Theodore P Heinemann Acquisition

This is a recent acquisition that I am super excited about.  As most of you know, I have an extensive Indiana Artist database that now lives on my phone so when I am out “treasure” hunting and come across obscure art, I can quickly do a bit of research.  This particular painting was signed “T. P. Heinemann” and conveniently had a handwritten description on the back detailing a Connersville, Indiana scene.  I was not able to find anything in my database so I turned to google and didn’t quickly find anything either. On its face, the painting appears to be a very well practiced amateur with a detail oriented eye.  I immediately fell in love with the piece and had to have it so I just bought it.  Well now, after hours of online research I finally pieced together a really interesting story about this artist.  Theodore P. Heinemann was born in Connersville on March 5, 1856 and between 1888 and 1908 he ran the Triple Sign Company in Connersville. Heinemann was an inventor and held several patents, but one in particular revolutionized the sign industry in the 1880’s.  His invention of the “triple sign” was sold all over the world and the biggest order was to the Lever Brothers, Limited, in England.  The Triple Sign Company was sold in 1908 and Heinemann continued to pursue real estate endeavors.  Heinemann also had an interest in art from an early age. The earliest work I was able to find by him was a pencil sketch of a church when he was age 14.  By 1917, he was a well known landscape painter in the region and was considered the “dean of Fayette country artists”.  This particular scene was painted in 1915 and appears to be a scene just east of Connersville looking south towards Alpine, Indiana.

Description written on the back of the painting

I would love to know what that sign says, anyone have any ideas?

Based upon the description on the back, this is my best guess as to the locations referenced in the painting. Then upper most circle being where approximately this was painted.