Studio Building

Studio Building, 1927

The Studio Building at the corner of SW 9th and Taylor hosts a sign that was probably once a very dramatic white-on-black. And this is another example of an original sign painted over, with both now only somewhat visible. Probably first was "Studio Building" as the building was originally named. I suspect sometime later "109 Taylor St. Building - Allied Arts" was painted over that.

Check this out from the corner of SW 10th and Taylor.

2007:

Knights of Pythias

Pythian Building, 1907

Another fantastic old sign, or rather two of them, one on top of the other. "Shaw's Surgical Co." (Phone BR.3466) was partially covered by the later "Knights of Pythias." And very informative sign it was, telling you who they were (Great International Order based on Friendship), a bit of history (Founded in 1864), and a full schedule (Ivanhoe Lodge No. 1 - Tuesdays 8 P.M.).

If you're looking at the "Professional Building" (my previous post) from the parking structure at SW 10th and Yamhill (southwest corner), turn left and look south across Yamhill. You have to be on the upper floors if the trees are in bloom or the view will be blocked.

2007:

Professional Building

Professional Building, 1912

This is a fine old sign, showing its age but still highly readable. At one time, "Hotel Carroll" was painted on that spot; you can still make out the "C" in front of "Building."

This building is at SW 11th and Yamhill. The best place to see the sign is from the upper decks of the parking garage at SW 10th and Yamhill.

2007:

Pianos

Hotel Arminius, 1904

This wall has seen many signs over the years. "Pianos For Rent" is fading from the left side. "Our Integrity - Our Guarantee" is barely visible to the right; unfortunately the advertised business is not longer readable. And at one time one sign covered the entire wall; except for the outline, it's gone now.

The building stands at SW 11th and Morrison. Your best view is from the parking garage at SW 10th and Morrison.

2007:

L.D. Heater Music Co., Part 2

Fine Arts Building, 1906

Just around the corner from the L.D. Heater ad in my previous post is another L.D. Heater ad on the west face of the same building. This one is a little harder to see, especially when the trees are in bloom. Step into the Max turnaround area on SW Morrison between 11th and 12th and look east.

2008:

L.D. Heater Music Co., Part 1

Fine Arts Building, 1906

This wall is rich in old ghost signs. The most obvious, and probably the latest painted, is "L.D. Heater Music Co., Wholesale and Retail." L.D. Heater was the first large distributor to handle electric bass guitars in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The L.D. Heater ad covers two earlier ads, both still partially visible. The top one advertised "Portland Business College." Below that was "Lewis-Stenger Barber's Supply Co."

Below all that is a very faded "Pepsi-Cola" sign in the shape of a bottle cap. This Pepsi logo dates from roughly the 1950s. The Pepsi sign is painted on top of another sign, totally unreadable now.

This wall directly faces the "Governor Hotel" sign from my previous post. You can see it while waiting for the streetcar at SW 10th between Morrison and Alder.

2007:

Governor Hotel

Governor Hotel, 1909

Just around the corner from the Seward Hotel sign in my previous post is the current Governor Hotel sign. This is a beautiful sign, probably refurbished since first appearing in 1932, but carefully maintained in its original form.

I took this photo from the fifth floor of the Galleria parking structure on SW 10th and Morrison but you can see it just fine from the street.

2008: