Community Post

Wonderbread Sign Back at Home on Jackson

This afternoon construction crews hoisted the old Wonder Bread sign up onto the top of the new apartment building at 18th & Jackson. It’s back on the site where it sat for 54 years on top of a 1916-era bakery.

The developers of the new project spent about $75,000 refinishing the original sign and upgrading the building’s structure to support its 6,000lb weight. Each 5×8 foot letter was sanded down, rewired, and repainted before being put back on the original steel frame.

The apartments are scheduled to open this September, and will get kicked off with a public open house and a lighting ceremony for the Wonder Bread sign.

0 thoughts on “Wonderbread Sign Back at Home on Jackson

  1. $75,000 on a what, couple hundred million dollar project? That’s probably pennies to the developer and yet it helps this new apartment stand out, gives it a preemptive connection to the community, and reminds us of the history that once was. I think this is wonderful and I hope more developers take note!

  2. Three Tons. That’s not so heavy. That’s like 2 SUVs.

    It will be good to see it in the neighborhood again. I can’t wait until it’s all lit up.

  3. I used to live in Columbus, OH and the bread factory was right by my house. The “re” were always burnt out, spelling out a huge “Wonder Bad” over the skyline. I have very fond memories of that sign and welcome a new, fancy one in my new, fancy city.

  4. Such a great sign! I love seeing it towering over the city again. I think it is also important to note that Western Neon, a local sign company, were the ones that restored this sign to its former glory. They did a great job. I can’t wait to see it lit!

  5. Didn’t Western Neon also design and build the Tully’s “T” that is on the old Rainier brewery? I miss the Rainier “R,” but that “T” is nice too.

  6. What a beautiful sign! So great that they restored it. And JoAnne, yes, Western Neon did the Tully’s “T” which is destined to be another great Seattle landmark.

    I remember walking by the Wonder Bread bakery every day as a child. It always smelled so good, and there was a window where you could see the baked goods going by. I wanted to cry when they shut that place down and destroyed it. At least some part of it was salvaged and restored.

  7. I think I saw the Rainier “R” on the Sodo light rail building for “R”AIL…..

  8. Is this really such a big deal? 50 years isn’t much.

    Do people really want to live in a building with an industrial bread sign?