There are many great old signs in San Francisco, but there is only one Eat Carnation Mush sign.
The Carnation Mush sign can be found at 1586 Market Street in downtown San Francisco. It was revealed in 2012 when the adjacent abandoned moving company was torn down. The "3 kinds" of mush were wheat flakes, rolled oats, and granulated wheat - so picture breakfast cereals.
Carnation Mush was originally created by the Albers Bros. Milling Company in Portland, Oregon. The mill eventually moved north to Tacoma and Seattle where it was purchased by the Carnation Milk Company after an unsuccessful attempt to stop Albers from using the trade name "Carnation Mush."
If you can’t beat em, buy em out to protect your own brand.
There is an Albers Bros sign on 16th and Capp in the Mission and a Carnation Milk sign on Kearny between Chinatown and North Beach, both of which are worth checking out if you’re in those neighborhoods.
To celebrate this iconic San Francisco ghost sign we’ve made it into an enamel pin. Perfect for your lapel, your hat, or your backpack, you can purchase them on our Etsy Page or in person on our walking tours.
About those… we’ll be announcing tour dates in February for the Spring/Summer 2020 Walking Tour Season.
