Portland Building Ads - Portland, Oregon

Smith Teas

2011-12-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

This is a brand new sign but tastefully done in an old fashioned style. It's painted over another oldish sign, that for the "Rose City Classic Car Emp." on NW Thurman between 16th and 17th. That sign goes into the extinct pile but this is a fine example of a new sign done right.

2011:

Hiatus

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Original posting date: February 17, 2010

I started this project two and a half years ago, in August, 2007. I was going to simply reshoot some ghost signs I'd photographed in 1996-97. That ballooned into a project to chronicle all of Portland's ghost signs. And I think I've done that, or at least all I know about and want to include.

Therefore, this blog is going into hiatus until I come up with fresh material. That may be a new (old) sign that I find, or that you tell me about. It may be a sign that's uncovered due to demolition of a building. It may be the loss of an existing sign due to new construction or covering with new advertising. Or I may wait another 10 years and start all over again to see how these great signs are holding up.

Please let me know if you think I should include something here, if you know about a sign that I don't know about. I know they're out there!

If you're a Portland history buff and love old photos, follow along on my new venture: Vintage Portland.

Samtrak

2011-10-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Two more Samtrak signs have surfaced in the rail yard area at SE Water Avenue and Caruthers Street, just across from OMSI.

2011:

West Bearing & Parts Update

2011-10-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

The West Bearing & Parts building, and its cool old sign, were reduced to rubble in late June, 2011.

2011:

Padrow's Prescription Pharmacy

2011-10-27T11:47:00.001-07:00

This painted pharmacy sign was recently uncovered on the window of the Wilshire Market & Deli on the corner of NE Alameda and Fremont Street. The building dates to 1923 and I wouldn't be surprised if the sign went back that far too. Incredibly, the sign is painted on the outside of the window.

2011:

Detroit Motor - Garage and Storage

2011-10-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

Trollycar Barn

This terrific old artifact is on the east side of the old trollycar barn condominiums on the corner of NW 28th & Savier Street. You can see this from the Savier Street side. Thanks to Jane Joan for pointing this one out.

2011:

King Omelets

2011-10-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Slowly fading in the elements is this King Omelets sign, not particularly old but interesting anyway. See it on NE Halsey at 107th.

2011:

Coca-Cola

2011-07-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Holman's Restaurant, 1908

Holman's Restaurant, just steps north of SE 28th and Ankeny, sports this terrific old Coca-Cola sign. It's been left intact over the years and shows evidence of other advertising, including "Pharmacy" at the top.

2011:

Entrance North Side

2011-04-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

Globe Hotel, 1911

Recent demolition of the old Oregon Mountain Community building on the corner of NW Naito Parkway and Couch unveiled this "Entrance North Side" sign on the 1911 Globe Hotel at NW 1st and Couch. The OMC building was constructed in 1967 so this sign probably pre-dates that, as this appears to be an outdoor sign. There's also a fragment of a sign that appears to have been cut into by the second-floor door and painted over with the green paint. Hard to tell what that might have once said.

2011:

Flying A Service

2011-04-05T11:05:00.001-07:00

The Flying A Service sign on SE McLoughlin just north of Tacoma is visible again. For years it was covered by a sign for a hobby shop in the building but that shop is gone, along with their sign. The Flying A Service sign, nicely weathered after decades in the elements, is visible both north- and southbound.

2011:

Nolan

2011-04-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

This old sign looks like it may have once been a "Nolan Rexall Drug" sign. It was spotted December 2010 on the side of the Woodstock Wine & Deli shop at SE 40th and Woodstock.

2010:

Darby's Reducer Update

2011-03-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

The "Darby's Reducer" ad at SE 6th and Hawthorne has been covered by a giant plastic banner. It has not been painted or pasted over, but its long term prospects are iffy. See the original sign here.

2010:

Ruby Mist Update 2

2011-03-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick update on the completely covered Ruby Mist sign since we last saw it. Check out the original post here and an updated post partway through its coverup.

