Old Gas Stations Still Standing

[Mr70]

A few of the guys on Oldgas.com took a drive through southern Illinois and Missouri documenting these along the way.In a world of daily change up here,it's amazing how some real Americana still exists down there.

http://www.oldgas.com/shoptalk/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001593.html
-----------------
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/chicagosbearslogo.gif
They're On The Move..

[Rixls6]

Neat stuff. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now that reminds me of an old gas station in Fox Lake on Rte. 12, north of the big bridge, on the west side. I'll try to get a pic before the snow http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif buries it.
Rick

[COPO_Anders]

I saw this one in Motala, Sweden, in August. Most of the old ones that remain over here, are smaller.

[Belair62]

There is an old Mobilgas Station in Necedah Wisconsin....very small building, 2 pumps...... a 1 car lift is OUTSIDE !

[Mr70]

Here's a link from Harley Tech Talk that took on it's own form.
I really enjoy looking at these.
http://groups.msn.com/harleytechtalk/gen...610316038248307 (http://groups.msn.com/harleytechtalk/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message =1068974&LastModified=4675610316038248307)

[scuncio]

Cool...I have been to a few of those. It makes me want to go on a road trip.

[PeteLeathersac]

I love the old gas stuff too and there's still lots of old stations around this area of Ontario Canada..
I've been taking notice in the last few years of the original signposts even though the gas signs are long gone..
Some are quite detailed and I can't help but think the original posts may soon be harder to get than the signs themselves, especially when the metal thieves figure it out and start dropping them like trees just to get a few bucks in weight..

~ Pete
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/youguysrock.gif

[ohhawk]

My wife refers to this type of thing as coming from the "age of innocence". These gas stations are like old barns.......they are dinosaurs. Kind of sad but neat none the less.

[Mr70]

Anyone from here know what's at this location today?
circa late 1950's.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/citiesstation006pn6.jpg

[ORIGLS6]

Agreed Pete. I see these old posts from time to time and think "Man, how can I get that thing down and drag it home?" Of course, I say that about almost anything anymore. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I drive past an old station about fifteen miles from home a couple of times a month. The poles and lights are still there and there's even a towel dispenser hanging on one of the poles. One of these days......... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

My buddy is going by there this weekend, he'll let us know.

[agtw31]

went to an old Gulf station like that in Belpre ohio a few years back that had a going out of business sale.
filled up my suburban with anything still in the GM wrapper.
saw all kinds of Chevey blocks in there,including some Arias pistons for 421 pontiac new in the box from 1970..

[Mr70]

Some really great Shell Service Station photos from the early 1960's shown HERE. (http://www.oldgas.com/shoptalk/ubb/Forum1/HTML/009233.html)
You can still hear the Bell dinging as you pull in.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[kwhizz]

O.K..........Let's see who recognizes this Station...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/highdesert_gas_stationunident.jpg

Ken

[budnate]

TLB... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Dog427435]

ITS A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD!

[SUSQ]

Here's a link to shooting locations from the movie. Pretty cool! My how things have changed since then.

http://members.cox.net/mkpl4/mmmmw/thumb.htm

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
ITS A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD!

[/ QUOTE ]

Bingo......we have a winner................As a "Grand" prize......you can go over to Charley's Garage and pick out any one of his Cars............

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Mr70]

LOL..I was gona type.."Don't call me Baby",instead of "HERE" for the url link,but didn't think anyone would understand.
http://imagesource.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPH/b72704_b~It-s-a-Mad-Mad-Mad-World-Posters.jpg
One of the Best! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Monte_SS]

Funny this thread got started. I was converting my mothers vcr tapes of historical archives from the town I grew up in the other day and noticed a couple of the service stations were still around. The Picture I am going to try to attach came off of a tape labled 1937-1940. There are two tapes and both contain about 30 minutes each. The videos just show small town life from that era but it was neat to watch. I can't wait to watch them with my mother as she can fill in the gaps that I dont recognize. Actually saw my Grandfather on a bicycle with my mother and her twin sister riding (one standing on the back and the other on the handlebars) with him.

Monte SS

oh yeah, also shows an old station greasing the underneath of a car and also a body shop painting a fender for someone.

[Monte_SS]

LOL, forgot to mention this......that service station is still standing and used for auto work but no gas pumps now. I could drive 15 minutes from here and take a picture of it right now.

Monte SS

[Mr70]

Nice Youtube Vid on a few still standing,w/back up from the Dells.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_1ATGm0Dc8

[Z-11 396]

+++ Rick +++ Really enjoyed looking back to the good ole days of Cheap Gas.. Wonder what the prices were in the day, and what will they be in the future..?.....Kasey .. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[427TJ]

Classic!!!!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/BE427TJ/Y-Net%20Photos/Winters1962.jpg

[427TJ]

How'd you like to go across the street to Cormier Chev and check out the '63s?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/BE427TJ/Y-Net%20Photos/Cormier.jpg

[Mr70]

One more cool site with a very nice 2nd page on the pumps themselves. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif
http://groups.msn.com/toddsharleypix/oldgasstations.msnw

[68l30]

[ QUOTE ]
Classic!!!!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/BE427TJ/Y-Net%20Photos/Winters1962.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]


"Move the bike,Some kid might trip over it in the dark.." LOL.....I love Ray and Irwins service station. It's tough to look at all the cool stuff in it as Winters tears it apart!


