PORTLAND
September 29, 1928: "In selecting Healy Heights as the site of its gigantic new air beacon for the Northwest, the Richfield Oil Company has given to Portland the distinction of having the largest electric sign in the world. Each letter is 60 feet high, while the entire sign is more than 725 feet long and uses more than 3000 feet of Claude Neon tubes, giving it a viability of more than 100 miles.
The new Richfield Beacon will be officially dedicated tonight, Saturday, September 29th, at 10 P.M. By Mayor George Baker, who will preside at the ceremony. Current will be turned on by telegraph from Kansas City by Major Clarence M. Young, Director of Aeronautics for the Department of Commerce.
This is but another of the many notable achievements that have made Richfield the outstanding organization it is today and is a part of its remarkable program which calls for the construction of a chain of Neon air beacons all the way from Canada to Mexico.
Electrical Products Corporation is proud of the important part it is playing in this great plan. Together with its sister companies, the Electrical Products Corporation of Washington and the Electrical Products Corporation of California, it is the greatest electrical organization of its kind in the West and was selected by Richfield as the only one capable of fulfilling the requirements of its huge program." (Advertisement)(Morning Oregonian)
The new Richfield Beacon will be officially dedicated tonight, Saturday, September 29th, at 10 P.M. By Mayor George Baker, who will preside at the ceremony. Current will be turned on by telegraph from Kansas City by Major Clarence M. Young, Director of Aeronautics for the Department of Commerce.
This is but another of the many notable achievements that have made Richfield the outstanding organization it is today and is a part of its remarkable program which calls for the construction of a chain of Neon air beacons all the way from Canada to Mexico.
Electrical Products Corporation is proud of the important part it is playing in this great plan. Together with its sister companies, the Electrical Products Corporation of Washington and the Electrical Products Corporation of California, it is the greatest electrical organization of its kind in the West and was selected by Richfield as the only one capable of fulfilling the requirements of its huge program." (Advertisement)(Morning Oregonian)
September 30, 1928: " 'There goes the gong! Now look out your windows, folks, and see the largest electric sign in the world lighted for the first time,' exclaimed Mayor Baker through the microphone of radio KGW, The Oregonian, at 10:15 o'clock last night, bringing to a climax ceremonies dedicating and inaugurating the colossal Richfield air beacon spanning Healy heights.
A through telegraph wire extending into the broadcasting studio from Des Moines, Ia., sounded a gong when a button was touched by Major Clarence Young, director of aeronautics of the United States department of commerce, who had flown from Kansas City in the afternoon and stopped off in the Iowa city to give the signal setting ablaze the Richfield beacon in Portland. Major Young was on a tour of duty and it was after midnight in Iowa when he officiated.
Radio parties of listeners in throughout Portland and environs flocked to windows, porches and yards and gazed toward the southwesterly heights to see the unprecedented mass of color, formed by by 3000 feet of the orange-colored lights formed by the Neon gas charged glass tubing, the whole spelling the word 'Richfield' in letters 60 feet high and 725 feet wide.
A considerable gathering of city officials and prominent citizens attended the ceremonies presided over by Mayor Baker. The Richfield company was represented by J.C. Graves, manager of sales, who broadcast a few words of appreciation; W.H. Cotrel, manager of service stations, and George H. Gage, local distributor for Portland. The Electrical Products corporation, which built the structure entirely at the Portland plant, was represented by J.C. Zarnicke, vice-president and general manager.
'Hereafter, when you see this great sign's lights nightly,' continued the mayor, after turning the switch, 'remember that it is building the destinies of the government's great air mail service and our ever-increasing travel by air through the night.'
The ceremonies in the studio began at 10 o'clock sharp, Mayor Baker immediately addressing the big radio audience saying:
Friends of Radio Land: it is my privilege once more to proclaim Portland as first. In the past few years of unprecedented progress and development we have on many occasions heralded the fact that Portland had again climbed to the top of the ladder and led the country in some form or the other of activity. Not very long ago we were gratified when we became the greatest wheat shipping port in the United States. Time after time we have made similar announcements regarding other commodities.