2010:

Mission Orange

2010-09-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

This once-colorful old Mission Orange sign takes some careful sleuthing to find. Tucked under some old cedar trees at the back of an old commercial building at SE 39th and Gladstone, this sign probably once advertised the orange soda at a long-gone grocery store at this location. An almost extinct sign just to the right of this could have been a grocery sign. Thanks again to Jay for telling me about this sign.

Hugo Kern Furniture Refinishing

2010-09-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

This "HUGO KERN FURNITURE REFINISHING" and the "CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY" sign above it have been on this west-facing wall of the shop on the corner of SE 39th and Gladstone for decades. The top sign even has a couple of generations of signs painted over. A nice bit of old signage, even though it is marred by some more recent electrical work.

Busy Corner Grocery

2010-08-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

Busy Corner Grocery, 1910

The Busy Corner Grocery store has stood at the corner of SE 41st and Raymond for a hundred years. The signs aren't quite that old but they're not newbies either. Stop by and have a look some day; despite the name, the corner isn't so busy any more. Thanks to ghost sign fan Jay for pointing this out.

Wm. Landauer Groceries

2010-07-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

Wm. Landauer Mercantile, 1891

I just discovered this beautifully restored sign at the corner of SE 30th and Stark Streets. William Landauer opened his grocery store here in 1891. By 2007 the building was leaning a foot-and-a-half to the southeast and had a giant tree growing into the basement. Read the story of the restoration here.

2010:

7up Eat Cafe

2010-07-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

We have ghost sign fan dot to thank for this find. Construction on the building just to the east of the Roseway Theater on NE Sandy at 72nd has revealed this classic old 7up sign. Was the cafe called the Eat Cafe? This sign will soon be enclosed or removed altogether, so see it while you can.

2010:

Goldstar Update

2010-06-14T08:53:00.001-07:00

East Morrison Apartments, 1928

The old Goldstar sign featured last year is no more. Its removal revealed another, unreadable, ghost sign underneath.

2010:

Letson Garage

2010-06-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Letson Garage, 1927

I discovered a very nice old sign this weekend at 8513 N. Syracuse in St. Johns. It has signs on three sides of the building, all perfectly weathered and readable. Very classy.

2010:

Dillen Rogers

2010-02-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Gumbo Gifts & Gallery, 1902

What a wonderful old ghost sign on the north wall of Gumbo Gifts & Gallery. I'd sure like to know what it said across the top but the rest is beautifully weathered and readable:

DILLEN ROGERS
JEWELER & OPTICIAN
Eye Glasses A Specialty!
When you're at N. Mississippi and N. Beech checking this one out, stop in at Amnesia Brewery and hoist a pint on the patio just under the sign.

Rhodes Bake-N-Serv Products

2010-02-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

Northwest Fence & Wire Works Building, 1911

This is another beautiful sign wrapped around the south and west sides of the Northwest Fence & Wire Works Building (see previous post). The company developed Rhodes Bake-N-Serv Bread frozen dough in the late 1950s so this sign is probably half a century old. There's also a painted-over but still legible "Office" sign next to the main doors on the west side.

Check out this fine sign at NE 11th and Flanders and smell the modern-day Franz bread baking as an added bonus.

2010:

Fashion Stables

2010-02-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

Northwest Fence & Wire Works Building, 1911

This is a nice set of ghost signs, fairly weathered and mostly readable except for the windows cut into the wall during building restoration. The center reads:
FASHION STABLES
The Fence Builders
Then on the left side:
... For All Loose
... and Hard Rock
Sand and Gravel Screens
See these beauties at NE 11th and Glisan.

2010:

Franz - Flavor Beyond Compare

2010-01-28T06:44:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-26T07:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-21T07:02:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-14T07:22:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T07:42:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-05T05:06:00.001-08:00

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:

Vintage Portland

2009-12-31T15:16:00.000-08:00

Please come visit my new Vintage Portland site. I'm publishing some great photos of old Portland from the city's archives. Very high quality stuff. Leave comments and tell me what you think!

Unknown

2009-12-29T06:52:00.000-08:00

It's hard to tell what this sign once said. Apparently the front of the building was removed and pushed back during a widening of N. Interstate Avenue some time in the past, destroying part of the sign in the process. The building dates to 1912 and can be seen at N. Interstate and N. Lewis Avenue.

