Henry Harrison Mayes - Jesus is coming - heart shaped marker in Conway, AR

Conway, AR, Harrison Mayes Marker considered for the National Register of Historic Places

Apparently, Conway’s Harrison Mayes Marker, that I documented here and that kicked off my interest in Mayes’ work which resulted in this website, is nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. The Arkansas properties that will be considered by the State Review Board come from all over the state and illustrate the rich and…

New and Updated Harrison Mayes Markers and Signs

New and Updated Harrison Mayes Markers and Signs

Since I began documenting Henry Harrison Mayes work online, I knew I would rely on people who know more than I do and visited places I will never be able to visit. I found that the people who conserved the most knowledge before internet posts on blogs or social media were a thing, were three…

“Get Right With God” road sign, Indiana, Mississippi, March 1977 by William R. Ferris
|

“Get Right With God” road sign, Indiana, Mississippi, March 1977 by William R. Ferris

It’s hard to tell if this is a genuine Mayes cross. I’ve seen images of crosses with a similar typeface attributed to him. Those were older, and given the bad paint job and the time frame of William R. Ferris photo, this might be one of those older crosses, painted over by someone who “took…

Harrison Hayes (sic!) and Middlesboro, KY mentioned in the book “The Serpent Handlers: Three Families and Their Faith” by Fred Brown, and Jeanne McDonald

Harrison Hayes (sic!) and Middlesboro, KY mentioned in the book “The Serpent Handlers: Three Families and Their Faith” by Fred Brown, and Jeanne McDonald

Harrison Mayes is mentioned in the book “The Serpent Handlers: Three Families and Their Faith” by Fred Brown and Jeanne McDonald, which depicts the well-known Coots family in Middlesboro, KY.

Exterior view of a house, Leslie County, Kentucky, 1949

Exterior view of a house, Leslie County, Kentucky, 1949

There is a high probability that this is an early sign made by Harrison Mayes, photographed by Eliot Elisofon for the feature “The Fruitful Mountaineers” in the TIME Magazine, Dec. 1949. The photo doesn’t appear in the magazine, but in a blog post, that is not publicly available any more (archived version). Time Magazine, Dec….

Two Faux Signs?

Two Faux Signs?

I found these two photos that resemble Harrison Mayes’ work, but I’m not 100% certain. His typography has undoubtedly influenced them. Photographer Don Dudenbostel posted some more photos and some background information on this photography forum.

Mayes Portrait by Eleanor Dickinson

Mayes Portrait by Eleanor Dickinson

Scholar and artist Eleanor Dickinson is responsible for getting Henry Harrison Mayes work into the Library of Congress. She conducted countless interviews with the Mayes, brought Rev. Howard Finster and Brother Mayes together, and documented the culture of the mountain folks. The book REVIVAL! contains Dickinson’s beautiful line-drawings, photos of religious services, artifacts, and stories…

Finster, Mayes and me at the Library of Congress
|

Finster, Mayes and me at the Library of Congress

Since I discovered that there are documents that prove that Folk Art Visionary Howard Finster and Roadside Evangelist Harrison Mayes met and exchanged ideas, I was determined to find out what these two old geezers had to tell each other. Also I wanted to hear Mayes voice, how he talked, and maybe there was even…

Three new metal signs in SE Georgia added to the map

Three new metal signs in SE Georgia added to the map

A kind person from the internet tipped me off with three location of extant Henry Harrison Mayes “GET RIGHT WITH GOD” signs. All three are heart-shaped metal signs with red-green letters. This is the first time I’ve seen those in the wild (means lately photographed by Google street view). All three seem to be from…

Sister O. M. Terrell – I’m Going To That City
|

Sister O. M. Terrell – I’m Going To That City

Photo of one of Harrison Mayes metal crosses by Peter B. Lowry, Georgia 1970 used as cover artwork for a compilation with rare post-war gospel This album contains a representative collection of post-war gospel recorded between 1947 and 1953. The post-war period through to the mid-50s is generally regarded as the finest for gospel music…

Faux Mayes Cross in Kingston/Rockwood, TN

Faux Mayes Cross in Kingston/Rockwood, TN

A rather unusual, more primitive concrete marker on Hwy 80 in Rockwood, TN near Kingston, TN. The cross misses the typical lettering and message, instead it appears rough and with a different wording than Mayes on each side. One side says JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, the other is barely readable but states …BUT THE BLOOD……

Daniel Bachman (Link)
|

Daniel Bachman (Link)

Daniel Bachman is an artist, musician, and independent scholar primarily interested in the folk histories of Virginia. Bachman has released 9 full length records since 2011, and toured extensively internationally and throughout the US, garnering wide acclaim. Daniel Bachman Over the last 10+ years, Daniel Bachman was and still is a huge inspiration for me. The…

An exhibit of materials gathered by Eleanor Dickinson.

An exhibit of materials gathered by Eleanor Dickinson.

Eleanor Dickinson was very close to the Mayes, visited them, recorded them, and she connected Harrison Mayes with the Smithsonian and got some of his work into their collection. Audio and video recordings as well as drawings and photos by Eleanor Dickinson is archived at the Smithsonian. https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2016/12/eleanor-dickinson-finding-aid/ Search results for Photo, Print, Drawing, Eleanor…