Sam Moy & Co.

Davis Block Building, 1890

A classic sign with a unique yellow background:
SAM MOY & CO.
MEN & WOMENS' FURNISHINGS.
Special Weave Cloth
HEADLIGHT
Overalls
This is on the side of the Davis Block Building at N. Russell and N. Albina. Stop in and get some natty Headlight Overalls.

2008:

(International Association of Machinists, 1916)

Merle's Carburetor Inc

This run-down little shop has a decades-old hand-painted sign gracing its front. Classic in its styling, simple in its statement.

The "Sauter Spray Equip." sign off to the right is a more recent signage example. See them both at SE Milwaukie and Woodward.

2009:

Darby's Reducer

"Darn Tootin' I Use Darby's" is hard to miss at SE 6th and Hawthorne. Slightly faded, it's still in pretty good shape and should be visible for decades more.

2009:

Say It With Flowers

This old "Say it with Flowers" sign looks like it may date to the 1970s. Its message of romance is not in character with the industrial parking lot it overlooks at SE 6th and Salmon.

2009:

Columbia Wool Scouring Mills

Pendleton Woolen Mills bought Columbia Wool Scouring Mills in 1971. If this building is still in use, they receive raw wool fiber in fleece form here where it's graded, sorted and scoured, which is a washing process. So sometime between the sheep and your comfy blanket, the fleece/wool probably goes through this building.

The sign is quite easy to see at 2030 N. Columbia Blvd. You can also see it from the MAX train or crossing N. Denver.

Apostolic Faith

Apostolic Faith Church Building, 1922

The Apostolic Faith Church built their handsome brick building at NW 6th and Burnside in 1922. They left the building in about 1982 and Starry Night (now Roseland Theater) moved in. This 6th Avenue marquee remained for another quarter century, the words "APOSTOLIC FAITH" slowly weathering away. The whole thing was replaced in 2009.

Incidentally, the front of the building was physically moved 20 feet to the north when Burnside was widened in 1930. This building also housed the "JESUS - THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" sign on its roof, a Portland skyline fixture for many years.

2008:
2009:

1968:

Arthur Cole Candy Co.

Look quickly! This sign is going away soon, if it's not gone already. The Arthur Cole Candy Co. has been here at NE 14th and Alberta for about 20 years but has recently moved out near the airport. The old structure is being converted to a mixed use structure with live/work units.

2009: