The famous Woodward's 'W' has graced the Vancouver skyline since 1944. It was erected on the roof of the Woodward's Department Store building four years before the Farine Ogilvie Flour sign appeared on the New Royal Mill in Montréal. The much-loved sign was temporarily removed from its perch in June 2006; rumour has it the sign will be restored and reinstated in a few years, thanks to the efforts of a local businessman. Vancouver appears to have a more enlightened view of its sign heritage, which includes coordinated moves to preserve much of its surviving neon. The City of Montréal needs to recognize that signs such as these are just as much part of our memories, our culture, our history, as the buildings and neighbourhoods they watch over. (Photograph cc 2006 by Aki Mimoto. More here.)
