Tony's Town & Country Clothing (Demolished)
The Dalle,s OR
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

For years, Tony's Town & Country Clothing was a familiar stop in The Dalles for anyone needing a new pair of boots, work clothes, or western wear. The vintage rooftop sign helped make the store easy to spot as travelers passed through town. Photo courtesy Tony Craig.

The family business opened in 1965 and moved into this historic downtown building in the late 1970s. Inside, shoppers found everything from jeans and hats to work gear for local ranchers, railroad employees, and others who depended on durable clothing. The sign fit the business perfectly, with bold lettering that looked right at home above the old brick storefront.

Like many longtime independent clothing stores, Tony's became part of the community. Whether you stopped in to buy a new pair of boots or simply admired the old sign from the street, it was one of those places that gave downtown The Dalles a little extra character.

UPDATE: Tony's Town & Country Clothing closed in 2016 after more than 50 years in business. The historic building was demolished in late 2023, and the rooftop sign was removed before demolition. Today the site is a vacant lot awaiting redevelopment. 07-26

American Building Maintenance Co. (Gone)
Tacoma, WA
Photo courtesy Lauren Freeland

The tall American Building Maintenance Co. sign certainly stood out along the street in Tacoma. While the company name caught your attention, it was the unusual roadside character near the bottom of the sign that made people take a second look. Photo courtesy Lauren Freeland.

ABM, originally known as American Building Maintenance, has been providing janitorial and facility services since 1909. Like many businesses of the era, it used a large roadside sign to advertise its presence. The towering marquee and friendly character gave the property a little more personality than you might expect from a maintenance company, proving that even industrial businesses weren't afraid to have a little fun with their advertising.

Today, signs like this are becoming increasingly rare as older commercial properties give way to newer buildings and simpler corporate branding. It's the kind of sign that added character to an ordinary street and was much more memorable than the standard logo seen today.

UPDATE: The original Tacoma location has since been redeveloped or significantly altered, and the distinctive roadside sign has been removed. ABM continues operating in the Tacoma area from newer facilities. 07-26

Food Mart (Gone)
Hazel Dell, WA
Photo courtesy Jeff Raber

The giant Food Mart sign was hard to miss along Highway 99 in Hazel Dell. Topped with a bright neon "SAVE!" and standing high above the road, it was built to catch the eye of passing motorists long before today's oversized supermarket logos took over. Photo courtesy Jeff Raber.

Food Mart was one of the longtime neighborhood grocery stores that served Hazel Dell when Highway 99 was the area's main commercial strip. Its tall roadside sign fit right in with the motels, restaurants, and other businesses that once lined the highway. Even if you weren't stopping for groceries, the colorful neon marquee was worth a glance as you drove by.

The giant "SAVE!" lettering gave the sign a little extra flair and made it one of those classic supermarket displays that have nearly disappeared. Signs like this were designed to stand out from a distance, inviting travelers to pull in for a few groceries before continuing down the road.

UPDATE: The Food Mart grocery store has since closed, and the building was demolished during redevelopment of the property. The familiar neon sign was removed, and the site is now home to a modern shopping center. 07-26

Willoughby Hearing Aids (Gone)
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Jeff Raber

The Willoughby Hearing Aids sign has been watching over Southeast 82nd Avenue for decades. Perched high above the roof on a steel framework, the flowing script lettering makes it one of those signs that's hard to miss as you drive by. Photo courtesy Jeff Raber.

Willoughby Hearing Aid Center was founded in 1948 and became a familiar name throughout Oregon and Washington. Its Portland location featured one of the more distinctive rooftop signs in the city, combining elegant script with bold block lettering in a style that was popular during the heyday of roadside advertising.

While many businesses have replaced old signs with modern logos, this one has managed to survive. Even though the hearing aid business has long since moved to a newer location, the rooftop sign remains where it has always been, adding a touch of mid-century character to the busy 82nd Avenue corridor.

UPDATE: Willoughby Hearing Centers relocated from this building several years ago, but the landmark rooftop sign may still be in place above the former office. The building has since been repurposed for another business. 07-26

Bambi Mobile Park (Rem.)
Sutherlin, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Bambi Mobile Park sign added a little whimsy to the drive through Sutherlin. Topped with a painted image of Bambi, it was one of those roadside signs that couldn't help but make you smile. 09-05

Like many small businesses of the era, the park borrowed a familiar cartoon character to catch the attention of passing motorists. Whether you were looking for a place to stay or just driving by, the little deer perched above the sign made this one easy to remember. It was a fun reminder of a time when roadside advertising wasn't afraid to have a little personality.

UPDATE: Bambi Mobile Park remains open today, but the original sign has changed considerably. The familiar Bambi cutout and vintage sign were removed, although the original support structure still stands with a modern replacement sign. 07-26