West Seattle scene: Demolition uncovers old Firestone sign

After getting word (thanks to Max for the tip) that most of the ex-Petco building had been taken down during our rainy Thursday, we went by at midday today for followup photos – and noticed the construction crew taking down a sign from the newly exposed building to the south. There’s no mistaking the old Firestone Tire logo:

Online searching yielded multiple references to 4724/4736 California SW as a Firestone store in the mid-20th century; it opened in 1946.

Since their construction crew was taking it down, we asked the 4730 California (formerly 4724) developers what happens to the sign. It belongs to the owner of the adjacent building, we’re told, but was taken down to “remove and secure it to prevent unnecessary damage or building up against it again. The ultimate disposition of the sign will be entirely up to its owner.”

Jason June 21, 2013 (2:24 pm)

Enjoy your view Muralites while you can!

smokeycretin9 June 21, 2013 (2:53 pm)

that is so cool. That sign is worth a pretty penny.

oneanne June 21, 2013 (3:33 pm)

Saw the sign driving by last night – what a hidden treasure.

HC @ Arbor Heights June 21, 2013 (3:45 pm)

That sign needs to be preserved!

Robert Hull June 21, 2013 (4:01 pm)

Maybe Mike & Frank from American Pickers will buy it.

Tanya June 21, 2013 (4:16 pm)

It should go inside Easy Street!

justme June 21, 2013 (4:39 pm)

Wow, what a find!
I feel bad for the tenants behind there. I can imagine the aggravating noise they’re going to have to put up with for the next year or so. But, West Seattle is still and always will be a great place to live.

nemobeansmom June 21, 2013 (4:52 pm)

Robert Hull you beat me to the punchline!!! LOL!

w.s. maverick June 21, 2013 (6:13 pm)

sad the junction will be going away and looking like that ugly building in the back

Alki Area June 21, 2013 (6:32 pm)

That sign might be cool in the ‘walk through’ alley between the blocks. :)

And I’m HAPPY the junction will look like this! SO SO much better looking than the old PetCo building. My god…a half block long featureless beige wall. That was one of the ugliest junk buildings I’ve seen. This new one (while maybe you don’t like it being TALLER) is FAR more interesting architecturally and aesthetically.

Fire Ball June 21, 2013 (6:34 pm)

Sweet, High Density Apartment with zero parking. Another Win Win for West Seattle.
The Sign is really cool find.

WSB June 21, 2013 (6:45 pm)

They *could* have had zero parking, but are digging a two-level underground garage.

john moore June 21, 2013 (6:54 pm)

Don’t feel bad for us Muralites. Feel bad for somebody in the “Third World”…

Roadking54 June 21, 2013 (9:56 pm)

Thank God Elliot Bay Brewery was unharmed.

dsa June 21, 2013 (10:33 pm)

I remember when Firestone was across the street from where the sign was found.

let them swim June 22, 2013 (12:24 pm)

And one block south

pjmanley June 24, 2013 (12:14 am)

Not ugly, W.S. Maverick; Soviet Era Chic.

Mardi June 24, 2013 (11:27 am)

It would also look great up in West 5 with other preserved icons!

speedproseattle June 25, 2013 (11:22 am)

What a great find! So awesome to uncover old treasures like this. People get caught up in making things look modern and pristine when sometimes an antique display would look absolutely amazing. This will be a great addition to someone’s space!

Sorry, comment time is over.