2008:

Columbia I. & S.

2009-12-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

This old factory building carries a sign from a long-gone company. "Columbia Iron & Steel" maybe? "Insulation Sales/Contracting" is visible farther down the wall. It's on the east side of the building at N. Interstate and Tillamook.

2008:

Brooks Showcase & Fixture Co.

2009-12-15T08:20:00.001-08:00

On the same building as my previous post, "BROOKS SHOWCASE & FIXTURE CO." still shows quite well across the top of the south wall. Also visible are traces of other long-forgotten signs, including a repeat of the unknown from my previous post. Removing a bit of foliage would help our hunt.

Over the northwest-facing entrance is,
SHOWCASE
and
FIXTURE CO.
STORE BANK
OFFICE
and
RESTAURANT
FIXTURES"
See it at N. Interstate and Knott.

2008:

Credit Gladly

2009-12-10T06:44:00.000-08:00

This great "CREDIT GLADLY" sign is part of a larger advertisement that is all but completely covered by a modern billboard. Sad. The ad beneath looks to be in fine condition so we can always hold out hope that the building owner respects the sign and one day we'll see it again. Incidentally, the hidden sign is at least partially duplicated on the south side of this building; foliage covers most of it and makes it unreadable too.

This 1890 building is at N. Interstate and Knott, one block north of N. Russell Street.

2008:

Alt Heidelberg Lager Beer

2009-12-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

Smithson-McKay Brothers Block, 1890

A fine old beer advertisement. Apparently in the early 1930s Heidelberg dropped the female figure of Columbia from its advertising in favor of the "Student Prince" image, with beer stein, shown here. They dropped the "Alt" from their name in 1953 so this sign probably originated between the early 30s and 1953.

This sign can be difficult to see, tucked behind its neighboring building on a busy street with few sidewalks. But slow down and look to your left as you approach N. Russell Street heading south on N. Interstate. Stop in at the Widmer Brothers Gasthaus Pub or check out their state-of-the-art craft brewery in this historic neighborhood.

2008:

White Eagle

2009-12-01T06:43:00.001-08:00

White Eagle Cafe & Saloon, 1905

Hard to say how long these signs have been here. The left-hand "White Eagle" and Coca-Cola sign have been in place for many decades. The green "Saloon & Hotel" probably dates to when the McMenamins chain took over the place a quarter century ago.

2009:

Sam Moy & Co.

2009-11-26T07:12:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

"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

2009-11-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-11-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

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:

Repairing - Andy's Auto Service

2009-10-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

Andy's Auto Service, 1945

This is another exception to the "painted building sign" model of this blog, since this is a hanging sign, and neon at one time to boot. But it generally follows my previous post in the garage genre so I'm including it here. This sign of unknown vintage and appropriately rusted Quonset hut (probably WWII surplus since it dates to 1945) sits on NE Hancock between MLK and NE 3rd.

2009:

A.A. Auto Repair Co.

2009-10-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

Tom Black's Garage, 1912

This old garage has had several layers of signage over the years. Its most recent, or at least most visible, on the west wall, is:
A.A.AUTO REPAIR CO.
CHEVROLET SPECIALTY
GARAGE STORAGE
The east wall (lower photo) seems to read:
A.A.AUTO REPAIR CO.
GENERAL AUTOMOBILE PARTS
GARAGE...
Tom Black's Garage now occupies the building on NE Holladay St. between 25th and 25, overlooking I-84.

2008:

Cafe Food

2009-10-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

Building, 1909

Before it was Demetri's Restaurant & Lounge at the corner of West Burnside and SW 17th, it was a cafe of some sort. Demetri's threw a neon sign over part of the old sign on the west wall and painted over the rest.

Demetri's is now gone, and along with it the neon sign, leaving just a remnant of the painted sign. At least that's how it was when Samuel John Klein captured the first photo in July 2009. Even that little bit is gone now; the second photo shows it in October of 2009. Google Street View (bottom) shows how the old Demetri's neon looked.

Thanks to Sam for the use of the revealed "CAFE FOOD" photograph from his The ZehnKatzen Times blog.

