CC SA-BY Our Oakland
Pacific Saw Works was a saw business at 4401 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way (formerly Grove Street), founded in the 1930s by an Italian immigrant, Alexander J. Ponchione. Today the building is home to artists' studios, and is owned by the granddaughter of the founder.
The 1930 directory lists Alex J. Ponchione, 4538 Grove Street, "Saw Filing and Grinding, Lawn Mowers Sharpened and Adjusted, All Work Guaranteed." The family lived not far away at 820 - 40th Street.
The 1967 Polk's directory lists William Allara (the Ponchione's son-in-law), president; M. C. Ponchione, vice-president; Mrs. V. C. Allara, secretary; B. H. Ponchione, treasurer.
Based on advertisements, they were selling chainsaws and lawnmowers from at least 1950 to 1976. The word 'lawnmowers' is faintly visible on the saw-shaped sign.
CC SA-BY Our Oakland
Sometime around New Years' Eve 2014/2015, the awesome saw-shaped sign was stolen. Or possibly was removed by a sign company? Still a mystery...
