Tipp City and Steubenville Contain Extremely Rare “Ghost” Advertisements
Story, Photos and Video by Matt Bayman

   Downtown Tipp City is home to something most towns can no longer claim: a nearly intact wall advertisement for Battle Ax Plug tobacco, one of the most popular chewing tobacco brands of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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   The mural, painted on the side of Harrison’s Restaurant at 2nd and Main streets, is one of the best-preserved examples of its kind. While many Battle Ax signs have faded, crumbled, or disappeared altogether, Tipp City’s advertisement—carefully retouched and preserved—and its prominent location above the historic district make it a true standout.

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   The only other intact Battle Ax Plug sign in Ohio is in Steubenville, discovered in 2013 when an old building next to it was torn down, revealing the mural. It is unique because it features a blue background and gold lettering, which were the signature colors of the brand. The advertisement complements Steubenville’s main attraction—its 25 historic murals scattered throughout the downtown.

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   Faded Battle Ax signs can also be found in Michigan, Missouri, and Texas, while a recently restored mural in Minnesota is one of the only other well-preserved examples in the world. This makes the two Ohio murals exceptionally rare.

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   Battle Ax Plug was once a household name, sold as “a great big piece for 10 cents.” Its popularity is comparable to Coca-Cola today—nearly everyone knew it. The company relied heavily on outdoor advertising, hiring sign painters to cover small-town walls across the Midwest and beyond. Its logo also appeared on tobacco tins, paper posters, store displays, and a variety of consumer items, including calendars and magazine inserts.

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   The company, and its hundreds of murals, faded into obscurity when cigarettes became popular. Today, only these few “ghost” signs remain, offering a glimpse of a bygone era in American advertising.