The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area now has a new sign made of granite from the area. Along with other locations throughout the heritage area, the signage was designed to blend seamlessly into an environment created more than 400 million years ago.
The signs will be located along Arabia Mountain PATH trailheads as well as additional destinations within the heritage area such as Vaughters’ Farm, Flat Rock Archives and the city of Lithonia. Each location will have site-specific signs designed and produced to assist and educate visitors regarding points of interest within the heritage area.
The area’s granite history is represented in the rough-hewn quarried stone. Once a center of technological innovation, the stone is reflected in the more modern, natural patina of the corten steel lending an industrial look to the signs. It’s also a material that current visitors see in the bridges along the Arabia Mountain PATH.
The massive stones for the gateway structures and entrance signs were donated by Lithonia-based quarry Hanson Aggregates Southeast. According to Cardenas, the signage program concepts were developed several years ago to enhance the experiences of the estimated 125,000 visitors annually to the AMNHA.
The firm chosen to coordinate the design and look of the signage, Signature Design, has developed a series of signage that plays homage to the granite and somewhat less refined environment of AMNHA by not polishing or cutting any more than is necessary to achieve the final look.
About the Author