2009:

Drink Coca-Cola

2009-10-20T07:02:00.001-07:00

McPeet's Portland Pub, 1928

Originally painted circa 1940, this nice Coca-Cola sign was restored in 1997. See it on the east side of McPeet's Portland Pub at NE 45th and Fremont.

2009:

Forge Dept.

2009-10-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

A nice old rusty industrial hand-painted sign tucked back from the road.
"FORGE DEPT.
??? & UPSET FORGINGS"
NW Nicolai between NW28th and 29th.

2009:

Steel Company

2009-10-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

Pacific Machinery & Tool Steel Co, 1930

This nicely rusted and weathered "STEEL COMPANY - IRON & STEEL PRODUCTS" is on NW St. Helens Rd, just west of NW 35th Ave.

2009:

Tube Forgings

2009-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

Tube Forgings of America

From the corner of NW Front Avenue and NW Kittridge Avenue, you can see this unique painted sign. Nicely weathered, it towers over the Tube Forgings of America plant, this one on the south side and another facing north.

2009:

Reserved - First Baptist Church

2009-10-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is an easy one to miss. Nestled under a billboard, often hidden by parked cars, this old "RESERVED" sign can be found on SW 12th between Salmon and Taylor.

2009:

CFI Update

2009-10-01T08:01:00.001-07:00

Almost a year ago I posted this CFI - Commercial Furnishings Inc. sign that I guessed dated to the 1970s. That sign is now gone, covered by this plastic ad for Chinese sports brand Li Ning Company. CFI goes extinct at NW 10th and Hoyt.

2009:

Kelly's Olympian Update

2009-09-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Page & Son Apartments, 1909

Curious timing on my part. I featured this grand, but new, sign in just my last post. I drove by it over the weekend and discovered it's gone. This one goes in the Extinct pile.

2009:

Kelly's Olympian

2009-09-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

Page & Son Apartments, 1909

Following on the heels of the previous not-so-old sign is this decidedly new sign. I include it here just because I like it. It's hard to miss heading out East Burnside at NE 7th Ave.

2008:

American

2009-09-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

Building, 1907

On the south side of the building featured last time is this sign. While not especially old, it's a striking image and really makes the building stand out in the neighborhood. See it at NE 6th and Couch.

2008:

H.S. Gile Grocery Co.

2009-09-17T06:55:00.001-07:00

Building, 1907

H.S. GILE GROCERY CO.
WHOLESALE GROCERS
This nice old sign can be seen from the corner of NE 6th and Davis.

2008:

Vivian Apts.

2009-09-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

Building, 1911

CLEAN MODERN REASONABLE

The Vivian Apts. building has seen better days, and so has the sign. It was painted over another sign, unreadable now, but another is visible to the right, "MODERN 2 ROOM APARTMENTS."

The building is at NE MLK Blvd and Couch but you can see the sign from Grand Ave.

2008:

Tires & Batteries

2009-09-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

Garage, 1929

This fine old brick garage at NW 18th & Irving still shows a glimpse of its previous life from decades ago.

2009:

Oregon Macaroni Mfg. Co.

2009-09-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

Building, 1911

This is a nice old sign, obviously quite weathered over the years but still very readable. You can see this fine ghost sign at NE 8th and Davis.

2008:

C&J Steel and Salvage

2009-09-03T05:58:00.000-07:00

Building, 1950

This old mid-century concrete garage and its sign have taken a lot of abuse over the decades. It's probably seldom seen since it's in the far reaches of industrial northwest Portland. See it for yourself at NW 21st and York.

2009:

Free Information Center

2009-09-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

Drivers probably saw this sign coming down the old Harbor Drive (now Tom McCall Waterfront Park) in the 1950s, directing city visitors to the John Yeon-designed Portland Visitors Information Center. It's now on a barn in Corbett, just east of Portland. Thanks to Jim for the photo donation!

Circa 1949:
OHS photo file 1871, digital no. bb005748

Unknown Update

2009-08-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

I featured this old sign in January 2008. At the time, I could make out only the top of it from several blocks away. Recently I was able to get this better view of it from the penthouse apartment in the 937 Condominium Building. Unfortunately I'm still unable to ready what it says, other than ending in "Company."

