Dickinson Sign Company

The Dickinson Sign Company got its start in 1913 when Frank Hewes sold his painting & decorating business to Nathan Mininberg. His business was called Mininberg Automatic Advertising Co., but Dickinson Sign Co. was also used. Nathan Mininberg secured a patent for an automatic changing 50 slide advertising sign in July 1915 and it was first used at the St. Charles Hotel in November 1915. 

The Dickinson Sign Company was also run by Ray Thomas for many years. Ray Thomas was involved with operating the business from March 4, 1929 to 1956. 

"On March 4, 1929 (the day Hoover was inaugurated as president) I joined Ig (William Ignatius) Brown as a partner in Dickinson Sign Co. Late that same year we bought the old Congregational Church at 144 1st Avenue West and remodeled the facility into two apartments and a
work shop. My wife and I took full control of the business in 1934 when the partner left to seek greener pastures. We operated the Sign and Outdoor Advertising business from that location until 1956, when we sold out to Gene Lewis of St. Cloud, Minn. We eventually
sold the premises also to the American State Bank, next door. The building was dismantled except for part of the living quarters which was moved to Grassy
Butte and is still in use there." (From Stark County Heritage & Destiny p. 545)