Street Sign on Fortwilliam Park on corner with Somerton Road, Belfast

Tiled street sign supported on a fluted cast iron post, located in Fortwilliam Park at the junction with Somerton Road, Belfast.

The sign comprises individual 5 inch tall glazed tiles, each with white lettering on a black background spelling FORTWILLIAM PARK, set on a cast iron back plate. Blank tiles fill extra space on the lower row, and moulded black tiles form the sign's perimeter, restrained with a wrought iron strap. The sign measures 14 inches high, with width determined by the number of letters in the street name. The back plate is bolted to the post in 4 places at the rear. Overall height is 63 inches. The fluted circular post tapers from 3 inches wide at the top to 3.25 inches at the octagonal base, with a projecting ring at top and bottom. A ball finial projects above the tiled sign.

Prior to the early 1900s, Belfast street signs lacked uniformity. Standardisation by Belfast Corporation began in late 1904 when the Police Committee established a sub-committee to investigate the matter. Initially, enamel signage was favoured, but in July 1907 councillors agreed that tile street signs should be used on leading thoroughfares, with iron signs on other streets according to submitted patterns. The Corporation prohibited hanging or projecting signs on main arteries. This standardisation effort was prompted by rapid city growth and the need for legible street markers. It was likely also encouraged by the Corporation's takeover and electrification of the city's tram system in 1905, with passengers requiring clear road identifiers. The distinctive white on black ceramic freestanding signs with fluted cast-iron columns and ball finials appear to date from around 1907 or later, with the earliest probably erected along tram routes. The regularity of surviving examples—distinctive sans serif lettering and standardised column design—indicates Corporation installation of 1907 or later.

Cast-iron columns began to be superseded by square section concrete posts around the early 1930s. This newer version was in use on newly-developed streets by 1951, and the Corporation continued advertising tenders for glazed tile sign letters until late 1955, suggesting this combination remained current at least until that date.

Fortwilliam Park was laid out in the early 1860s. The sign at the western end of the road, which lay along a pre-1907 tram route, was likely installed between 1907 and circa 1930.

This sign has group value with nearby listed street signs at Donegal Park Avenue, Parkmount Road, and two signs at Glastonbury Avenue. As part of Belfast's rich legacy of cast iron street furniture—which includes Parliamentary Boundary Posts, post boxes, and telephone kiosks—it is of historic interest to the citizens of Belfast. The sign is located within a conservation area.