This elaborate Arch of Welcome was constructed in the intersection of SW 6th and Alder for the Imperial Session of Shriners in 1920. At that event, members unanimously passed a resolution to establish the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children system. This view is to the north; the top of the Wells-Fargo building can be seen in the distance over the arch.
(The Oregonian, from University of Oregon Libraries)
Vintage Portland 
“sym bolical gateway to Portland oasis”
And here I thought The Syms was a wholly modern game that could only be played on a computer or peripheral device.
I know; bad joke. But hey, at least it wasn’t bad spelling.
Informative picture, Dan. I’d heard of the Grand Reunion of the Elks, but I wasn’t aware of this celebration by the Shriners.
*checks for typos, crosses fingers, and hits “post comment”*
Could you imagine anything, even in Portland, that featured Arabic figures pointing toward Mecca today?
I’ve always heard the Shriner’s Hospitals do wonderful work…
T-Bag…I thought the same thing. Especially with the events of the past decade. It’s a great photo of a time when anything middle eastern or ‘oriental’ was just plain exotic. Could anyone decode the words on the arch?
Jane: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-salamu_alaykum
To me the Shriners were always the fun guys in the parade who built hospitals. So I learned something new today. First you become a Master Mason, then you become a Shriner. The Welcome Arch shows the Shriner’s greetings and salutations.
Since 1872, Shriners have used the salutation “Es Selamu Aleikum,” Arabic for “Peace be with you!” The response: “Aleikum Es Selamu,” or “With you be peace.”
From the pamphlet “The Ultimate Guide, Shriner Primer” and http://www.beashrinernow.com/About/Shriners/AboutShriners.aspx