White Stag - Portland, Oregon
Posted by: 
Rose Red
N 45° 31.391 W 122° 40.211
10T E 525757 N 5041124
Quick Description: In 1940, a sign is built by Ramsey Signs for White Satin Sugar Co. which rents space on the roof. In 1959 the sign is changed from White Satin to White Stag. In 1997 the lettering is changed from White Stag Sportswear to Made in Oregon Old Town.
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 4/13/2007 12:28:05 PM
Waymark Code: WM1DJ6
Views: 237
Long Description:
According to the historic plaque, E. Henry
Wemme founded Willamette Tent & Awning Company, the forerunner
of the White Stag, on this spot in 1884. In the early days, Wemme
supplied the demands of sailing ships for canvas products when the
Willamette River was a “forest of masts.” In 1900, the Alaska gold
rush also greatly increased the demand for canvas goods, tents,
water bags, horse covers, etc.
Max S and Leopold B. Hirsch purchased
Willamette Tent and Awning Co. in 1907 with Harry Weiss coming in
as a partner. Thus the name Hirsch-Weiss evolved. During the
depression years of the 1930s, Harold S. Hirsh added new sportswear
lines, including ski apparel. The sports attire attracted a new
name. White Stag came about when Hirsh-Weiss was translated from
German into English.
In 1940, a sign was built by Ramsey Signs
for White Satin Sugar Co. which rented space on the roof. In 1959,
the sign was changed from White Satin to White Stag. In 1997, the
lettering on the sign was changed from White Stag Sportswear to
Made in Oregon Old Town. The nose on the reindeer glows red during
the Christmas holidays.
Instructions for logging waymark: A
photograph is required of you (or your GPS receiver, if you are
waymarking solo) and the White Stag sign.
