PDXme

A sign in Chinatown has seen its better days.

Notwithstanding the lack of “naughty neon” signs in this post, I’m quite the fan of old-time neon signs. They provide history and nostalgia above and beyond the ubiquitous “open” signs that now liter modern retail.

Facing South on NW Third towards Couch.

What gets me excited upon seeing one these gems is that they continue to catch attention. The signage of today’s stores barely pass muster. I cannot tell you how fed up I am with recessed lighting and fluorescent cover-ups. It’s just not the same.

So I’ve done some exploring in and around Portland over the past two years since my last posts, and here are some that I’ve come across.

The stories behind these signs are as varied are they are lit. Indeed, some have continued to stick around, restored and maintained to their former glory. Others not so much.

Signs like these, that instill a sense of place and past in people, don’t come without their own controversies. Recently as seen in the recent “Made in Oregon” debacle, people don’t like change when it comes to these visual icons.

Jennifer Anderson, a reporter from the Portland Tribune contacted me a while back regarding the proposed name change from “Made in Oregon” to “University of Oregon.” I had created a Facebook group titled “Keep the ‘Made in Oregon’ sign the way it is!” to combat the dictatorial U of O President Frohnmayer from calling the shots in Portland.

The issue has sparked broad interest in the community, as evidenced in part by two Facebook pages that have formed in opposition. One “keep the sign the way it is” page gathered more than 2,200 members in just a week; the other attracted more than 21,000 people of like-minded sentiment since it was created on Feb. 20.

The keepers of the Facebook pages — a 20-year-old University of Oregon student and a Portland State University adjunct professor in his 30s — are encouraging people to testify at the landmarks commission hearing in person or in writing.

The "Made in Oregon" sign to date, photo by the Oregonian.

"Made in Oregon" sign compromise. From Commissioner Randy Leonard.

The City of Portland and the University of Oregon came to agreement that “Oregon” would be a suitable title for the sign. I think that it was fortunate that we were able to stave off U of O’s excessive corporatism, but we’ll leave that for another post.

The practicality of neon messages is always intriguing Even if their items have since past their days of high fashion, their insistence on showcasing their wares keeps the dream alive.

Taken by Patrick Dirden.

Of course, one must not forget the instigator the “Go by” motif. Portland’s Union Station added it’s “Go by Train” signage shortly after World War II, according to Wikipedia.

Let’s not forget the gem that continues to evoke city-pride, the Portland Sign at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Theater on Broadway.

As a side note, John Becker Photography has some great high-resolution photos on these idyllic eye-catchers. I’ll leave his shots for the masses.

Neon signs in Portland are icons that we should cherish. And with a rapidly changing cityscape they continue to hold down the port of our past. Here’s to the port of the future! May it be more prosperous and beautiful than ever before!

A Chinatown gem.

Oregon Leather Company at NW 2nd & Couch.

The Portland Outdoor Store at SW 3rd and Oak.

Vintage photo of Union Station from Doug Kroll.

The defining Portland sign on SW Broadway - check out the reflections!