Place a set!

The Standard: Consistency is what makes our crosses recognizable and memorable across America. Every set adheres to these specifications:

  • Structure: Each cluster consists of three telephone poles placed on 12-foot centers, buried 3 feet deep.

  • Dimensions: The two outer crosses stand 20 feet tall, while the center cross rises to 22 feet.

  • Materials: A total of four poles are required per set to account for the cross members.

    • Center Cross: Uses a 7-foot cross member, with the notch cut 54 inches on center from the top of the pole.

    • Outer Crosses: Use 6-foot cross members, with the notch cut 46 inches on center from the top of the pole.

  • Detailing: Each cross features three large, visible nails—two on the crosspiece and one positioned 5–6 feet below the crosspiece.

Placement Philosophy: While we ideally place these clusters along major thoroughfares to maximize visibility, most of our crosses stand on the property of friendly neighbors who support our mission, as well as on church property.

Repaint

Our Crosses have specific paint codes, see below. Repainting crosses requires first scraping off the old flaking paint before applying any new paint. We have made our tool for scraping off old paint. See our video in the Media tab.

Placing a set also requires a coat of primer, we use Sherwin-Williams A-100 EXTERIOR FAST DRY STAIN BLOCKING ALKYD PRIMER.

Sherwin-Williams Paint Codes

Gold Crosses

Base: Ultra Deep, Int/Ext Light Industrial Alkyd Enamel, Gloss (Standalone)

Colorant 1 oz 32 64 128
W1 – White — 34 1 —
N1 – Raw Umber — 20 1 —
R2 – Maroon — 1 1 1
Y3 – Deep Gold 8 6 1 1

Blue Crosses

Base: Pure White, Int/Ext Light Industrial Alkyd Enamel, Gloss (Standalone)

Colorant 1 oz 32 64 128
B1 – Black — 5 1 1
G2 – New Green — 5 1 1
Y3 – Deep Gold — 7 — —
L1 – Blue — 20 — —
R3 – Magenta — 6 — —

Restore

Restoring a site so it remains visible from the road often requires simple hand tools and power tools, including:

  • A weed eater with a trimmer attachment

  • A weed eater with a cutting disc blade

  • A small chainsaw (we often use a simple battery-operated saw)

Our sites rarely require lawnmowers or tractors, unless the site has gone unkempt for many years.