What do the Purple Fence Posts in Mean?
No Trespassing!
This purple fence post establishment dates back to Arkansas’ law in 1989 with Texas and eight other states following suit eight years later in 1997 to alert people the division between private and public property.
Still in effect, the official law states that landowners had to put up a sign detailing what the purple paint signified in addition to painting the areas. Obviously, there was much confusion. Why paint if signs are required?
In this case, the law became sort of silly-stupid. The Texas legislature pretty much sympathized with landowners who were having to constantly replace their No Trespassing signs because of vandalism and theft.
Trespassers would use the posted signs for target practice or even steal them to decorate their own properties. Thus, because there was no trespassing sign anymore, people would take it upon themselves to help themselves to the farmer’s or rancher’s property. So, they came up with a colorful purple fence posts law.
The Law of the Land
The Texas Law is HB 793, under Texas Penal Code 30.05, Criminal Trespass, section 1, subsection D.
The law requires the following regarding the use of purple paint on fence posts, gates and even trees;
So, now we know the meaning behind the purple fence posts. Now, landowners and ranchers don’t have to continuously replace costly signs. It’s just a matter of slapping some purple paint on their fence posts and boom! Everyone can see them! Now, no more excuses.
Why PURPLE fence posts?
But ‘why purple’?? It certainly isn’t because they follow Prince or it’s an artsy statement. The color purple was chosen for a simple reason. Purple is visible to people who are colorblind.
Take Away
Also, this colorful warning is permanent. Purple attracts attention because it’s different and doesn’t typically blend into the natural surroundings. It certainly did attract ours enough to look it up due to curiosity.
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