The Signs that Guide Us

The true story of Virgil “Bus” Carrell and the timeless design of America’s forest signs

In the 1940s, a man named Virgil “Bus” Carrell noticed something others didn’t: the forest was trying to speak, but it didn’t yet have a voice. Working deep in the San Dimas Experimental Forest, he began crafting wooden signs by hand—routing each letter, testing stains, and refining layouts—until the signs felt like they truly belonged to the land.

The Signs That Guide Us celebrates Carrell’s quiet innovation and the lasting legacy of his work. These signs have become a familiar part of our national forests, guiding millions of visitors while blending seamlessly with their surroundings. This project tells the story behind that design—how one man helped nature speak in a way we could all understand.