Box 1, 2018

File — Box: B421.0001

Identifier: B421.01.0001

Staff Only

Abstract

The Gordon Sign Company was founded by Harry A. Gordon in 1904. It is the oldest full-service sign company in the United States. Harry Abraham Gordon was born in Vilnius, Lithuania in 1878 and settled in Denver, Colorado shortly before he founded the Company. His two sons, Edward and Leonard Gordon took over the company in the 1940s and later started one of the largest neon sign companies in Colorado. The collection contains a book of photographs of Gordon neon signs, "Gordon Neon: A Family Heritage Illuminating Denver." Edward and Leonard Gordon took over the company in the 1940s and later started one of the largest neon sign companies in Colorado. The collection contains a book of photographs of Gordon neon signs, "Gordon Neon: A Family Heritage Illuminating Denver."

Dates

2018

Creator

Nichols, Debra (Person)

Biographical / Historical

The Gordon Sign Company was founded by Harry A. Gordon in 1904. It is the oldest full-service sign company in the United States. Harry Abraham Gordon was born in Vilnius, Lithuania in 1878 and settled in Denver, Colorado shortly before he founded the Company. He married Ester Nisenbaum on June 4, 1911 in Denver. Harry Gordon died in Denver on March 1949. His two sons, Edward and Leonard Gordon took over the company in the 1940s and later started one of the largest neon sign companies in Colorado. The company was purchased by investors in 2012, but the Gordon Sign Company name was retained by the successor company. Edward Gordon was born in Denver on April 15, 1913 and married Marion Feldman on May 12, 1946. He died in Denver on December 30, 2000. His brother Leonard Gordon was born in Denver, Colorado on May 30, 1916 and died in Denver on September 5, 2008. He married his high school sweetheart Selma Lee Katz on August 8, 1937. Two of their granddaughters produced a photography book on the Gordon neon signs.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (half-letter document box)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

His two sons, Edward and Leonard Gordon took over the company in the 1940s and later started one of the largest neon sign companies in Colorado. The collection contains a book of photographs of Gordon neon signs, "Gordon Neon: A Family Heritage Illuminating Denver." The photographs were taken by Gabriella Marks and produced by Debra Nichols, both granddaughters of Leonard and Selma Gordon.