Fisher's, Part 4

Building, 1921

This is the fourth "FISHER'S BLEND FLOUR" sign I've covered in the Portland area. The others are large, commercial size signs and as were the others, this dates from the early 20th century. But this is different in that it was painted on the side of a residential garage. See it on SE Milwaukie just south of Rhine.

2008:

Woolworth's Sweet Shop

Building, 1911

This fine old sign was probably vividly colored when new. "EAT AND ENJOY" is still visible in the upper left while the nicely scripted "WOOLWORTH'S" splashes across the top-center. The building dates to 1911 and the sign painters helpfully dated their work with "1912" along the bottom. This is on the south facing wall of the building at SE 13th and Tenino.

2008:

Syrup Pepsin

Sellwood Building, 1912

DR. CALDWELL'S
SYRUP PEPSIN
CURES CONSTIPATION

This great old sign probably dates back to the building's origins; the heyday of the Syrup Pepsin name was roughly 1900-1934. The Sellwood Building is at SE 13th and Tacoma. The ad, in the heart of the Sellwood district, is best seen if you walk half a block north on 13th, or as the bottom photo shows, on SE Spokane just west of 13th.

2009:

National Laundry

National Laundry Building, 1925

This is very hard to read but I was able to make out (through the magic of Photoshop) "S.H. SAMMONS" across the top, and "NATIONAL LAUNDRY" in big red letters. The old sign is on the west-facing wall but the south and east walls feature some neat cast concrete ornamental reliefs. Take a look at SE Clay between 8th and 9th.

2008:

Drive In

Building, 1925

Urban decay at its finest! This looks like it may have been an auto-related business years ago, but that's just a guess. This is easily visible driving out SE Hawthorne at 10th.

2008:

Moores Co.

Building, 1911

There's not much left of this sign. I think I can make out "... MOORES CO." across the top. There's much more that's totally unreadable. Check it out yourself - the building is at SE 8th and Hawthorne; see the sign from SE 9th.

2008:

Masons Supply Company

Building, 1909

These "MASONS SUPPLY COMPANY" signs are not nearly as old as most I've listed here but they have a nice style and patina. And the north wall is truly impressive in size. SE 12th and Clinton.

2009:

Mitchell Lewis & Staver

City Liquidators Building, 1905

These signs may date to the building's 1905 origins. They are very hard to make out now and hard to photograph; the street is narrow and the signs are wide and/or high. It's a wonder these signs were spared the spray gun. There are not that many wood frame buildings left in the CEID, especially of this size. See it at SE 2nd and Morrison.

Mitchell Lewis & Staver is still a major Northwest pump distributor, now located in Wilsonville.

2009:

Strictly Cash

Powell's Books, 1918

The repair work at Powell's City of Books just keeps unwrapping more gifts. Following the uncovering of old structural beams from the building's days as an auto dealership, posted here and here, this newest discovery reveals two layers. "ALL REPAIRS & PARTS" and "ALL LABOR & MATERIALS" share the top line; I can't tell which was painted first. "STRICTLY CASH" is on the bottom line.

2009:

Shell Gasoline

Building: 1921

Ouch. This one hurts. For years this "SHELL GASOLINE" sign had been carefully painted around, the gray building paint carefully avoiding the old ad. Then in the last two years somebody had the great idea to what, restore the sign? This literally hurts my eyes.

This scallop shell, or 'pecten', emblem style was used between 1948 and 1955. See what's left of it (if you dare) at 726 SE 6th Avenue between Alder and Morrison.

2007:
2009: