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House Numbers

	If it weren’t for house numbers, how would anyone know where to find you? Back when America was being settled, largely by the British, there was no mail system. People who immigrated often never heard of their families again unless someone else from their birthplace also immigrated and they chanced to meet. Eventually, settlements in America grew large enough to qualify as towns, and then cities. They followed the European pattern of naming their streets, and a rudimentary communication system was only established if you could find a willing sea captain (hopefully one who was literate), that would carry a letter from England to America or vice versa, addressed solely to Samuel Smith, Oak Street, Lumbertown. As centers of population grew larger, letters would sometimes be addressed with reference to cross streets, such as Samuel Smith, Oak Street east of Bayside Street.

Solar Address Light - Amber

Glows Amber at Night
Lights up to 10 Hours
Ground or Wall Installation

Solar House Number Sign

Easy to See from Street
Lights up to 10 Hours
No Wiring Needs
Weather Resistant

Air Force Address Marker

Armed forces marker
Made of resin
14 x 7 x 8 inches

Navy Address Marker

Navy address marker
Made of resin
14 x 7 x 8 inches

House Number 0

Painted Ceramic
6 1/2 Inches Tall

Roman Style House Numbers

Easily visible
Made of metal
4 x 6 inches

House Number 2

Painted Ceramic
6 1/2 Inches Tall

House Number 3

Painted Ceramic
6 1/2 Inches Tall

House Number 4

Painted Ceramic
6 1/2 Inches Tall

House Number 5

Painted Ceramic
6 1/2 Inches Tall

House Number 7

Painted Ceramic
6 1/2 Inches Tall

House Number 8

Painted Ceramic
6 1/2 Inches Tall

House Number 9

Painted Ceramic
6 1/2 Inches Tall

Home > Wall Decor > House Numbers

House Numbers

By the early 1800s, a postal system had been established where mail would be carried by ship, and then by courier to be left at the post office until called for. Not until the Civil War and after, did larger centers of population begin numbering houses for easier location of the residents. About the same time, you could get “home delivery” of mail for a penny extra in a few cities.

Planned cities, went largely by the standard pattern of streets radiating from the center, odd numbered houses on the left, and even on the right, as you faced away from the central point. As time passed, and occasionally a second house was built on the same property, it was given the same number with a letter designation, such as 37B Leinster Street.

Today, with the services we require in our homes, and the things we want brought to us, it’s necessary to have a house clearly identified, especially for such things as emergency services. Those who live in rural locations, or down a very long driveway, often make use of a mailbox, or at the very least a bracket at the end of the driveway, which may have a decorative sign containing the house numbers, and even the family name. Houses that are clearly visible from the road, will place their numbers in one of the more obvious locations, such as over the front door, on the post of their porch, or beside the door. Studies have shown that people seeking a given house when in a vehicle, first look to the curb, the driveway and then the house.

So when you are choosing numbers for your home, be sure to select first for visibility. Give some thought to how far they will be from the street when considering size. Don’t forget that these will be outdoors in all kinds of weather, which means some materials will deteriorate faster than others. For example, a handcrafted painted sign should be finished with something protective, like a marine varnish. Remember too, that when looking at decorative plaques or other backgrounds with numbers, that your numbers need to be visible and distinct.

House numbers are available in virtually any kind of style or design you could ask for, from script, to Roman numerals, to hand-carved wooden signs in a style that matches your indoor décor, whether it be Colonial, or Oriental. So have fun when shopping for them, and give friends and visitors something to look at, when they look you up.