With contributions from Larry Lee Moniz and Ruth Shea.
The M*A*S*H signpost is an iconic piece of television history, instantly recognizable by millions. It represented home to the members of the 4077th, pointing in all directions towards a variety of cities, no matter how far away. At the end of the final episode the signpost was taken apart, with characters taking the signs to their hometowns.
Here is a listing of most of the cities and distances on the signpost:
- Boston
- Seoul - 34 miles, 54 kilometers
- Coney Island - 7033 miles
- San Francisco - 5426 kilometers
- Tokyo - 259 miles, 414 kilometers
- Burbank - 5610 miles
- Death Valley - 6116 miles
- Indianapolis - 6779 miles
- Toledo - 6418
- Decatur - 9412 miles
- Seoul - 34 miles, 54 kilometers
- Honolulu - 4548 miles
A total of three signposts were used during the production of M*A*S*H. Since M*A*S*H was filmed both on soundstages on the 20th Century Fox lot and out at the Fox Ranch in California two signposts were originally constructed. During the final season, a fire burned the outdoor set, including the signpost. A third signpost was soon fashioned to replace the one that was destroyed.
After the series ended, the third signpost was was donated to the Smithsonian by 20th Century Fox and was on display with other M*A*S*H props and memorabillia. Currently, the signpost is part of the National Museum of American History. The Smithsonian signpost was also on display in the American Pastimes: Entertainment portion of the Remembering Gallery in America's Smithsonian, which celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Smithsonian.
It was even included in The Virtual Smithsonian, for the Smithsonian Institution Millennium Project. Footage of the M*A*S*H exhibit at the Smithsonian and a 3D model of the signpost are available here. Use the following steps:
- Enter Hi-Bandwidth or Low-Bandwidth
- Click on Remembering, at the bottom of the screen
- Click on American Pastimes
- Click on Entertainment
- Click on Movies & Television
- Click on the green arrow in a circle four times to get to the signpost
- Click on the image of the signpost
- You will see a larger image and a description
- On the right, click on the circular, white icon of a camera to see footage from the M*A*S*H exhibit
- Click on the white, circular icon of a cube, a sphere and a cone to see the 3D image of the signpost
The soundstage signpost was later owned by Bert F. Allen, set decorator for M*A*S*H. It was sold by Profiles in History during its July 2005 Hollywood auction. It had a pre-sale estimate of between $10,000 and $12,000 and eventually sold for an impressive $25,000.
Fans of M*A*S*H have created their own versions of the signpost. In June of 2002, I recieved an e-mail from Larry Lee Moniz, with an attached photo of a reproduction of the signpost, circa Season Eleven. I was quite impressed, and asked if I could post the picture here. Larry graciously agreed. Here it is:
And in August of 2004, Ruth Shea sent me an e-mail explaining how her decision to build a miniature version of the signpost:
And here is a picture of Ruth's signpost:
References:
- Profiles In History, Hollywood Auction 22 Auction Catalogue, Page 169.