Port of New Bedford Sign Has A Detail You Will Never Unsee

A Morning Show Conversation That Took A Turn

Sometimes you can never anticipate where the conversation on the morning show will go. I initially planned on talking about the unwritten rules of living in New Bedford, but when the audience saw the random photo we used for the article, things quickly shifted.

The Sign Everyone Has An Opinion About

We chose to use a picture that welcomes people to the Port of New Bedford. It’s honestly not a sign I’ve spent much time thinking about, but apparently, I’m in the minority.

People immediately started commenting about how much this sign annoys them. Apparently, it’s been a topic of conversation for years. The “R” in the word “Port” and the “W” in the word “New” do not appear to be the same font as the rest of the letters. This observation was originally made by an established artist in the city, Jeff Saint, so there is some level of credibility to it.

The Detail You Cannot Unsee

I must admit that I have never looked at the sign closely enough to notice the font. However, I also have to admit that I cannot unsee it now.

We also got comments from listeners who questioned whether the O’s in the sign were actually zeroes. Sign maker Derek Fernandes recalls a period of time when one of the O’s was definitely a zero. “The only reason they fixed it is because it peeled off on its own,” joked Fernandes.

Why The Sign Still Matters

Either way, I would not want to see the sign go away. It is one of those signs that gives you that warm feeling that you are home after a long road trip. There is also a certain amount of character that the sign brings. New Bedford is not here to judge. We are here to accept you wherever you happen to be on this journey of life.