The building is on NW Everett between 6th and Broadway. My vantage point is high above NW 9th and Glisan.

2009:

Gray-McLean Co. Update

2009-08-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I showed this sign from street level, both in 1996 and in 2007 photos. I recently got a chance to see it from one of the Block 90 Condominiums and was able to see much more detail. Turns out "Gray-McLean Co." is actually "Gray McLean & Percy."

I also discovered that the Gray McLean & Percy sign was painted over an even older sign:
MONOPOLE
CANNED
AND GLASS FOODS
2009:
1921 advertisement:
Circa 1910:

Advertising Ephemera Collection - Database #A0530
Emergence of Advertising On-Line Project
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library
http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/eaa/

Automotive Equipment & Tires

2009-08-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

While on the 2009 Street of Dreams tour of the 937 Condominiums in the Pearl District, I was able to get a picture of this sign which is only partially visible from the street. The "CERTAIN-TEED PRODUCTS" (reviewed here) has always been easily visible but from the 16th floor I got a full-on view of:
COMPANY
AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT
& TIRES
The first photo is a closeup of the automotive sign, the second is a wider angle shot of the entire wall. The building is on NW 10th between Flanders and Glisan.

2009:

Details

2009-08-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

These small signs are remnants of the Pearl District's industrial past when NW 13th Ave. had railroad tracks running down it to service the loading docks on both sides of the street.

Oregon Transfer Company Building, Warehouse No. 1, NW 13th at Glisan, 2009:

Prael, Hegele Building, NW 13th between Hoyt and Irving, 2009:

Dale Building, NW 13th between Flanders and Glisan, 2009:

Commission Merchants

2009-08-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

Railway Building, 1872
Scottish Bank Building, 1876

This beautiful sign is inside the Scottish Bank Building and is painted on the adjacent Railway Building looking north.

COMMISSION MERCHANTS
STAPLE GROCERIES AND PRODUCE
FOREIGN & DOMESTIC
The two buildings were lovingly refurbished by the Leuthold family in 1993. Thanks to Jerry Ketel for sending this photo.

Centennial Mills

2009-07-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

Warehouse C, 1940

Originally built on this site as Crown Mills, The Centennial Mills complex was begun in 1910. Buildings were added over the years and Warehouse C, built in 1940, was the last to be constucted. Warehouse C was rammed by the grain ship Aegean Mariner in 1965, just about where the left half of the sign sits. The sign probably dates to then, as significant dock and building repairs were needed.

This can best be seen from the Willamette River between the Broadway and Fremont Bridges.

2009:

Sewickly's Home Plate Details

2009-07-28T06:43:00.000-07:00

Someone recently attempted a "restoration" of the address at Sewickly's Home Plate/Sewickly Addition. It was an unfortunate attempt, in my opinion. The quicky stencil-and-spray-can job covered up what was probably a hand painted job from decades ago. The building itself dates to 1922.

See for yourself at SE 49th and Hawthorne.

2009:

Dewar's Update

2009-07-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Last December I posted photos of three new "old" Dewar's Scotch Whisky ads in three locations around town. Apparently that ad campaign is over because the three signs are now completely gone. Put these in the Extinct pile.

West Burnside at SW 3rd:
SW 3rd and Ankeny, behind Dante's:
SE 49th and Hawthorne, at Mt. Tabor Legacy:

Truck Entrance

2009-07-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

Building, 1923

Coming on the heels of last week's indoor, auto-themed signs at Powell's, here's another nice one back over in the CEID. I happened to be driving by the Knight Toolworks basement entrance while the roll-up door was open and spied this old "TRUCK ENTRANCE" painted on the overhead beam. Notice the creative "CLERANCE" spelling.

Your timing will have to be right to see this. It's on the corner of SE 3rd and Main.

2009:

Powell's Update

2009-07-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

Powell's Books, 1918

After some damage repair to the roof at Powell's City of Books exposed some old signs on a couple roof beams (noted here and here), they've finally completed work. Fortunately, they've left the signs, dating to when this housed a car dealership, intact. The "Parts Dept." sign even has a nifty little finger pointing downward.