'It is my privilege and pleasure tonight to welcome to Portland the largest electrical sign in the world. I have been called upon to touch a button here tonight that will light this great sign for the first time. I shall push the button on receipt of a signal from Major Clarence M. Young, director of aeronautics of the department of commerce of the United States, who this afternoon flew from Kansas City to Des Moines, Ia., where he stopped off on a tour of duty to give this government recognition to Portland's new air beacon and landmark. From the moment Major Young touches the button Portland and surrounding territory will gaze upon the largest electric sign ever built by man.'
Forests of Oregon were combed for the enormous straight timbers that form the framework supporting the Richfield sign, some of which are 140 feet in length. The background of the letters of glass tubing, is formed by cross-pieces of heavy planking, which makes a lattice work painted a bright orange color to conform to the electrical effect. The present schedule is for the sign to burn nightly from dusk to midnight, but in summer when there is much late touring the hours probably will be extended." (Mayor turns light on biggest beacon)(The Sunday Oregonian)
October 6, 1928: "(To the editor) – May I add my word of protest to the ably written one in The Oregonian regarding the Richfield sign? It is a shame to see our loved western hills desecrated by this monstrosity. When the thing first leaped into vision I protested to my husband. He informed me that it was erected on ground outside the city limits and the authorities had no power to prevent it. Is this true?
I have loved those western hills, their quiet beauty, the radiance of the ever changing sunsets above them, the peacefulness of their darkening shadows – what a precious boon to the spirit they have been.
One can be patiently resigned to hideous wayside stands, and tramways up majestic mountains for one can flee from them, but who shall escape this glaring argus-eyed menace to the beauty of our nights? Subscriber." (Morning Oregonian)
October 12, 1928: "Blazing its nightly message of guidance and cheer to aviators and motorists, the gigantic electrical Neon air beacon, recently dedicated here atop Healy Heights and rated the world's largest electrical sign, is now in operation.
The sign, erected for the Richfield Oil Company, by the Electrical Products Corporation of Oregon, bears the lone word "Richfield" in letters 60 feet high. The complete sign is 725 feet long. Built of over 3000 feet of Claude Neon tubes, of bright orange hue, it has a visibility on clear night of over 100 miles, it is declared, and the lettering may be easily read more than seven miles away.
The ceremony at which this record-breaking beacon was formally turned on was a most spectacular one.
At present the sign is being operated from dusk to midnight. Later, as night flying or touring occasions it, the hours will be extended until dawn." (Chehalis Bee-Nugget)
July 1, 1932: "On July 1 the world's largest sign, the Richfield sign on Portland heights, will be relighted, it was announced yesterday by J.C. Zancker, vice-president and manager of the Electrical Products Corporation, after conferences with Arthur L. Fields, president of the chamber of commerce, and managers here of the Richfield Oil company.
The famous Richfield sign is visible for many miles and all persons in the conference agreed that its brilliance would be a decided asset to the city, since Portland is nationally known as one of the most brilliantly lighted cities in the world." (Huge sign to be relit)(Morning Oregonian)
July 24, 1932: " 'Prosperity must be back,' is a remark heard frequently since the Richfield sign was re-illuminated on Council Crest.
Word of similar comments was brought to attention of Walter N. Sperling, sales promotion department, Richfield Oil company. Numerous commendatory remarks have been received by the company upon the lighting of the sign, Mr. Sperling said.
The Richfield company recently illuminated the sign at the request of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, in order to have the lights flashing for the American Legion convention." (Prosperity talk heard)(The Sunday Oregonian)
April 9, 1937: "Sanitary facilities will be provided in Council Crest park for persons who visit the new city property to get the view as crews clear out underbrush and small trees that have blocked the vista for years.
The city council yesterday approved an appropriation of $3375 to provide rest rooms in the beacon tower on the crest and connections with existing sewers on the property." (The Oregonian)