Union Station
Portland, OR Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Long before Portland's skyline filled in around it, the clock tower at Union Station was already welcoming travelers to the city. The giant neon "Go By Train" sign has become one of Portland's best-known landmarks, and it's hard to imagine the station without it. 03-06
Union Station opened on February 14, 1896, making it the oldest major passenger railroad station still operating on the West Coast. The familiar neon lettering wasn't added until 1948, but today it's every bit as recognizable as the clock tower itself.
Whether you're arriving by train or simply passing through downtown, it's one of those classic sights that always seems to say you're in Portland.
UPDATE: Union Station continues serving Amtrak passengers, and the famous "Go By Train" neon still lights the clock tower. 07-26
St Johns Bridge
OR Photos courtesy
Jeff Raber
Here's a couple of photos of St Johns Bridge (currently
under renovation). This is a beautiful Gothic suspension bridge, one of
the longest in the country. Many thanks to Jeff Raber for info.
The bridge opened on June 13, 1931, with its dedication timed to coincide with Portland’s Rose Festival. Designed by engineer David B. Steinman, it replaced the ferry between St. Johns and Linnton. Its main suspension span measures 1,207 feet, and the towers rise roughly 400 feet above the river, giving ships plenty of room below.
Steinman considered St. Johns a personal favorite among his many bridge designs. The green finish was chosen to complement the surrounding trees, helping the enormous structure fit its setting. From Cathedral Park beneath the east end, you get an especially good look at the graceful arches and the engineering holding all that roadway overhead.
St Johns Bridge
OR Photos courtesy
Jeff Raber
UPDATE: The St. Johns Bridge continues carrying traffic across the Willamette. A major rehabilitation completed in 2005 helped preserve its distinctive appearance and structure. More than ninety years after opening, it remains one of those landmarks where the view from beneath can be just as impressive as the trip across. 07-26
Labor Temple
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Gorb70
The bright neon letters are what first caught my eye at the Labor Temple. Mounted above a streamlined Art Deco facade, they give this old Seattle building a look that's hard to miss, especially after dark. 03-06
Completed in 1942, the Labor Temple became the headquarters for Seattle's labor movement and remained an important gathering place for decades. Later additions expanded the building, but the clean mid-century lines and glowing rooftop sign continued to define its appearance.
UPDATE: The building has been restored and now serves as offices, meeting space, and a co-working hub. The famous rooftop sign remains, now spelling "Labour Temple." 07-26
Pacific Central Station
Vancouver B.C. Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The rooftop neon at Pacific Central Station gives arriving Vancouver travelers a welcome worth looking up for. Those enormous letters make the terminal easy to recognize after dark, adding another attraction to a building that already deserves a photograph. 03-06
Completed in 1919, the station was designed by Pratt & Ross with the grand entrance and decorative details expected of a major railway terminal. A later restoration repaired the masonry, windows, and roof while also giving the familiar neon sign some attention.
UPDATE: Pacific Central remains an active transportation terminal, serving VIA Rail and Amtrak passengers as well as bus travelers. More than a century after opening, it’s still a place where a glowing sign announces the beginning or end of a long trip. 07-26
Old City Hall
Tacoma, WA Photo courtesy Gorb70
The clock tower at Old City Hall has been giving Tacoma residents a reason to look up since 1893. Brick walls, arched windows, and that unmistakable tower make this one of downtown’s easiest landmarks to recognize. You don’t have to be conducting city business to appreciate the building. 02-07
Municipal offices eventually moved elsewhere, and the old hall passed through other uses before years of vacancy put its future in doubt. Its latest restoration is bringing commercial space back into the building, with additional uses planned for later phases.
UPDATE: Old City Hall began its phased reopening in 2026 as tenants prepared to move into restored commercial floors. Plans also include dining, retail, residential, and event spaces. It’s encouraging to see activity returning beneath a clock tower that has watched over Tacoma for more than 130 years. 07-26
St Johns Bridge
St Johns Bridge
Labor Temple
Pacific Central Station
Old City Hall
