W Burnside & NW 9th, 1927

There’s been a Firestone shop on the north side of W Burnside between Park and 9th for decades. Although this building is gone, Firestone tires are still sold out of a smaller store and parking lot on the site. The Benson Garage sign partially visible on the far left is a still visible ghost sign on the neighboring building.

(City of Portland Archives)

W Burnside & SW 10th, 1939

There are many classic signs to be savored in this 1939 photo of a popular Portland intersection; the Wentworth & Irwin logo at far left is a beauty. The view is east on W Burnside and 10th Avenue, with SW Oak angling off to the right. I believe you can see one of the surviving “Great Light Way” arches down Oak at 3rd Street.

(City of Portland Archives)

NE Union & Columbia, 1937

The Union Avenue streetcar tracks come to their northern limit at NE Columbia Blvd before turning west to Williams Avenue in this 1937 photo. It was a very auto-centric location; Gasco, Shell and Texaco on the three visible corners, and the competing Interstate and Portland auto camps just up the road.

(City of Portland Archives)