"...Where Paddock Meets Vine at the Indian Sign"
You know you’re an old timer in Cincinnati if you remember the television commercial slogan “Where Paddock meets Vine at the Indian Sign!” This is the home of the old Cherokee motors on Vine Street in Hartwell. The big Indian has been gracing the intersection of Paddock and Vine for 60 years now. Rumor has it that this is Pontiac. Chief Pontiac is a landmark in Hartwell. This is such a crazy intersection because not only does paddock meet Vine, but Vine meets Anthony Wayne Highway, and all of that is just a few yards from North Bend.
This intersection is one strange intersection. It has no right angles so as you’re entering the intersection you have to also turn your car at just the right angle to stay in your lane. Many a time has chief Pontiac pointed the way as I steered down Vine Street.
This fifty-foot metal Chief Pontiac has been pointing to a car dealership of one kind or another for over 60 years now. Did you know that the big Indian was once lit up with neon? Did you know his left arm used to swing up and down?
When I was growing up in Cincinnati, reaching the big Indian sign meant we were about halfway to Grandma’s house. Seeing Chief Pontiac made that the seemingly long journey much more tolerable.
Of course today this kind of sign is considered offensive to the Native American community. That caricature includes the stereotypes of braided hair, large nose, feather in the hair and leather moccasins. Chief Pontiac would not be made anew these days.
But put your political correctness aside and drive out to Hartwell to enjoy one of Cincinnati’s great iconic signs. Here are some brief directions:
From the North: come south on Interstate 75 and take the Paddock Road exit. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp and you will find the big Indian sign on your left about one fourth of a mile.
From the self: space come north on Interstate 75 and take the Paddock Road exit. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp and you will find the big Indian sign on your left about one fourth of a mile.
Should chief Pontiac ever need to leave this spot, I hope he will be welcome with all the other wonderful signs available to see at the Cincinnati Sign Museum on Essex Place.