The Ghost Sign is for 'W. H. WATTERSON STRAND BAKERY" which is off Strand Street in Port Erin. The Leters of the sign and paointed in black and white which gives the sign a three-dimensional feel.
This Ghost Sign is painted over and earlier sign in red lettering which is visible above the later word 'STRAND'.
To the left of this Ghost Sign high up on the same word is a 'ghost' road side for 'SIDE STRAND' which is not shown on current street maps of Port Erin.
Watterson is a common surname in this part of the Isle of Man and there are records of other bakers with this surname on the Island.
"A mineral-water works was established alongside the mill. These works had a sunken well to supply the water. The building was owned and worked by Mr. Samuel Watterson, a baker of Port St. Mary. This man later moved to Douglas to live."
"SAMUEL WATTERSON.
Died June 24th, 1916.
The news that Mr Samuel Watterson, baker and confectioner, had passed away at his residence, Mount Falcon, Victoria-road, came as a shock to many people in Douglas and other parts of the Island last Saturday, June 24th. He had but a short illness of less than a week's duration, and the severity of the attack was unknown to those outside the immediate family circle. Mr Watterson was born at Port St. Mary some 74 years ago. Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Mr Mark Watterson, he was a. baker by trade, and in young manhood spent a short time in Liverpool, improving. Subsequently he built and occupied the bakery now in the occupation of Mr W'. H. Gell, Athol-street. Port St. Mary, where his business career was enterprising and successful. With his brother, the late Mr Dan. Watterson, he started a mineral water manufactory, over thirty years ago, on the property known as the Pop houses, Chapel Beach. For some time he successfully farmed a portion of the Port St Mary Farm estate. He also took great interest in the fishing industry in its palmy days, being part-owner of several fishing vessels and coasting steamers. Mr Watterson joined with Mr G. L. Trustrum and the late Mr Thos. Clague in acquiring the Calf of Man, when they opened it up as a visitors' resort. It did not prove a lucrative undertaking. Mr Clague eventually became sole proprietor, and in 1911 the latter gentleman sold the islet to Mr Samuel Haigh, of Huddersfield, the present owner. Mr Watterson served several terms on the Rushen School Board and Port St. Mary Commissioners, relinquishing these positions when he left the district for Douglas in 1902. In local government affairs he held progressive views, and supported all schemes for the betterment of his native district, where he was a fairly large property-owner. Mrs Watterson survives, as do also five sons and four daughters."
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