​About Us

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Highway Displays, Inc. was founded by Louis Schwartz, a Hungarian immigrant, as the Knickerbocker Sign Company in 1918. However, after only three short years, Louis officially changed the company's name to Highway Displays.



In 1949, Louis' eldest son, Jules Schwartz, began working for the family business. He'd recently served in the United States Army during World War II, and subsequently graduated from Baylor College in Texas. Having been born and raised in Poughkeepsie, Jules took great pride in helping his father run the growing business.



Louis continued to run the company until his death in 1969, at which time Jules took the reins.



By the 1980s, Highway Displays had grown to a respectable size, owning and operating billboards throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley, as well as parts of Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In 1989, Jules' son-in-law, Jeffrey Hartman, moved his family to Poughkeepsie and joined the thriving company.



Jules continued to oversee his family's business until his death in 1999, at which time his widow, Sandra, took over as President of the company. Jules was tremendously proud to have given fifty years of his life to Highway Displays, as well as to his community. Jules played a prominent role in the Poughkeepsie South Rotary Club, serving as President on more than one occasion. Following his death, the club recognized Jules' dedication by creating an annual Jules Schwartz Humanitarian Award in his memory.



Jules' daughter, Marcy Schwartz, joined Highway Displays in the Spring of 2000.



At the beginning of 2021, Jeff's son, Evan, took over as GM. Evan has been with the company since 2008.

 

Today, Highway Displays continues to play a major role in our regional economy, remaining the Mid-Hudson Valley's largest outdoor advertising company.

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Highway Displays currently employs 10 local residents, and has been proud to provide jobs to more than 100 people over the past 101 years.