Powell's City of Books is at NW 10th and Burnside. The beams are in the Blue Room and if you stand on the stairs between the Blue and Yellow Rooms you can see both signs.

2009:

Crane Display Room

2009-07-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

The Crane Building, 1909

I first covered the Crane Building and its external sign almost two years ago. This recently found beauty is a remnant of when the Crane Company manufactured railing, piping and plumbing fixtures. You can see it inside the Lizard Lounge clothing/art/music store on the building's first floor at NW 14th and Irving.

2009:

Tool Shed

2009-07-09T07:16:00.000-07:00

Building, 1949

This unique sign is painted on the roof, rather than the wall. Now home to Ted's Tool Shed, it once advertised, "???IN BOYS' TOOL SHED." It's in the process of being roofed over and will disappear forever one of these days.

See it at SE 88th and Powell while you still can.

2009:

Green Dragon

2009-07-07T07:29:00.001-07:00

Followers of this website know that I occasionally throw in a modern building sign, straying far from the site's "ghost sign" origins. I do it here simply because this is a pretty neat sign, covering a large portion of the building. The building in this case is an old quonset hut. Now part of the Green Dragon Bistro & Brewpub, this building's previous incarnation sported its own unique hand-painted QHUT sign (bottom) which still stands.

Stop by SE 9th and Belmont and hoist a brew for your troubles.

2009:

Samtrak

2009-07-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

This was a pleasant little hand-painted surprise I found across the street from the Oaks Park entrance. Samtrak was a small tourist railroad that ran between OMSI and SE Spokane Street near the Sellwood Bridge with this stop at Oaks Park. The train ran between 1993 and 2001. Here's more information about it.

Next time you go to Oaks Park, take a look to your right as you turn into the main entrance to the parking lot.

2009:

Oaks Rink

2009-06-30T06:22:00.000-07:00

Oaks Rink, 1905

This is a beautiful old sign. It's probably been updated and maintained in the last 100 years but it certainly has that old-time feel. Visit Oaks Park on the east side of the Willamette river just north of the Sellwood Bridge to see this classic.

2009:

Goldstar

2009-06-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

East Morrison Apartments, 1928

While certainly not the oldest sign around, I've decided to include this since it has such a nice aura of decrepitude about it. It's on the corner of SE 8th and Morrison.

2009:

Empire Rubber & Supply Update

2009-06-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

As noted several weeks ago, Empire Rubber & Supply suffered a fire. As a part of the restoration process, they gave the building a spiffy new paint job. They've finally painted in their new sign on the west wall, but the old sign on the north wall, over the small side door, appears to be a part of history.

2009:

East Side Central Garage

2009-06-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

1921

This sign may date back to the building's origins.
EAST SIDE CENTRAL GARAGE
STORAGE
Underneath that, barely visible now, in huge letters is
OLDS
Below that was a Union Jack, now painted over in white. This building has probably always been automotive-related. It still holds a detail shop and a car repair business. It's on the corner of SE 6th and Taylor. This sign is on the north wall.

2009:

Theater

2009-06-11T06:45:00.000-07:00

Bob White Theater, 1924

"THEATER" is all that remains on the top of the west wall, along with "THEATER PARKING IN REAR" down below. Once a very ornate theater, it degraded to showing adult films in the early 1980s. It's now a private residence. Apparently the owner bought and installed a giant 4/36 Robert Morton - Wurlitzer organ from the old San Francisco Orpheum Theater.

This theater is located at SE 64th and Foster.

2009:

East Morrison Apts.

2009-06-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

East Morrison Apartments, 1928

I suspect "EAST MORRISON APTS." along the top is restored since it so crisp and bold. Below that is a pretty neat, original ghost sign:

PROFESSIONAL
PAINTING PAYS!
and to the right of that is a logo:
MEMBER OF
PAINTING
AND
DECORATING
CONTRACTORS
of AMERICA
The PDCA is still around, by the way. See this nice sign at SE 7th and Morrison.