Steve http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Chateau Slate 66]

This one is still standing in my hometown of Cloquet, MN. It is the only gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Originally, the pumps were supposed to hang down from the cantilevered overhang, but that did not pass fire code.

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mn/mn0200/mn0201/photos/092714pr.jpg

[Mr70]

Wow...That's really unique!

[Mr70]

I wanted to share this with you guys..
I recently drove by an Old Texaco gas station that we drove by nearly each morning throughout the 1960's-70's as my Mom drove my Dad to work back then-(only owned one car).I would later pull in there too on my Raleigh chopper to get air in the tires and a Dr.Pepper..The station is still there,but it's just the old building with two fluted lamp posts mounted on a cement island in front of it.Now everything around it has been built up & modernized.
I thought I would knock on the door,and didn't expect anyone to answer when lo & behold a grizzly old man answered the door.He was real suspicious of me and gave me a stare that would make Ernest T. Bass quiver.
He asked what I wanted,and I said I grew up near here & was just curious if you still had any old gas pumps,pics,signage or stories from decades ago.Right away he asked to see me drivers license,as a few strangers ask the same question of him then come back later to try & break in his old building for items he just showed them.
I assured him I was no thief,and not really looking to buy anything today.He took my license & Xeroxed it,which was fine with me.Once he did that,he changed.I mean he did a complete 180 degree with his attitude and showed me around like a museum curator for 3 hours.He even put on some soup.I couldn't believe it...All the stories he recanted.The cars he worked on..Repair order invoices beginning with the 1940's.People with hats & canes waiting for the cars to be worked on..The mustaches who would pull in with their cars with sidepipes..8X10 Pictures of the ole station from the 1940's through 1980's.With cars from those years all over the pics too.Showing his Eco air meter,a Lubester,Revere lamp post,Windshield papertowel box,Anco & Trico wiper cabinets,island oil can cart,all shown in these pictures in their natural setting.Even the infamous pop machine dispenser I remembered so well.He and his employees took pictures of everything throughout the years.
His garage bay areas were so soaked with tools,you couldn't make out anything specific,just metal items.
The old gas pumps were brilliant in these pics!
I mean you could see his first gravity pumps,then the switch to clock face,then finally switched over to computer pumps until the day it closed in the late 1980's early 1990's due to poor business and his deteriorating health..All of these documented in the pictures he has.
He showed me pics Of The old Texaco corner Banjo sign I remember so well.Nearly 50 feet tall in brilliant Green,Red & White with the circular Star on top..Looking like it was just installed a day prior,that somebody eventually drove up and removed in 1989.He always thought it was Texaco Corporate who removed it after he closed shop,but found out later on it was actually stolen by banditos,looking for scrap metal back then.They unbolted it's base,sawzalled the electric,and lowered it into a truck only half it's size at 3AM.No one was ever caught or charged.
I asked him about the vintage Soda side machine that I remember so vividly and he said it was stolen one night by someone with a truck & chain.
I always remember running over that black rubber ground hose with our bikes as kids,just to hear that bells metallic "Ding~Ding",then bolt away as someone would walk outside from the bay,usually swearing at us.He said that was probably him,as most of his staff let him do that. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I am trying to get him to sell me that Bell today,as that's an item I would pay dearly for if he can find it.
"The Gas pumps?",I ask,"what of the gas pumps?".
He smiled & walks me back to a special hidden cove in the back,and there under a dim light are four,3 digit readout circa 1970's A.O Smith Stainless steel Texaco gas pumps.
Two unleaded,and two leaded.All still holding their heritage with protective blankets wrapped around them and inspection stickers dated as such.Gently worn,and not abused.Nice patina and character on each,used until the day they closed their doors.Each looking like they worth $1000.00 to me,as they were just as I remebered from my youth.I honestly couldn't believe it.I was touching my past!
He said those pumps and the two original fluted lamp posts,(each with 2 inches of paint protection),mounted on the outside cement island were all that he had left of the old girl from her hey day,aside from the photos & the building which was barely upgraded to work out of today.
I asked how much he wanted for the pumps,Flat out,"How Much Do You Want!"..He looked at me & said they were not for sale at any price.
He's gotta be past 85 years old,so I understood him loud & clear.He wanted these items and the pics to hold onto.This explained why everything was all collected and stored properly.I didn't feel right about buying those pumps at any price.They belong with him.
He has let me back in there a couple more times since,as he knows who I am now and that's really all I wanted.
Just to walk in and remember those days as much as he.

