Downtown – Hightstown, New Jersey
This gateway signage for Historic Hightstown is substantial and has external lighting so it also stands out at night. Monumental in scope it sets a tone for what people should expect in town.
The streetscape and storefronts widely vary. An overload of signage and waterfall awning with excessive text detract from the historic appearance at street level. Wayfinding signage directs people to businesses on neighboring lots. This requires lofting the street name sign to the top of the pole where it is somewhat lost.
Neoclassical Revival bank with paired pilasters and a pedimented door opening has a solid presence downtown. A swag in the parapet over the main entrance completes the composition. Stone trim enframes brick walls including the simulated quoins on the corners. Modern windows inset above the entrance door, and the replacement aluminum entrance doors take away from the otherwise refined look of this building.
Multi-story buildings provide for businesses space downstairs and residential above. A corner lot is converted for social gathering and outdoor dining.
A wonderful civic monument in the heart of the downtown is this obelisk. The city seal appears to be inscribed in the stone above. Then a horse sculpture is below. Was this a horse trough and tie up at some point?