Sign Up  /  Login

The Happy Hobo and the Little Red Caboose LbNA #51375

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Nov 12, 2009
Location:
City:Henry
County:Marshall
State:Illinois
Boxes:1
Planted by:TeamGoody63
Found by: lasermom
Last found:Sep 24, 2011
Status:FFF
Last edited:Nov 12, 2009
The Happy Hobo and the Little Red Caboose!

A Quick Definition-
A Hobo is a person that travels to work
A Tramp is a person that travels and wont work
A Bum is a person that will neither travel or work

Back in the days of the Great Depression, the U.S. saw an increase in the hobo population. Walking along long roads or hitching rides on trains, hobos would travel about, looking for a place where they could get lucky and find a better way of life.

Of course, such a life of wanderlust was difficult, especially since one has to travel without knowing anything of the landscape or locals.

The hobos came up with an ingenious sign language to communicate to each other along the way. The sign language they used were markings and drawings that hobos would leave along the road for their fellow travelers. Usually the drawings were charcoal drawings on telephone polls or fence posts and sometimes carved into wood.

The variety of messages passed between hobos are incredible. There are some basic traveling symbols such as “go this way,” “don’t go that way,” or “get out fast.” , Then there’s praises and warnings of the locals – “A meal can be found here“, “doctor, no charge,” “police officer lives here, not kind to tramps,” “dangerous neighborhood,” “you may sleep in barn.” You can find different hobo symbols on the listed website.

To find this letterbox , it is rather simple. Search for a Happy Hobo on Route 29, you will find “him” hanging out just north of Henry on the east side of the road. Go to the counter during business hours (11-3:30 during the fall/winter season with extended hours starting in the spring 7 days a week) and ask if a Kindhearted Lady and Bad tempered Man can help find what you seek. You can take your prize to the tables in the building to stamp. Stamp, stamp pad and log book included.

This is our first placed letterbox, if we did something wrong, let us know! Thanks! TeamGoody63!