[Dog427435]

Great story - It must have been wonderful to walk back in your life like that and see the things you remembered hanging out by in your adolescence.
I started working at a Shell station when I was 14, in 1963, and every time I'm at a swap meet and see certain items they bring back old memories - like filling the bulk oil bottles, or breaking down a tire by hand!
They were simpler times!

[MrsBillyBobcat]

VERY COOL story Rick!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Thanks for sharing it!

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
This one is still standing in my hometown of Cloquet, MN. It is the only gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Originally, the pumps were supposed to hang down from the cantilevered overhang, but that did not pass fire code.

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mn/mn0200/mn0201/photos/092714pr.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

I would like to see what this looked like when it was first built, I would guess it has been heavily modified throughout it's existence.
Frank Lloyd Wright (http://www.wrightplus.org/) died in 1959, and I doubt he was doing any gas stations late in his career. Years ago when I was working for a builder/designer we built a home that was heavily influenced by FLW.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gifI am a big fan of his work. Very interesting.

just found this;
The R.W. Lindholm Service Station in Cloquet, Minnesota was built in 1956. Its design is derived from the Broadacre Standardized Overhead Service Station which was designed as part of the Broadacre City project in the 1930s.
FLW Gas Station Page (http://www.geocities.com/soho/1469/flwgas.html)

[Chateau Slate 66]

That picture is almost exactly as it looks today. The outside has been virtually unchanged. Even the "rocket" LP tank is still there. I did see the original plans that showed the pumps hanging down and it was a really cool design.

It's my hometown's only claim to fame, besides a stinky papermill. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mr70]

A Rita sighting has just occurred. http://www.bodybuildingdungeon.com/forums/images/smilies/heelclick2.gif

[mockingbird812]

Terrific Rick!

[396/425blr]

here is a picture of my mom's first husbands gas station. he died in 1942. it was located in westerville ohio, just north of columbus. it is still standing to this day, though no longer a working station. dennis

[Mr70]

Although your picture was taken way before my time..Man I'm there! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/311456-scan0004.jpg
Sunoco http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[SOM2001SS]

There is a very cool pizza joint here in Charlotte with a few locations being old gas stations. Lots of cool pumps, signage, and memorabilia decorate them. Here's the link. Click on "Pictures" at the left.
http://www.fuelpizza.com
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Keith Tedford]

A local restored B-A gas station http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2797172860101686729xnNZiu Many local people go for a Sunday drive to use the station for a picture back drop.

[x Baldwin Motion]

http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/69/169/1/72/86/2797172860101686729xnNZiu_th.jpg

I'll be damned if I cant get that pic to post either http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Seattle Sam]

here ya go...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/2797172860101686729xnNZiu_fs.jpg

[Keith Tedford]

Thanks Sam. I'm better with wrenches than computers. Next summer I'll have to take some pictures of the gas station by itself. There is a lot of B-A memorabilia in the office area.

[Mr70]

B/A memorabilia has a strong freakn' following.
I know as I got smoked bidding on a few things at an Oil & Gas auction last fall.
Winners were of course,from Canada.

[MrsBillyBobcat]

[ QUOTE ]
A Rita sighting has just occurred. http://www.bodybuildingdungeon.com/forums/images/smilies/heelclick2.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL Rick! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


Thought I'd show you where I buy my gas http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/mygasstation.jpg

Here's a side shot:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/sidegasstation.jpg



They decorate for every holiday! They will have HEARTS all over for Valentine's Day and CLOVERS for St. Patrick's Day.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/merrychristmas.jpg


There is a dog and an "attack cat" who live here http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/bewareofcat.jpg


Fortunately, I do not have to go much out of my way to get gas here, but this is why I do...


I like the feeling I get when I'm here (kinda like going back in time)

I love the fact that it's owned by an AMERICAN http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif (same guy has owned it since 1962!)


But, THIS is what I really like! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif (esp. in the winter!)




http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/wepump4u.jpg

[COPO 70 RS/Z28]

I ran across this one on highway 68 between Espanola & Taos New Mexico

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj121/70COPORSZ28/P2030004.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj121/70COPORSZ28/P2030002.jpg

Cool http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Salvatore]

WOW, What a place and WOW what a view. Bleeds nostalgia! Thanks for sharing! Sam

[Mr70]

Thought I'd post these here,that someone else did on another site.

[Mr70]

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5282/siddowayservice1967with.jpg

[Mayhem]

These are mostly Route 66 between Amarillo and Albuquerque.
Some are Austin.

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Ruidoso%20Christmas%202010%20011.jpg

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Ruidoso%20Christmas%202010%20016.jpg

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Ruidoso%20Christmas%202010%20026.jpg

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Ruidoso%20Christmas%202010%20051.jpg

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Ruidoso%20Christmas%202010%20064.jpg

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Ruidoso%20Christmas%202010%20074.jpg

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Ruidoso%20Christmas%202010%20161.jpg

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Pontiac%204_15_50.jpeg

http://blueicehouse.com/n5ssi/Mobil%204_30_55.jpeg

[TimG]

Cool pictures, what's at 1020 Lamar now?