When Orchard Supply Hardware closed last fall, community members immediately and overwhelmingly expressed interest in preserving and finding a home for the large 1950s OSH neon sign, which had been installed on San Carlos Street. Through the efforts of many, the sign was delivered to the History San José warehouse earlier this year.  
 
The plan is to have the sign professionally restored by Arrow Sign of Hayward and installed adjacent the OSH boxcar in History Park. The location parallel to Senter Road will allow both those inside the Park and those outside driving by a great view!  We will be raising funds for this Fund-A-Need project at our Valley of Hearts Delight event on June 22 (see details in the events section). Please join us!   

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San Jose, CA – January 17, 2019 - The Preservation Action Council of San Jose and History San José are pleased to announce the return of the missing Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) neon sign.

 

Through the ongoing efforts of both organizations and the San Jose Police Department, the sign was successfully recovered and returned to History San José. Lowe’s Companies, Inc., the owner of the sign, donated the iconic sign to the two organizations. It will be stored at History San José.

 

The sign will be examined to determine what level of restoration is needed. The sign needed  repair before it went missing. Fundraising efforts will begin once an appraisal and estimate is received detailing the needed the repairs.

 

The OSH sign disappeared in early November and has not been seen since. Through the diligence of the Preservation Action Council, History San José, and the San Jose Police Department, the sign was located and recovered.

 

The missing sign caught the attention of generations of San Joseans who were already reeling from the closure of their beloved OSH stores which had been community landmarks since the founding of the store in 1931 by local farmers.   Then the sign disappeared and hundreds of locals took to social media to share their thoughts about the loss of the sign. Everyone wanted the sign back so current and future generations could enjoy the sign and learn about a period in time when we were known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight.

 

We are pleased to have been able to assist in the recovery of this vintage sign and look forward to one day having it lit and on display again. Thanks to the offices of former Santa Clara County Supervisor, Ken Yeager, and San Jose Councilwoman Dev Davis, who were also helpful in recovering the sign.