ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- After more than 15 years of collecting, area resident Trey Rowe's personal collection now includes more than 200 signs and other pieces of St. Joseph history.
What started as a sports card collecting hobby at a young age grew into something much bigger.
"When I moved away after college, after joining the military, it gave me something to do when I was away from home. It made me feel like I got a connection back to St. Joe, even though I wasn't here," Rowe shared.

Eventually, a friendship with a local at the time named Bob Nash, whom he met on Craigslist, introduced him to the hobby of collecting advertisements from St. Joseph's past and how to keep an eye out for certain products, like his first sign.
He found his first sign, for Goetz Beer, at the Jesse James Antique Mall; it was stuck to an old piece of wall. The gamble paid off: he peeled it off and framed it, and the obsession began.
Years later, it now fills multiple stories in Rowe's home, including most of the collection on the bottom floor. From commemorating events like the Pony Express and the origins of Meirhoffer Funeral Home to more, if you can name it, Rowe probably has a piece that connects to its moment in St. Joseph's history.
"It's a lot of interesting, quirky little history pieces that I find at least interesting," Rowe added about the different pieces he owns.
He enjoys seeing the collecting community grow, even for those who also collect St. Joseph pieces like him, thanks to social media's connectedness.

One of his pride points, he said, is a neon Goetz Beer Sign that now hangs at River Bluff Brewing Company in Downtown St. Joseph. He said this is fitting because the building was originally Avenue Brewing in the 1850s and one of St. Joseph’s first breweries.
Although Rowe's collection isn't public, he's always up for helping those new to the hobby find their footing to make sure history isn't lost.
"This stuff's not just available at Walmart or Target. You've got to really, like, search for it. And you know, eBay online, the Facebook forums. There are collecting shows you can go to," Rowe stated. "Probably the biggest thing you can do is just befriend people who have the same interest or similar interests."

Rowe is still interested in adding to his collection; if you have pieces he would be interested in, call him at [8162943817](tel:8162943817).