South San Francisco in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Sign Hill

South San Francisco Historic Site

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2021

1. Sign Hill Marker

Inscription.
On this site was Sign Hill 1923

The Chamber of Commerce's white washed letters, each 60 feet high and 10 feet wide, were replaced by cement ones in 1929 at a cost of $5,000.

Erected by South San Francisco Historical Society, South San Francisco Historical Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 37° 39.749′ N, 122° 25.185′ W. Marker is in South San Francisco, California, in San Mateo County. Marker is at the intersection of Poplar Avenue and Rocca Avenue, on the right on Poplar Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: South San Francisco CA 94080, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Paul's United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Eikerenkotter House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Plymire-Schwarz House (approx. 0.4 miles away); McGovern Home (approx. 0.4 miles away); South San Francisco General Hospital (approx. half a mile away); General Hospital (approx. half a mile away); Hickey Home (approx. half a mile away); Women's Club (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South San Francisco.

Also see . . . Sign Hill (City of South San Francisco).

"In 1923, the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce published articles in the town’s newspaper, the Enterprise, promoting the community and its businesses. One of the slogans was: “Think well of
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your town, speak well of it, remember you live here. Buy here. Keep your tax dollars at home." As a temporary publicity gimmick, the Chamber painted the words “South San Francisco, The Industrial City” in powdered lime on Sign Hill. In 1928, a $5,000 bond measure was approved to put the 60 foot letters in cement."

(Submitted on July 13, 2021.)

Sign Hill Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2021

2. Sign Hill Marker - wide view

The marker is mounted to a utility pole, visible here on the right.

Sign Hill - inscription from up close image. Click for full size.

3. Sign Hill - inscription from up close

Although one can't really tell from this angle, this is a "D". (See next photo for full inscription)

Sign Hill, South San Francisco image. Click for full size.

John Wong, SSF Recreation Service (courtesy of the South San Francisco Public Library), 2008

4. Sign Hill, South San Francisco

In April 1929 the Cement Gun Construction Company of South San Francisco made the letters permanent at a cost of $4,845 after the voters approved (by a margin of 3 to 1) a 7 cents city tax for this purpose. The Chamber felt the sign was the best advertising the city could have and in 1996, through the efforts of Edna Harks, town historian and archivist, Sign Hill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of the Office of Historic Preservation. - City of South San Francisco

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on July 13, 2021. 4. submitted on July 13, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.