Skip to Main Content

Portland, Michigan: New Era Potato Chip Silo

"Of all the potato chip container silos around, this is one of the very best." Beloved mid-century brand absorbed by Frito-Lay.

Address:
10284 E. Grand River Ave., Portland, MI
Directions:
Southeast of town. I-96 exit 77, then drive south one mile on E. Grand River Ave. On the left, next to the road.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About New Era Potato Chip Silo

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

New Era Potato Chip silo.

Potato Chip Silo

The New Era Potato Chip Silo remains a worthy drive-by or photo-op in 2022.

[Michael Green, 07/04/2022]

Potato chip silo.

New Era Potato Chip Silo

Visited the potato chip silo in August 2020...very cool to see up close. Kudos to the family for keeping it up!

[Debra, 08/07/2020]

It was an important snack emanating from Detroit, where potato chip competition was intense. New Era Potato Chips had a peculiar label depicting a silhouetted woman on a pedestal, It hit the shelves in 1951 as a "scientifically processed" health-wise potato chip.

New Era Potato Chip silo.

New Era Potato Chip Silo

Rode down to Portland for lunch and figured I'd swing out and see if the silo was still painted. It is, and looks to be in fantastic condition.

[John, 08/01/2017]
New Era Potato Chip Silo

My name is Bob, I am 87 years old. My father Alvin must have painted this silo originally. We did so many of these in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana from 1948 to 1961. I am going to visit this one and want to know if more survived. We also painted Pfiffer Beer silos in the same states.

[Bob, 04/07/2017]

This is the only New Era Potato Chip Silo that we know of.

Potato chip silo.

New Era Potato Chip Silo

Fun roadside site for a quick photo stop. We took a tour group of hot rod friends through the area in May 2016 and the silo looked great.

[Keith, 06/27/2016]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Gizzard CityGizzard City, Potterville, MI - 16 mi.
Giant Carved Statues, Syrup QueenGiant Carved Statues, Syrup Queen, Vermontville, MI - 17 mi.
Restaurant Covered in JunkRestaurant Covered in Junk, Lansing, MI - 17 mi.
In the region:
R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, Lansing, MI - 18 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Michigan Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights