Portland Jan 25, 2011 at 2:12 pm

The Nine Most Beautiful Signs in Portland.

Sarah Mirk
Back to article

Comments

1
Sheridan Fruit Company:
http://burgersdogspizza.com/wp-content/upl…

Kelly's Olympian:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm…

($8239f8h248cerfehjf23@&*@ebdjhb23f237OCDBO#BD*(# on January 25, 2011 at 2:19 PM Report this
2
How about this one? (A certain Southeast Milwaukie Avenue music venue/theater.) http://www.flickr.com/photos/65086482@N00/…
Brian Libby on January 25, 2011 at 2:22 PM Report this
3
Jim Fisher Volvo sign
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doubledale38/…
don arambula on January 25, 2011 at 2:37 PM Report this
4
I saw "Stargate" at the cinema on 82nd before it was a fundy church for Ukrainians when I was 14.
TageSavage on January 25, 2011 at 2:50 PM Report this
5
I've always felt a fondness for The Alibi's sign
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadsi…

However, my all time favorite is the Otto Heet sign located just outside of Eugene
http://www.flickr.com/photos/springfieldho…
A flaming mascot wins me over everytime... maybe I'd like the Timbers mascot if he was on fire too.
MonkeyBeat on January 25, 2011 at 2:51 PM Report this
6
This takes me back to growing up in the Hollywood district... gone now...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oybay/9420459…
citizn00 on January 25, 2011 at 2:52 PM Report this
7
Yes on that old 7Up sign.

I can't find a good picture of it, but another great, gone sing was Eat Now at Waddle's

http://media.katu.com/images/100817_waddle…

It was just before the bridge to Vancouver. The sign now, sadly, advertises a Hooters.
Joe Streckert on January 25, 2011 at 3:09 PM Report this
8
Nite Hawk! http://www.flickr.com/photos/fat_hobo/4944…
Secret Agent Emily on January 25, 2011 at 3:13 PM Report this
9
http://multifamilyexecutive.com/Images/MFE…

At night this sign is pretty slick/nonflashy.
on January 25, 2011 at 3:16 PM Report this
10
Remember how we both took the same exact shot of that BOWLING sign on the same night?
Stefan Kamph on January 25, 2011 at 3:16 PM Report this
11
One for the men! We see it quite often, but we'd miss it if it was gone...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddmecklem/4…
Todd Mecklem on January 25, 2011 at 3:16 PM Report this
12
And don't forget this one ... the amazing interplay of red and yellow ... shouting "COME IN! ANYTHING GOES!" ... (or so I've heard.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddmecklem/4…
Todd Mecklem on January 25, 2011 at 3:20 PM Report this
13
http://image.pegs.com/content/H/H4S/H4SM/H…
TSW on January 25, 2011 at 3:24 PM Report this
14
Virginia Cafe (pre-move): http://bit.ly/fxlSbl
LewPDX on January 25, 2011 at 3:37 PM Report this
15
Wentworth Chevytown and the United Finance sign over by MLK and Burnside! C'mon people!

Though I've always been fond of the "ish rotto", whatever that is.
Samuel John Klein on January 25, 2011 at 3:46 PM Report this
16
@Stefan - yes! Though I think it was maybe on different nights. I was going to ask if you still had that photo, but then I finally dug mine up.
s.mirk on January 25, 2011 at 3:52 PM Report this
17
Best thread ever. What awesome signs!

Surprised no one else mentioned Corno's Foods?
http://www.portlandground.com/buckman/2005…
Reymont on January 25, 2011 at 5:12 PM Report this
18
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OQwhlzKDCko/SOE6…
TSW on January 25, 2011 at 5:29 PM Report this
19
The sign that defines the bar, not the other way. The Vern:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19652798@N00/…
dolby on January 25, 2011 at 6:38 PM Report this
20
Although the same sign that just reads 'Tavern' also adorns the Bottoms Up Tavern in Burlington.

...Which I can't find a picture of.
on January 25, 2011 at 6:57 PM Report this
21
Well outside Portland and long gone...

The T&R Restaurant neon sign in Albany.

Scroll down for picture

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=8…
Rainfollower on January 25, 2011 at 7:37 PM Report this
22
Ewww, Original Hot Cake House is so gross... But the sign is so attractive.
Chris Freeman on January 25, 2011 at 7:38 PM Report this
23
I love me a kitschy sign...and I love Portland for doing such a great job at preserving them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/Pre…
CP on January 25, 2011 at 8:41 PM Report this
24
dancing bear/bare! http://www.flickr.com/photos/radiokate/535…
mele on January 25, 2011 at 10:01 PM Report this
25
Is that White Satin sign on Lombard still around? didn't see it last time I passed through.
Chunty McHutchence on January 25, 2011 at 10:09 PM Report this
26
I just wanna say how col you all are for posting so many AMAZING pics...God I love this place.
El Stunto on January 25, 2011 at 10:14 PM Report this
27
Yes, Chunty. But even better than that:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/richbachelor/…

That rotten little shit has his filthy fucking paw in my bag of sugar!
on January 25, 2011 at 10:52 PM Report this
28
Though "The" "Vern" has kind of lost the logic to call itself that, in as much as the neon that spelt out VERN is now also kaput, so it's just a dumb joke now.

"Hannigan's Tavern" needs to either get a properly damaged sign or go back to its old name. If you can't maintain a sign correctly … I mean, sheesh. This is Portland. We don't stand on artifice here!

Oh, wait. We do?

Alright then. Never mind!
Samuel John Klein on January 26, 2011 at 4:04 AM Report this
29
There was a sign that actually read "Hannigan's" on the eastern face of the building for quite some time, but I think it went away during the era where they redid the inside and attempted to make the structure a bit less sketchy.
on January 26, 2011 at 9:00 AM Report this

Please wait...

Comments are closed.

Commenting on this item is available only to members of the site. You can sign in here or create an account here.


Add a comment
Preview
Posted by (your name here)

By posting this comment, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use.

Editors' Picks

Hundreds of Critical Portland Operations Workers on Strike After Mediation Fails
POP QUIZ PDX: Robots... Cops... and ROBOT COPS! 🤖
Police Oversight Group Will Ask Council to Adopt Controversial Gunshot-Detecting Technology
Multnomah County District Attorney Announces “Immigration Neutral” Prosecution Policies
A Tenant Enrolled in a City Affordable Housing Program Just Received a 50 Percent Rent Increase. How is That Possible?
POP QUIZ PDX: Unholy Trivia About Problematic Pastors, Happy Atheists, and Lots of Religious Shenanigans!
Portland Mercury
is a proud member of the media network
Masthead Ad Info & Rates Jobs at Portland Mercury Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Use Takedown Policy
Support Portland Mercury
All contents © Index Newspapers LLC
PO Box 86208, Portland, OR 97286