Diver Sign (Gone)
Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland

The High Dive sign was a fun addition to Seattle's Fremont neighborhood. The silhouette of a diving woman looked like it was made for neon, making it hard to miss after dark. 08-09

The sign hung outside the High Dive, a popular neighborhood music venue where countless local and touring bands took the stage over the years. Although much newer than many of the vintage signs featured here, it had plenty of roadside character and fit right in with Fremont's quirky personality.

Its simple outline gave the sign a clean, classic look. Sometimes it doesn't take a lot of detail to create something memorable, and this was one of those signs that people often remembered long after driving by.

UPDATE: The High Dive closed in 2025, and the diving lady sign was removed when the building became home to a new business. Its current whereabouts are unknown. 07-26

Portland Outdoor Store
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

The Portland Outdoor Store has been outfitting Oregonians for generations, and its tall neon sign has become a familiar sight in downtown Portland. Rising above the corner, it's one of those signs that's easy to spot from blocks away. 06-10

The family-owned business dates back to 1919 and has called this corner home since the 1920s. Whether you're looking for work clothes, boots, camping gear, or outdoor equipment, chances are you'll find it here.

Installed in 1946, the vertical neon sign has become as much a landmark as the store itself. It has watched downtown Portland change over the decades while continuing to welcome shoppers through the front door.

UPDATE: Portland Outdoor Store remains family owned and in business, and its classic neon sign continues to brighten the downtown streetscape. 07-26

Oregon Leather Company
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

Here's another blade neon sign from back in the day. The Oregon Leather Company in Portland, OR has an old faded out sign, though the letters may or may not be working after all of these years. 06-10

The Oregon Leather Company sign looks like it has a story or two to tell. Hanging high above the corner in Portland's Old Town district, the faded blade sign has been watching the neighborhood change for decades.

The family-owned business has been supplying leather, tools, and hardware since 1908, making it a favorite stop for leatherworkers, saddle makers, and shoe repair shops throughout the Northwest.

For years the old neon sign sat dark, giving the impression that its best days were behind it. Then, in 2011, it received an unexpected second chance when it was restored for the filming of the television series Grimm. Today the vintage blade sign once again adds a splash of neon to one of Portland's oldest commercial districts.

UPDATE: Oregon Leather Company remains in business, although its Portland showroom currently has limited public access during building renovations. The restored neon blade sign still hangs above the corner. 07-26

University Seafood and Poultry Co.
Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

The University Seafood & Poultry Co. sign was a familiar sight in Seattle's University District for generations. With its bright neon lettering and salmon-shaped arrow pointing the way, it was hard to miss. 09-10

For 75 years, this family-owned market was known for fresh seafood, quality poultry, and an impressive selection of specialty meats. Whether customers stopped in for local salmon or something a little more unusual, the market earned a loyal following that stretched well beyond the neighborhood.

UPDATE: University Seafood & Poultry closed at the end of 2019 after four generations of family ownership. The iconic neon sign still remains on the building, preserving a reminder of one of Seattle's longtime neighborhood institutions. 07-26

Flowers by Wire (Closed)
Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

Here a shot of the  Flowers by Wire sign that takes this Seattle storefront back to another era. Its sweeping lettering and weathered corner facade look like something left behind from the days when neighborhood flower shops were found along nearly every busy street. 06-10

The words “Flowers by Wire” referred to the old system of ordering flowers through national florist networks. The shop here was actually known as Ness Flowers, which operated at this University District location for many years.

After the flower shop closed, the old sign was kept when the space became Flowers Bar & Restaurant. Some of the neon tubing was already broken or missing by the time this photo was taken, but the unusual lettering still gave the corner plenty of vintage character.

The building and sign also appeared briefly in the 1992 Seattle movie Singles, adding another small chapter to their local history.

UPDATE: Flowers Bar & Restaurant has since closed, but the old corner sign remains on the building. The neon has not worked regularly for many years, though its faded lettering still recalls the flower shop that once occupied the space. 07-26

The Gingerbread House
Gates, OR
Photo courtesy Linda Rothe

Check out this place. The Gingerbread House is one of those places that's hard to pass without taking a second look. The roadside sign even features a little gingerbread house perched on top, making it every bit as inviting as the restaurant itself. 09-10

Since opening in 1953, this longtime highway stop has welcomed travelers with hearty meals, homemade gingerbread, ice cream, and other treats. It's the kind of family restaurant that has become a tradition for generations of locals and visitors heading through the Santiam Canyon.

The whimsical sign fits the place perfectly. Instead of relying on bright lights or fancy graphics, the tiny gingerbread house gives the marquee its own personality and makes it easy to remember.

UPDATE: The Gingerbread House survived the devastating 2020 Beachie Creek Fire that swept through the Santiam Canyon. The restaurant remains open, and its charming roadside sign continues to greet travelers along the highway. 07-26

Canyon Gallery (Gone)
Gates, OR
Photo courtesy Linda Rothe

The Canyon Gallery was one of those places that made travelers slow down for a closer look. Standing out front was an unusual sign topped with a flying pig. Whether it meant "when pigs fly" or something else entirely, it certainly got your attention. 09-10

The gallery specialized in locally made wood carvings, burl art, and other handcrafted items that reflected the character of the Santiam Canyon. It was the kind of roadside stop where you never knew what treasure you might find inside.

The flying pig gave the sign a playful touch and made it one of the more memorable sights along the highway. Not every roadside business needed neon to stand out.

UPDATE: The Canyon Gallery was destroyed in the Beachie Creek Fire that swept through Gates in September 2020. The building and its one-of-a-kind flying pig sign were both lost. 07-26