United States of America

New Year's Eve:  It's time to take stock of progress in documenting how places across the United States say Welcome.  Over the past two years, since January 30, 2012, 310 pictures of welcome signs have been posted from localities in 48 of the 50 states, plus one from the District of Columbia and one from the UK.  The map above catalogs the number of times each state has been represented in "Geographically Yours Welcome."

Welcome signs are one way places combat "placelessness."  Not only do they give our towns and cities a chance to introduce themselves with a name, they also offer opportunities to include other distinguishing information, including how old they are.  Unlike the bipeds who place the placards. localities love to let us know when they were founded or incorporated.

Rayne, Louisiana

Looking Back and Looking Forward
Welcome to LaRayne, Louisiana, 2011.
Friends are Forever / Do Come Back!
We Have Been Expecting You!

Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree
Welcome to Spruce Pine, North Carolina, 2009.
The Mineral City

Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree
Welcome to Downtown Spruce Pine, North Carolina, 2012.
The Mineral City / National Historic Registry

Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree
Welcome to Spruce Pine, North Carolina, 2011.
The Mineral City

Brazil, Indiana

The World Comes to the Heartland.
Welcome to Brazil, Indiana, 1998.
Home of the State Champions

Morocco, Indiana

The World Comes to the Heartland.
Welcome to Morocco, Indiana, 1999.
Home of Hoosier Hospitality

Angola, Indiana

The World Comes to the Heartland.
Welcome to Angola, Indiana, 2008.

Kilmarnock, Virginia

In a Water-Tower Town
Welcome to Kilmarnock, Virginia, 2011.

Midway, Georgia

In a Water-Tower Town
Welcome to Midway, Georgia, 2012.

Nunn, Colorado

In a Water-Tower Town
Welcome to Nunn, Colorado, 2013.
Watch Nunn Grow / A Centennial Town

St. Charles, Iowa

Saints for the Advent Season
Welcome to St. Charles, Iowa, 2008.

St. Albans, West Virginia

Saints for the Advent Season
Welcome to St. Albans, West Virginia, 2010.

St. George, South Carolina

Saints for the Advent Season
Welcome to St. George, South Carolina, 2007.
The Town Of Friendly People

Monte Sereno, California

A Fowl Hello
Welcome to Monte Sereno, California, 2006.

Andover, New York

A Fowl Hello
Welcome to Andover, New York, 2013.

Fairmont, North Dakota

A Fowl Hello
Welcome to Fairmont, North Dakota, 2007.
Where the Sun Shines First in North Dakota

South Hill, Virginia

Compass South
Welcome to South Hill, Virginia, 2013. 

South Charleston, West Virginia

Compass South
Welcome to South Charleston, West Virginia, 2010.
Someplace Special

South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Compass South
Welcome to South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 2013.
Home of the Little League World Series

South Windsor, Connecticut

Where and Welcome
Welcome to South Windsor, Connecticut, 2009.

South Windsor, Connecticut

Where but No Welcome
Welcome to Windsor, Connecticut, 2009.

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Where and Welcome
Welcome to Fernandina Beach, Florida, 2008.
Isle of Eight Flags

Franklinville, New York

Where and Welcome
Welcome to Franklinville, New York, 2013.
Home of Kimberly Pressler / Miss U.S.A. 1999 / V.F.W. Post 9487

Franklinville, New York

Where but No Welcome
Franklinville, New York, 2013.

Mankato, Kansas

Brick Wall Welcome
Welcome to Mankato, Kansas, 2009.

Mars Hill, North Carolina

Brick Wall Welcome
Welcome to Mars Hill, North Carolina, 2012.
Home of Mars Hill College

Clive, Iowa

Brick Wall Welcome
Welcome to Clive, Iowa, 2008.

Scandia, Kansas

Field Stone Welcome
Welcome to Scandia, Kansas, 2009.

Palm Desert, California

Field Stone Welcome
Welcome to Palm Desert, California, 2013.

Mesquite, Nevada

Field Stone Welcome
Welcome to Mesquite, Nevada, 2009.
. . . your future is here!

Woodville, Virginia

Elevation
Welcome to Woodville, Virginia, 2010.
650 ft.

Cortez, Colorado

Elevation
Welcome to Cortez, Colorado, 2013.
6,200 ft.

Sunshine Summit, California

Elevation
Welcome to Sunshine Summit, California, 2013.
Elevation: 3282 ft.

Hicksville, Ohio

Add Churches to the Clutter.
Welcome to Hicksville, Ohio, 2008.
Churches / Kiwanis Project 1985
Are service clubs churches? The one church sign is off to the side!

Cohocton, New York

Add Churches to the Clutter.
Welcome to Cohocton, New York, 2013.
Cohocton DVPMT Corp

Sudlersville, Maryland

Add Churches to the Clutter.
Welcome to Sudlersville, Maryland, 2013.

Burlingame, California

Service Club Clutter
Welcome to Burlingame, California, 2010.

Columbia, Tennessee

Service Club Clutter
Welcome to Columbia, Tennessee, 2010.
Old South Charm / New South Progress

Van Wert, Ohio

Service Club Clutter
Welcome to Van Wert, Ohio, 2008.
Van Wert Area Jaycees

Kennebunk, Maine

Native American Toponyms
Welcome to Kennebunk, Maine, 2008.

Seneca, Kansas

Native American Toponyms
Welcome to Seneca, Kansas, 2009.

Nokomis, Florida

Native American Toponyms
Welcome to Nokomis, Florida, 2009.

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Celebrity Somebodies
Welcome to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 2012.
Hometown of Vanna White

Pittsville, Maryland

Celebrity Somebodies
Welcome to Pittsville, Maryland, 2010.
Heartland of Delmarva
Birthplace of Drexel Truitt

Hamilton, Missouri

Celebrity Somebodies
Welcome to Hamilton, Missouri, 2008.
Boyhood Home of J. C. Penney

Johnson City, Texas

Is That a Welcome Sign?
Welcome to Johnson City, Texas, 2003.
Home Town of Lyndon B. Johnson

Kanarraville, Utah

Is That a Welcome Sign? 
Welcome to Kanarraville, Utah, 2009.
Home of the Only All Women Fire Department 1961-1968

Nekoma, North Dakota

Is That a Welcome Sign?
Welcome to Nekoma, North Dakota, 2012.

Raeford, North Carolina

City Seals
Welcome to Raeford, North Carolina, 2006.
Agriculture  Churches  Manufacturing  Schools