2000.17.11

BUILDING 590
c. 1964
60 in HIGH x 40.25 in|15.25 in WIDE
(152.40 cm HIGH x 102.23 cm|38.73 cm WIDE)
Collection of the Oakland Museum of California
2000.17.11


One of many signs posted around Building 590 at the Oakland Army Base during the Vietnam War. Building 590 was used as a place were troops would spend the night before being shipped to Vietnam or stayed upon returning. Sign is made of plywood. The sign is a map for Building 590 with a "You Are Here" arrow with little pink footprints showing the soldier at the shipping office and arrows indicating how to exit the building properly. Also indicated on the map is the location of the snake bar, supply room, briefing area, tv area, showers and latrine, game room, rec area, reading room and Bays 4, 5, and 8 (the Bays were probably where the cots for the soldiers to bunk on were located). Across the top of the sign are the words "Building 590" painted in black block letters on thin wood that is raised from the rest of the sign. A big Army symbol, green circle with a star in the center outlined in red and a big "A" in red in the center of the star, is attached to the upper right corner of sign. At the bottom is "To Building 640" with an arrow pointing to the left.

Used: U.S. Army

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