Denim Den (Gone)
Grants Pass, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

If you were looking for a new pair of jeans, the Denim Den sign pointed the way. Bright, colorful, and easy to spot, it was the kind of roadside sign that made you think there might be a good find waiting inside. 09-05

For years, Denim Den was a familiar stop in downtown Grants Pass for Levi's, western wear, and other casual clothing. The store fit right in with the independent shops that once lined 6th Street, when downtown was filled with locally owned businesses instead of national chains.

The colorful sign was every bit as inviting as the store itself. It didn't need flashing lights or fancy animation to get your attention. Its bold colors and simple design were enough to stand out among the storefronts and let passing motorists know exactly where to find a new pair of jeans.

Like many small clothing stores, Denim Den eventually gave way to changing shopping habits. Still, for those who remember it, the sign remains a reminder of the days when buying a pair of Levi's meant a trip downtown instead of a stop at the mall or a few clicks online.

UPDATE: Denim Den has closed, and the colorful roadside sign has been removed. The storefront has since been repurposed as downtown Grants Pass continues to evolve. 07-26

Blue Ribbon Shoe Service (Gone)
Grants Pass, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

There was a time when every town seemed to have a neighborhood shoe repair shop, and Blue Ribbon Shoe Service was one of Grants Pass' reminders of that era. Better yet, it had a neon sign that was just as memorable as the business itself. 09-05

Hanging outside the shop was a wonderful animated sign featuring the outline of a shoe and a neon cobbler's hammer that appeared to tap away at it. Originally built in 1949 for a shoe repair shop in nearby Roseburg, the sign later found its way to Grants Pass in 1995, where it was restored and given a new coat of blue paint to match its new home.

As more people replaced worn shoes instead of repairing them, neighborhood cobblers gradually became harder to find. That made this sign even more special. It wasn't just advertising a business, it represented a trade that had nearly disappeared from many downtowns.

UPDATE: Blue Ribbon Shoe Service closed around 2018, and the animated neon sign was removed shortly afterward. One of Southern Oregon's most distinctive shoe repair signs is no longer part of the Grants Pass streetscape. 07-26

It's The Climate
Grants Pass, OR
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Few signs are as closely tied to a town as the "It's The Climate" arch in Grants Pass. Hanging above 6th Street, it has welcomed visitors for generations and remains one of the city's best-known landmarks. 03-06

The slogan dates back to 1919, when local boosters decided the area's mild weather was worth advertising. An arch soon followed, stretching across the street and greeting motorists traveling old Highway 99 through downtown. Although the original sign disappeared years ago, a faithful replica was installed in 1977, bringing the familiar landmark back to its historic location.

Unlike many welcome signs, this one became part of the town's identity. Locals proudly embraced the slogan, and travelers passing beneath the arch knew they had arrived in Grants Pass. It remains one of the few surviving downtown gateway signs from the Highway 99 era, recalling a time when communities competed to welcome motorists with memorable roadside attractions.

UPDATE: The "It's The Climate" arch continues to span 6th Street in downtown Grants Pass. While the current structure is a 1977 replica of the original 1920 landmark, it remains one of Southern Oregon's most recognizable roadside icons. 07-26

IOOF (Gone)
Cottage Grove, OR
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Time had certainly taken its toll on the old IOOF sign in Cottage Grove, but even in its faded condition it still hinted at the building's long history. Hanging above the sidewalk, it was one of those details that rewarded anyone who took the time to look up. 03-06

The building has stood on Main Street since 1903, when it was constructed for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Like many lodge buildings across America, the ground floor housed businesses while the meeting hall occupied the upper floor. The projecting sign, complete with the familiar three-link emblem representing Friendship, Love, and Truth, served as a reminder of the important role fraternal organizations once played in communities large and small.

By the time this photo was taken, the sign had already seen better days. Its faded paint and weathered appearance only added to its character, making it feel like a survivor from another era. It was the kind of sign that fit perfectly among Cottage Grove's collection of historic downtown buildings.

UPDATE: The IOOF Building still stands as part of Cottage Grove's historic downtown district, but the old projecting lodge sign has since been removed during building improvements. 07-26

Roseburg Bookstore (Gone)
Roseburg, OR
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Sometimes the most interesting signs are the ones that have faded almost beyond recognition. The old Roseburg Bookstore sign had plenty of years behind it when this photo was taken, but it still managed to catch your eye from down the street. The weathered paint and aging neon gave it the kind of character that only comes with time. 03-06

The bookstore had been a Roseburg fixture since 1911, serving generations of readers before closing in 2010. By then, the old sign had become just as memorable as the business itself.

UPDATE: The bookstore has closed, and the faded roadside sign was removed after the business shut down. A new bookstore now occupies the building, but the old sign is no longer there. 07-26

Shirleen Trailer Park
Medford, OR
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Shirleen Trailer Park sign has welcomed residents and visitors along North Riverside Avenue for decades. Standing high above the entrance, it's the kind of roadside sign that recalls the days when trailer parks proudly advertised themselves to travelers making their way along old Highway 99. 03-06

Back then, signs like this were a common sight throughout the Northwest. Every park seemed to have its own distinctive entrance, hoping to catch the eye of motorists looking for a place to stay or, in later years, a place to call home. The Shirleen sign is a nice survivor from that era, with a design that's simple, easy to read, and unmistakably mid-century.

While many older trailer parks have disappeared as land has been redeveloped, Shirleen has continued serving the community. Its vintage sign remains a familiar landmark on Riverside Avenue and a reminder of a time when the roadside was filled with independently owned trailer courts, motels, and motor lodges.

UPDATE: Shirleen Trailer Park remains open today as a senior mobile home community, and its classic entrance sign still stands along North Riverside Avenue. 07-26