Terre Haute's landmark Clabber Girl billboard to be restored

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) - A Clabber Girl baking powder billboard that's been a western Indiana landmark since the 1930s is being prepped for a thorough restoration.

The well-worn, 44-foot-long sign on Terre Haute's east side is believed to be Indiana's oldest surviving billboard.

The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Terre Haute-based Clabber Girl Corp. are collaborating on its restoration. That work will begin with the trimming back of trees that are encroaching on the billboard.

Workers will then strengthen its wooden frame and replace its electric clock's worn mechanics before it's repainted.

Rose-Hulman acquired the sign last year as part of its purchase of more than 1,100 acres of land.

The university says local artist Becky Hochhalter will repaint the sign with its original colors and images, including its Clabber Girl Baking Powder logo.