“Business was established in 1910 by John A. Franta at the age of 20. Our first shop was located at 210 2nd St., N.E.”
Canton Sign Company Since 1910.
We are committed to continuing the same tradition that started way back in 1910 by my grandfather, John A. Franta. It was his commitment to honoring our customers by creating the highest quality products for the greatest value to them and to us.
Our History
An Established Business.
Business was established in 1910 by John A. Franta at the age of 20. Our first shop was located at 210 2nd St., N.E. “Specializing in airbrushed show cards, wagon and truck lettering, gold leaf and painted windows, raised letter gold leaf signs and all types of commercial signs.” In 1911 we moved to 138 3rd St., N.E. to a larger and better quarters. Doing the same type of work as previous location.
Next Door Basement Fire.
In 1913 a fire started in the basement of the Francis Sewing Machine store that was located next door. This fire destroyed Francis Sewing Machine, 20th Century Electric, Pfendler the Tailor, Canton Sign Co., Canton Home Furnishings and the J.L. Arnold Funeral Home. We moved into a new shop at 430 Court Ave., N.W. it was here we began manufacturing electric signs. These signs were illuminated by using incandescent light bulbs.
One of the First.
One of our first, large electric sign was that of a 16’ high X 24’ wide – waving American flag. It was shipped to Saginaw, MI. to be mounted on the top of a ten story building. Prior to shipping it was displayed temporarily on the First National Bank building here in Canton. (See photo with John Franta – Top right hand side of sign holding his hand on the flag.)
World War I Draft.
A short time later John Franta was drafted into WW1 and sent to Camp Sherman he was assigned to the 329th Infantry, later transferred to the 26th Division, also called the Yankee Division and he fought in several battles in France before being Mustard Gassed by the enemy. He was sent to Vichy, France for hospitalization.
During his absence his brother Joseph T. Franta operated the business until after the Armistice.
New Shop, New Partnership.
In 1920 we built our own shop At 222 5th St., N.E. In 1928 our business had grown and we expanded our shop more than doubling it’s size. The shop remains at this same location today.
It was 1928 when we began manufacturing Claude Neon Signs. Our signs were known for the high quality of construction and their long life. John and Joseph partnered in the business until 1953, because of his failing health Joseph withdrew from the partnership and a new partnership was formed with John A., Edward A. and Thomas J. Franta. Mrs. Rita Berring was also a partner being Joseph’s daughter.
Joseph died May, 1953. John died January, 1979.
Continuing to Grow and Expand.
Edward and Thomas operated the business throughout the Fifties and Sixties and Seventies. The new type of illumination became the fluorescent lamp, signs faces were made for translucent plastic with multi colored lettering. Neon was still being produced but not as much as before. Edward and Thomas also began manufacturing Industrial Displays as well as Parade Floats.
It was in 1990 that Timothy expanded the business with meeting Roger S. Penske Sr. Roger, owner of Detroit Diesel located in Detroit MI. came to Canton to lease a building from The Timken Company for the Detroit Diesel Parts Distribution
Center, we supplied the signs for that facility. Timothy J. Franta began working at the company in 1968 and Mark A. Franta began working shortly after that. Shortly afterwards, Roger was ordering signs to be installed nationwide as well as in Canada, Mexico, South America and even Africa.
We currently supply signs nationwide for Detroit Diesel, Allison Transmission, MTU, Hino Trucks and Mercedes Benz to name just a few. We are also proud to be producing signs for the highest quality corporations and companies in and around Canton.
The Canton Sign Company Today.
Thomas retired to begin a very successful Watercolor painting career in 1985. Edward passed in 2002. Mark left the company in 2009. Matthew J. Franta, Timothy’s son began working full time in 2010.
Today the partnership is Timothy J. Franta and Matthew J. Franta. We currently are specializing in custom designed, high quality products for Corporations and business of all kinds.
The newest form of illumination today is from LED’s, however, we still create Neon signs with the nostalgic flavor from my grandfather’s era.
We are committed to continuing the same tradition that started way back in 1910 by my grandfather, John A. Franta. It was his commitment to honoring our customers by creating the highest quality products for the greatest value to them and to us.
