Franz - Flavor Beyond Compare

Here's a nicely maintained sign on the side of the Franz Bakery building at NE 11th and Flanders. Stop in at the outlet store when you check this one out and take in some of the great bread smells in the area.

2010:

4124 N. Miss Ave

These are certainly on a scale much smaller than the normal advertising sign, but quaint and endearing enough to warrant inclusion here. These small hand-painted address signs on tin plates have been embedded in this retaining wall for decades. Take a close-up look at (obviously) 4124 N. Mississippi Avenue.

2009:

Constructors

Here's a ghost sign on a much smaller scale. It looks like it might have said,
F.H.GcGREW & CO.
CONSTRUCTORS
See for yourself at N. Brandon Ave. and N. Schofield St. Take a look across the street at the historic Kenton Firehouse Station 30 (1913) while you're there.

2009:

Kenton Hotel

Kenton Hotel, 1910

The Kenton Hotel was abandoned during the 1980s and condemned and ordered demolished by the city in 1990. Fortunately, this fine building was rescued and restored and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The sign, "Rooms - Food - Parking" was nicely restored too. Check it out on N. Denver at McClellen, just south of Interstate.

2009:

Unknown

Very little remains of the signs that once graced the walls of this 1911 building at N. Williams Avenue and NE Failing Street. These views are the south wall and north wall respectively.

2009:

Unknown

McKay Brothers Block, c. 1890

This wall has had a rich history of signage but all detail is now lost to the weather. Part of the Widmer Brothers brewing complex, you can see this building at the corner of N. Russell Street and N. Mississippi Avenue.

2009:

Wholesale Seeds

North Coast Seed Co. Building, 1928

Adjacent to, and just to the north of yesterday's post is this wonderfully weathered old warehouse. The words "North Coast Seed Co." spill over from the brick building to the left and "Wholesale Seeds" continues on this building. There aren't many old wood warehouse buildings left in Portland. You can see this best from the dead-end stub of N. Albina Avenue just off N. Interstate Street.

2008:

North Coast Seed. Co.

North Coast Seed Co. Building, 1911

This old brick warehouse has a great selection of old signs, including "ACME ROLLED OATS," "PURINA BREAKFAST FOODS," and "OFFICE NORTH COAST SEED CO." on its north face. The east wall is a little more difficult to read, with maybe "FLOUR AND FEED" toward the top and of course "NORTH COAST SEED CO." at the bottom. Altogether a fine example of ghost signage at N. Albina Avenue and N. Tillamook Street, but easily visible as you pass on N. Interstate AVenue.

Now artist studios, you can read more about the history of this building here.

2008: