Hiatus

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.

Portland Ice Cream Co. Update

Last year the shop at SE Hawthorne & 42nd Avenue began renovations and uncovered some old Portland Ice Cream Co. signs. Shortly after that Ray Taylor sent this image of the original signage from years ago. Oddly, the photo was stuck to the inside of the glass as I took my photo, I completely missed it. Thanks, Ray, for being more observant than I (and sorry for the delay in posting it).

4124 N. Miss Ave Update

The two little hand-painted tin address signs embedded it the retaining wall at 4124 N. Missippi Ave were among the most quaint and personal signs we've seen on this blog. Unfortunately they are now gone, haphazardly painted over with a spray can and oak leaf stencil. Sadly, these go into the extinct pile.

2012:

Portland Ice Cream Co.

Several generations of ice cream signs were recently uncovered on the corner of SE Hawthorne & 42nd Ave. A building renovation removed the old wood "modernization" paneling to reveal these beauties. Portland Ice Cream Co. was mentioned several times in The Oregonian from the 1940s and 1950s. These signs are likely to disappear again soon. Thanks to Ray Taylor for alerting me to this find.

2012:

Supply Appliances Parts & Service

This old sign was recently uncovered when a newer billboard was removed from in front of the wall. I'd been by this building on NW Glisan between 17th & 18th many times so I was suprised to find this gem. Age in unknown, maybe the 1950s?

2012:

RC Cola/7up

These two old signs have probably been around since the 1970s or so. They are on the backside of the Portland Bottling Co. at NE 12th and Davis. You'll have to go around the back side and onto Buckman Field to see these signs.

2012:

Sibert's Body Shop

I happened across this old Sibert's Body Shop sign on the back of a building at NE MLK and Going Street. It dates to the 1970s or so I'd guess.

2011:

Smith Teas

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:

Samtrak

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

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

2011:

Padrow's Prescription Pharmacy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.