Street sign at junction of Summerhill Parade and Barnett's Road, Belfast, BT5 7BG

Freestanding street sign at the junction of Summerhill Parade and Barnett's Road, dating to circa 1932, located in the suburban area south of Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast.

This sign is typical of those installed throughout the Belfast Corporation area in the early to mid-20th century. It is composed of white letters on black glazed tiles, featuring slightly elongated sans serif lettering. The individual tiles are roughly 12 centimetres high and of varying widths according to the characters they display, each showing a white letter on a black background. The name "Summerhill Parade" is spelled out in two lines. The tiles are set on a cast iron back plate, with additional blank tiles filling the extra space on the lower row. Moulded tiling frames the sign, which is restrained with a wrought iron strap. The entire assembly is attached to a low L-section iron post, just over 1 metre in height. Painted on the post below the sign is the number "5", denoting the postal district.

The sign has witnessed typical damage to its tiling but remains largely intact and represents a good example of its type.

Summerhill Parade itself was laid out circa 1932, named after "Summer Hill", a late 19th century villa that once occupied the site. It is likely the sign was erected at the same time as the street's development.

Belfast Corporation began standardising street signage around 1907, following a decision by the Police Committee's sub-committee established in late 1904. Initially enamel signage was proposed, but in July 1907 councillors agreed that "in future tile street signs be used in leading thoroughfares, and iron signs in other streets in accordance with the patterns now submitted", while prohibiting the erection of hanging or projecting signs on main arteries. This move towards uniformity was prompted by the city's rapid growth and the need for legible markers through new streets, and may have been further encouraged by the Corporation's takeover and electrification of the tram system in 1905. The freestanding white on black ceramic signs were likely introduced around 1907 or later, possibly first along tram routes.

Cast-iron columns supporting such signs were gradually superseded by plain metal supports and then by square section concrete posts. The plain metal variants are difficult to date precisely as they appear on streets predating 1907 as well as those laid out in the early 1930s, though by the latter date the concrete version had become standard. The Corporation continued to advertise for supplies of glazed tile sign letters in tenders until late 1955, suggesting this combination remained in use until at least that date.

Once ubiquitous throughout the city's suburbs, many of these signs have been lost over decades due to redevelopment and wear and tear. Those that have survived are now widely accepted as an important part of Belfast's civic heritage, with the utilitarian yet attractive design becoming something of a style symbol for the city in recent years.