Sign of the times is not about modern times

CORNWALL — An old-fashioned sign directing travelers to the oldest part of town is about to be replaced. The plan isn’t to make it bigger or better or simply more modern. Cornwall craftsman Zejke Hermann has been hired to replicate the sign.Located at the corner of Route 128 and Town Street, it is these days more of historical than informational importance.The selectmen approved the $875 cost at their Sept. 6 meeting. Hermann said this week he had received a down payment and was about to start work. Funding will come from a state grant.Hermann said the only changes would be making some of the lettering easier to read, even though the destinations of some directions no longer exist. A pane titled “Centre East” directs visitors to what must have been an historic site even way back when. It proclaims that there will be found the first schoolhouse, in the residence of Samuel Messenger.Another pane is designated “Centre South,” and indicates the way to the Third District Schoolhouse and Emmon’s Tavern, in what was then called Cornwall Center. It dates back to the mid-18th century and was favored by Revolutionary War officers on leave.