Hobo Signs Page #4

This page lists all the various symbols in the Hobo Signs category.

Hobo Signs

A hobo is a migratory worker or homeless vagabond—especially one who is penniless. The term originated in the Western (probably Northwestern) United States around 1890. Unlike "tramps"—who work only when they are forced to- and "bums" who do not work at all, "hobos" are itinerant workers.

It is unclear exactly when hobos first appeared on the American railroading scene. With the end of the American Civil War in the 1860s, many discharged veterans returning home began hopping freight trains. Others looking for work on the American frontier followed the railways west aboard freight trains in the late 19th century.

To cope with the difficulty of such a lifestyle, hobos developed a system of symbols, or a code. Hobos would write this code with chalk or coal to provide directions, information, and warnings to other hobos. Some signs included "turn right here", "beware of hostile railroad police", "dangerous dog", "food available here", and so on.

Symbols in this category:

Here it is

A hobo sign indicating the location of something.

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Here live only women

A French hobo sign indicating that only women live in a particular house.

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Here live only women (alternative)

A French hobo sign indicating that only women live in a particular house.

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Here you can get work

A French hobo sign that says there are job opportunities available here.

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Hidden money

A French hobo sign that indicates money- there's a lot of it but it's well-hidden.

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Hobos are thieves

A French hobo sign indicating that people in the area view hobos as thieves.

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Hobos are thieves (alternative)

A French hobo sign indicating that people in the area view hobos as thieves.

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Homeowner has a gun

A triangle with hands signifies that the homeowner has a gun and he was going to use it.

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Hospitable house

A French hobo sign indicating a hospitable house.

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Hostile police

beware of hostile railroad police

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Judge

In the United States system of hobo signs, this symbol indicates that a judge lives here.

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Kind woman

A British hobo sign that indicates where a kind woman lives.

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Kind-hearted women

French- this house is inhabited by kind-hearted women.

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Knock here

A sign in both the British and United States hobo systems.

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Legal building

A United States hobo sign indicating a police station or law court.

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