Arts District Gets New Signage

But which signs are correct? The old ones, which read "Artist District" or the new ones that read "Arts District."

Early City records show this District as the Arts District. But the area been constantly referred to as the Artists District.

As legend has it, Tom LaBonge (now a Councilman for the 4th Council District) a staff member with the then Mayor Riorden, rushed into Blooms General Store and asked Joel Bloom the name of the District so the signs could be fabricated.

"This is the Arts District!", Joel replied. And, of course, Joel was correct. But somewhere in the transcribing to the sign fabricators the brand new "official" City sign became the Artists District. From early on, after the signs were installed, the humor was that only an artist could live in the Artist District.

But as history is often written from the printed words in newspapers, books and unofficial records I would think we are still going to see the incorrect 'Artists District' used for a long time.

In support of Mr. LaBonge he is and has always been an avid supporter of the arts. And we thank CD 9 and Councilwoman Jan Perry for our new and corrected signage. There are several of signs around marking the District.

But now you know the truth behind the legend.