Roadside advertising by local, regional and national companies took many forms in the early 20th century, starting with small signs promoting local inns, service stations and other businesses. Later, larger companies such as "Standard Oil" and "Old Reliable Coffee" advertised along the Road. The "Mail Pouch Tobacco Company" was perhaps the most creative of the early 20th century advertisers promoting their product on the sides of barns. 
Today, the ubiquitous "Mail Pouch" barn sign can still be found along the Road and throughout the Midwest. Harley Warrick, from Belmont, Ohio, painted hundred of "Mail Pouch" barn signs for nearly one-half century.
Burma Shave, a popular shaving cream of the day, sold in small glass jars with metal lids, began advertising in the 1930s and 1940s and eventually became one of the most prolific of the roadside advertisers. Burma Shave had a group of salesmen who would approach local landowners seeking to place a series of five, small red signs with white lettering, located about 100 feet apart, each containing one line of a four line couplet and the obligatory fifth sign advertising Burma Shave.