2009:

Trim & Upholstery Supplies

2009-06-04T06:46:00.000-07:00

Yale Union Laundry Building, 1908

This small sign, painted on metal, is on the west wall of the Yale Union Laundry Building and is probably a remnant of its use as the Perfect Fit - McDonald, Inc. headquarters.

I've added photos of a few other interesting details of the building. It's worth a trip over to SE 10th and Belmont to take a look.

2009:

Perfect Fit - McDonald, Inc.

2009-06-02T07:11:00.000-07:00

Yale Union Laundry Building, 1908

Perfect Fit Manufacturing and McDonald & Company merged under the Perfect Fit-McDonald name in 1980; I'd guess this sign dates from then. They have since moved from this building so I suspect the sign will disappear once the owners find new tenants. It's visible on SE Morrison between 10th and 11th.

2009:

Hippo Hardware

2009-05-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

Hippo Hardware Store, 1921

Hippo Hardware has carried these signs since 1976. The most striking part of the display is the crowned and toga-ed hippos on pedestals adorning the six curbside columns. Hippo Hardware is on the corner of SE 11th and Burnside.

2009:

Rebel SK8s

2009-05-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

Building: 1950

This sign is obviously way out of the normal for the type I chronicle here. Two reasons: 1) I like it for its color, attitude and home-made quality. And 2) I'm lazy after a long Memorial day weekend. Enjoy this yourself at SE Ankeny at Sandy.

2009:

Cromwell Tailors

2009-05-21T07:01:00.000-07:00

Hippo Hardware Store Building, 1921

The back of the Hippo Hardware store at SE 11th and Burnside has this nice old sign. The top line is pretty sketchy but it's something like,

??? Tailored
Clothing
CROMWELL
TAILORS
The view is obscured by trees on SE 11th, so go down to SE 10th and Ankeny to see this sign.

2009:

Loans

2009-05-19T08:13:00.001-07:00

1931

There's very little of this "MORTGAGE LOANS" sign left to see. Most painted signs just fade into obscurity; this one is peeling off. I wouldn't give it too many years to be even this visible. The top photo is the best view of the sign, from the adjoining parking lot. The bottom photo is the sidewalk view. More ascetically pleasing but mostly obscured by trees.

This is on the east wall of the Old Wives' Tales restaurant at SE 13th and Burnside.

2009:

Balzer Machinery Co.

2009-05-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

By the looks of the script, this sign looks like it may date back to the 1970s. It's degrading nicely and the original orange paint has a nice rust-like look about it. This is on the north side of the building; there's another similar one on the south side. See it from SE 8th and Lincoln.

2009:

Miller's Truck Parts & Equipment Co.

2009-05-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

1937

This still-colorful sign on the back of the Portland Engine Rebuilders shop has at least two layers. I can't read the yellow-lettered lower layer but the top white letters are still quite visible

MILLER'S TRUCK PARTS & EQUIPMENT CO.
TRUCK PARTS - TIRES
The building is at SE 10th and Hawthorne; the sign is best seen from Madison.

2009:

Empire Rubber & Supply

2009-05-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

Part of the Empire Rubber & Supply Co. complex at SE Water & Taylor suffered a fire in September 2008. During the ongoing restoration process most of the building has been repainted and the old signs on the west and north have not been restored. The east wall, facing the railroad tracks, has not been repainted and the old sign still remains.

For now this will go into the Extinct category. We'll see if all the signs reappear in the near future. Stay tuned...

2007 (west wall):
2009 (west wall):
2007 (north wall):
2009 (north wall):
2007 (east wall):
2009 (east wall):

Salesroom 2nd & Taylor

2009-05-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Chas. H. Lilly Co. Building, 1911

The back side of the Chas. H. Lilly Co. building featured earlier has one more sign, this one on the west facing wall. It's below the all-too-obvious "CITY SIGN CO." at the top.

"SALESROOM ??? 2nd & TAYLOR" can be made out fairly easily. If you can read the word after Salesroom, let me know. You can see if from SE 2nd between Oak and Ash.

2009:

Fisher's, Part 4

2009-04-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-23T06:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-04-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

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: