200-foot-long public art installation made entirely from repurposed Pennsylvania Department of Transportation road signs. The sky is overcast, adding to the calm atmosphere of the scene.

I visited on a weekday after 4 pm (when the offices close) and the lot was totally empty, but if you do visit during PennDOT’s business hours (8 am – 4 pm), make sure you park in the visitors spots backing to Route 19 and NOT in any employee spots.

A parking lot near the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring an orange Toyota Tacoma truck parked in the lot. In the background, a busy road with traffic, businesses, and gas stations can be seen. Across the street, part of the sculpture garden's whimsical flower display is visible, showcasing metal flowers made from repurposed road signs. This parking area provides access for visitors to explore the 1200-foot-long public art installation made entirely from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

From the parking area, you can walk west to visit the small “flower garden” (also made of road signs), or walk east along Route 19 to visit the quarter-mile long “sculpture garden.”

An aerial view of the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, showing the layout of the area. The sculpture garden, a 1200-foot-long public art piece made from old road signs, is located along a roadside fence next to the PennDOT building. The image also highlights a nearby flower garden, parking lot, and surrounding businesses like Dairy Queen and Sheetz. The sculpture garden is adjacent to a wooded area, while the PennDOT offices and equipment are visible across the lot.

Origins of the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden

The PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden was conceived by Allegheny College art professor Amara Geffen and PennDOT’s former maintenance manager Jack Molke.

A creative sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, depicting a colorful street scene made entirely from repurposed road signs. The artwork features buildings with windows and shutters crafted from signs, along with trees, doors, and detailed elements made from directional and caution signs. The vibrant arrangement of colors and shapes creates the appearance of a town along the roadside. This imaginative display is part of the 1200-foot-long public art installation made from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

Starting in 2001, Geffen and her students worked for over a decade to transform old road signs into a creative celebration of the local area.

A creative sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a bright yellow dump truck made from repurposed road signs. The truck is set against a background of layered green mile marker signs, with a blue section on the right depicting a river scene. The river includes a canoe with two figures paddling, also made from old road signs. This section is part of the 1200-foot-long public art installation, made entirely from old Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs, along the roadside fence outside PennDOT’s offices.

The project was completed with contributions from both Allegheny College students and local PennDOT workers.

A whimsical sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a roller coaster made from repurposed road signs. The structure is composed of black and white chevron-striped signs and "Speed Limit 45" signs, with the roller coaster track outlined in blue. The colorful roller coaster cars at the peak are constructed from yellow and red road signs. This creative display is part of the larger 1200-foot-long public art installation made entirely from old Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

The result is a vibrant and creative depiction of life in Crawford County, showcasing local landmarks such as the Crawford County Courthouse, Conneaut Lake Park, and Bentley Hall at Allegheny College.

A colorful sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, depicting two figures paddling a canoe. The figures, created from cut-out road signs, are seated in a canoe made from a repurposed "Litter" sign. Behind them, a collage of green, blue, and white road signs forms the background, simulating water and sky. One figure holds a tree branch, adding a natural element to the whimsical scene. This creative artwork is part of a 1200-foot-long display made entirely from old Pennsylvania Department of Transportation road signs.

What You’ll See at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden

In addition to local landmarks, the mural also highlights important community events like the Crawford County Fair and the Thurston Balloon Classic.

A colorful section of the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring large hot air balloons made from repurposed road signs. The hot air balloons are crafted from vibrant yellow, blue, and multicolored signs and are suspended against a backdrop of road signs arranged to resemble mountains and swirling wind patterns. The bottom of the display is lined with "Do Not Pass" signs, adding to the creative and playful nature of the installation. This artwork is part of the 1200-foot-long public art piece made entirely from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

As you walk the length of the fence, you’ll see farm scenes, depictions of seasonal changes, and nods to the county’s rich history, including the oil boom in Titusville.

A whimsical sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a barn and silo made entirely from old road signs. The barn is constructed primarily from red stop signs, while the silo is built from white directional signs with arrows. Surrounding the structure are additional road signs, including yellow speed limit signs, creating a colorful, imaginative display. The sky is overcast, adding a muted backdrop to the vibrant sculpture.

The mural features a wide range of art, from an iconic locomotive to the rolling hills of scenic Route 6.

A vibrant sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a blue and white locomotive made entirely from repurposed road signs. The train is shown traveling on railroad tracks made from curved road signs, with black oil derricks and a background of orange and yellow signs forming a hilly landscape. Billowing clouds of smoke rise from the locomotive’s smokestack, also constructed from metal signs. On the left side, there is a floral sculpture made from additional signs, adding a whimsical touch to the scene. This piece is part of the 1200-foot-long public art display created from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

Just a short walk away, on the opposite side of the parking lot, you’ll find another piece of the exhibit called “Signs and Flowers,” where colorful flower sculptures made from old road signs sit on a small knoll.

