Howard Johnson’s Carved Wood Display Sign

Sign was from the Howard Johnson’s restaurant formerly located in Towson, MD.  It was purchased from the estate of Pompeo DeRenzo who managed the restaurant beginning in 1977 until his retirement.  DeRenzo had formerly been an area supervisor from the late 1960s until 1972, and the area manager for Maryland until 1978.  When the company was restructured in 1977, DeRenzo’s job was given to someone with a college degree, but Claire Allen, daughter of Howard Johnson, offered him the manager position.  The sign was removed in the late 1980s when the company decided to update its look.

(See also 2016.0025.0001)