W 2nd Street Vernacular Typography

History

Antioch is one of Contra Costa County’s most populous cities as part of the East County. It was founded on February 6, 1872 and originally was called Smith’s Landing.

The first settlements in Antioch are located in what is now the Northern part of F Street. Part of Antioch’s rich culture lies in the heart of the downtown area North of Highway 4 near the San Joaquin River, with the neighborhood closest to the San Joaquin called Rivertown District.

Towards Rivertown District

Revival

Antioch underwent a massive history in attempting to revitalize the downtown region. As of March 2023, W 2nd Street serves as the overreaching street, stretching from the Antioch Police Station to the plazas of A Street.

In the 1980s, businesses in downtown Antioch were closing en masse, so it became less incentivizing to visit thus an increasing rate. It also became a hotspot for a high homeless population and crime rate for a while.

Another instance where businesses were also closing was during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many local spots were forced to close. Both instances of local business mass shutdowns still have some influence in downtown Antioch as abandoned buildings serve as a reminder of a local business lost in time.

The only remnants of downtown Antioch’s abandoned buildings

Antioch’s efforts to enhance Rivertown continue to flourish towards the 21st century. In June 2022, a metal sign with the name Rivertown was constructed in the intersection of West 2nd Street and E Street.

Not only does it reinforce the name of the surrounding neighborhood, but it also emphasizes its long-standing history of gathering attraction to residents of Antioch. The city also added street light banners to further highlight what downtown Antioch has to offer for its residents living there. West 2nd Street possesses a number of cultural spots that represent the people living downtown. Towards the far North of L Street is the Antioch Marina, a tranquil area and destination for boating.

Local residents also travel to this location to explore the Corteva Wetlands Preserve, a park of open tidal wetlands. In contrast to a peaceful destination, the Antioch Amtrak frequently makes loud train noises that can be heard from far.

It used to be a greener and cleaner area; however, there’s a high homeless population surrounding the train stop as remnants of a former attraction. A sign with the label “Amtrak - Antioch & Pittsburg” has almost all of the type missing, and much of the surrounding train station is littered throughout.

The Antioch Marina is in close proximity to the Corteva

This is located near the intersection of W 2nd and E Street.

Wetlands Preserve.

There used to be a train station shelter, but in September 2019, the city removed the shelter in response to continuous vandalism. The vast majority of downtown Antioch’s buildings are local businesses of differing types and over the years, they often close and reopen under different names and organizations for a brief time.

After years of nearby littering and vandalism

Metal Type Nick Rodriguez Community Center & Theatre

Antioch has a number of locations involving the use of metal type. Nick Rodriguez Community Center is one example and it serves as an open spot for local community events in the city.

Named after Nick Rodriguez, a local mayor, commissioner, and city sport legend, the center also does performance arts events for downtown Antioch residents. Just directly nearby the Nick Rodriguez Community Center is the town’s local senior center, which holds recreational activities and community engagement events.

A spot for a number of small events

El Campanil Theatre

One of downtown’s Antioch’s most prized locations is El Campanil Theatre. The theater opened its doors in November 1928. It has a bell on the very top of the building to signify its Spanish facade.

Downtown Antioch’s most prized possession

Directly neighboring the Nick Rodriguez Community Center

Vinyl Type

Typefaces on vinyl are a prevalent category found on West 2nd Street. Places to find vinyl text are displayed on glass. They are also common on nearby streets home to recent businesses.

Guadalajara Taqueria

One such business in this category is Guadalajara Taqueria, a local Mexican restaurant. It features a bold red and green color pair with a white stroke surrounding the type.

This color pair emphasizes the Mexican tricolor as part of its cultural background. This restaurant opened sometime after June 2018 and the building was previously called the Veale Building.

One of downtown Antioch’s many Hispanic-oriented restaurants

A local fabric shop that offers quilting classes to all ages.

These vinyl banners are scattered throughout W 2nd Street.

Furry Friends Pet Relief

A second location in finding vinyl on glass is the Furry Friends Pet Relief veterinary care center. It opened doors sometime in 2021. A thing about locations like this is that white is a frequent color element displayed on glass.

At the other end of W 2nd Street

This church is non-denominational and is open for everyone.

The town’s local animal care center

Stone Type

West 2nd Street and by extension, downtown Antioch have locations involving type written in stone. One particular instance of this is that in addition to the tall street intersection signs, downtown Antioch has stone signs that are knee height with gold text carved to the stone.

Exclusive to the Rivertown neighborhood, these street signs are a complementary addition to the local environment. These stone signs expand on a boundary from 4th Street northwards, and from I Street to E street. They have a slab serif typeface.

Near the town city hall

The town’s local police station at one end of W 2nd Street

Antioch City Hall

Another source where stone type is present is Antioch City Hall, known by locals as the place for community meetings. Like the stone street signs, Antioch City Hall has recessed type alongside a similar slab serif typeface. Bordering Willow Park Mercantile and the Antioch Masonic Lodge

The centerpiece of W 2nd Street

The street with the closest proximity to the Antioch Amtrak

Near Prospects High School and Tony’s Beer Garden

Hand-Painted Type

Rivertown includes a number of locations involving hand-painted text. For example, the Antioch Armory has a decorated serif mural on the side of the building and features a patriotic theme and style.

Holy Angels Books & Religious Articles

In addition to the Antioch Armory, West 2nd Street also has Holy Angels Books and Religious Articles, a building containing and selling Christian merchandise.

The Latin phrase “gloria in excelsis deo” means “Glory to God in the highest.”

Antioch Armory

Nearby the city hall is Antioch Armory, a site specializing in firearms and airsoft weapons. Antioch Armory features a hand-painted illustration on top of the building with serif text.

Juanito’s Auto Body

Between the city hall and the city police facility is Juanito’s Auto Body, a car repair building. At some point after 2019, the building has a massive decorated sign of their business using spray paint and a script font.

This gun shop highlights a sense of patriotism and self-defense.

This auto shop opened sometime in 2013.

Freestanding Type

Antioch has local shops that display a pedestrian sign to attract residents. Several examples involving freestanding pedestrian signs around W 2nd Street include Willow Park Mercantile, JJ Aquarium, Tease Southern Kitchen, Rivertown Treasure Chest, and Bay Area Exotic.

One of Antioch’s antique shops in the heart of W 2nd Street

Above: This pedestrian sign incorporates an outer embellishment.

Left: a local spot for comfort food & catering.

Below: An Easter egg hunt event located at a nearby water park.

Left: Antioch’s local downtown aquarium store

Right: This store is one of the newer additions to W 2nd Street.

F

Freestanding 20

G

glass 12

H

Hand-Painted 18

History 4

M

Metal 9

R

Rivertown 4, 6, 15, 18, 20

Designed, photographed, and written by Steven Fuentes Macedo

Cover: This masonic lodge was originally a theatre until it was purchased in 1923.

S script 19

serif 15, 16, 18, 19

sign 6, 19, 20, 21

Stone 15

V

Vinyl 12

W

W 2nd Street 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 22