A roadside display at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a whimsical garden of flowers made from repurposed road signs. The flowers are crafted from metal signs, including speed limit and caution signs, shaped into petals and leaves, and arranged on a large mulch bed. Each flower is unique, with varying colors and shapes, and they stand against a backdrop of trees and nearby traffic signals. This garden is part of the larger 1200-foot-long public art installation made from old Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

This installation truly turns scrap materials into a work of art.

A vibrant flower sculpture display at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring large, colorful flowers made from repurposed road signs. The metal flowers are creatively constructed using various signs, including speed limit and traffic signs, and are painted in shades of green, orange, blue, and yellow. The display is set on a raised bed of mulch, with a backdrop of power lines and nearby buildings. This artwork is part of the larger 1200-foot-long public art installation made entirely from old Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re interested in public art, local history, or just looking for an offbeat roadside attraction, the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden is worth the visit.

A playful sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a cowboy playing a guitar made from repurposed road signs. The cowboy figure is constructed from yellow railroad crossing signs and other traffic markers, with musical notes made from red road signs floating around him. Surrounding the cowboy are additional characters, including a child on the left and a woman holding an ice cream cone on the right, all made from old road signs. The scene is part of the 1200-foot-long public art installation created from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

Its blend of recycled materials, community pride, and artistic vision make it a must-see when passing through Crawford County.

A whimsical sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, depicting a horse made from repurposed road signs. The horse is constructed from numbered and directional signs, with a patchwork appearance, and stands behind a yellow and black striped barrier resembling a fence. The background is composed of green "BicyclePA Route" signs, adding a playful and creative backdrop to the scene. This artwork is part of the 1200-foot-long public art installation created from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

The Best Roadside Attractions in Northwestern PA Road Trip hits nine of the best roadside oddities in northwestern PA, and is sure to appeal to those with a sense of adventure and an appreciation of the quirky.

The best roadside attractions in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Nearby Attractions

The Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad in Crawford County offers a sightseeing journey through Pennsylvania’s Oil Creek Valley, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the birthplace of the American oil industry.

A collage depicting various scenes from the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. The top-left image shows a maroon and yellow OC&T locomotive with an engineer standing on the front, giving a friendly wave. The top-right image captures passengers on a wooden platform observing the bright yellow locomotive approaching through a lush, green landscape. The bottom-left image features passengers, including a dog, standing on a wooden platform surrounded by dense forest, waiting near a train car. The bottom-right image shows a vintage passenger car with "Oil Creek & Titusville" and "Col. Edwin L. Drake" painted on its side, highlighting the historic charm of the excursion.

Visiting the Drake Well Museum and Park in Venango County is a fascinating journey to the birthplace of the modern petroleum industry.

A collage of four photos taken at the Drake Well Museum and Park in Venango County, PA, showcasing various aspects of the museum. The top left image features a replica of the Drake Well, the historic site of the first successful oil well in the United States, set among tall trees in a park-like environment. The top right image shows an exhibit of a 1912 Hatfield truck prominently displaying Quaker State products, along with other vintage oil industry-related displays. The bottom left image highlights an exhibit titled "Western Pennsylvania Transformed the World," which details the impact of Pennsylvania's petroleum pioneers with portraits of key figures in the industry. The bottom right image captures a detailed diorama of oil derricks and drilling equipment, illustrating the early days of oil extraction and the development of the petroleum industry. Together, these images provide a comprehensive view of the museum's exhibits, which explore the history and significance of the oil industry in Pennsylvania and its global impact.

The Linesville Spillway at Pymatuning State Park offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience that has delighted both the young and old for nearly one hundred years – the opportunity to watch ducks walk on fish!

A collage of four photos taken at the Linesville Spillway in Pymatuning State Park. The top left photo shows visitors feeding ducks and fish while standing along the curved spillway where water flows into a lower basin. The top right photo features a wooden sign marking the entrance to "The Spillway, Pymatuning State Park" with a nearby road and park facilities visible in the background. The bottom left image is a vintage postcard showing visitors feeding ducks and fish in the 1930s, with classic cars parked along the road. The bottom right photo captures a close-up view of ducks and geese surrounded by a dense school of carp, all competing for food at the spillway.

The Tsuga Trail in Crawford County offers a scenic, 1.5 mile hike through diverse habitats, including forests, wetlands, and lakeside views at the Erie National Wildlife Refuge, perfect for nature observation and wildlife spotting.

A collage of four photos showcasing various aspects of the Tsuga Trail at Erie National Wildlife Refuge in Crawford County, PA. The top left image features a hiker standing on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by lush vegetation and illuminated by sunlight. The top right photo shows a peaceful forest path blanketed in fallen leaves, with tall trees casting dappled light. The bottom left captures a wetland scene with a calm, reflective pond framed by grasses and autumn foliage. The bottom right image displays an informational sign about the Tsuga Trail, including a map and tips for wildlife watching, enhancing the educational aspect of the trail experience.

Find even more great destinations to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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