I WENT UP TO OXFORD, PA TO PICK SOMETHING UP AND SAW THIS BIG OLD ORIGINAL PORCELAIN SIGN STILL HANGING ACCROSS AND ALLEY. PRETTY COOL
NEXT THIS PORCELAIN GULF SIGN IS HANGIN ON THE BACK OF A STATION THAT JUST SHUT ITS DOORS NEAR MY HOUSE....."DONT BOTHER MOVING THE SIGN.....JUST CUT THE CORNER OUT"
Hey Guys & Gals,
It's time to share the petro relics that we've stumbled across in our recent travels, and check out what other people have found as well.
If you would like to contribute to this feature, simply post the pictures here or email them directly to me and I will post them for you. Be sure to include a story or description with your submissions.
If it's too close to the next installment, please note that I may hold your contribution for posting when the new FATW comes up.
Send 'em in!!
Happy Trails!
Wes
Last month's feature made it to 100 posts! I'm sorry I was a little delayed this month, but I wanted to let the old one settle out, and also wait for the upgrade to be completed.
Let's get started!
Out for a drive in TX, we ran across this excellent Cities Service cottage station. It's in amazing condition, and still has all three lenses intact (though one is cracked). Those lenses are 15" globe lenses in metal surface-mount holders. It's pretty cool that the brick was never painted over.
Cities Service stations like this one sometimes had a separate washing bay nearby (to the left in this case). This one was either removed, or never existed. I've got some more CS station photos I'll post later showing their unique washing bay.
We also spotted this Opaline sign in great shape on the side of a building:
A neat display nearby:
This old general store begged us to stop for some photos. You can see that the awning was added later, and those cool square light poles once had bonnets or fluorescents on top.
Check out the base of the pole. Is that a little tire inflating pump/compressor inside? Neat!
That's all I've got for tonight, but let's keep 'em coming!
Wes
That is a threated lid to expose the electrical.
sorry i didnt realize you had to host a topic....im laid off and i have a lot of time on my hands....i started the FATW earlier tonight oooops
st.rod,
I see - for some reason it had looked to me like the end cap of a motor. Now that I look at it, I agree with you - some type of junction box.
thermoman,
Not a problem at all. I'm going to see if both threads can be merged together.
Thanks guys!
Wes
I am going to merge this topic into wes's topic, since he hosts this topic each and every month. I am going to lock it untill I have time later today to merge it. Thanks, Ryan
Thanks Ryan - looks like it worked!
Wes
located in Adrain Tx.
Another station in Adrian Tx.
My
apologies to everyone for jumping the gun. You get to focusing on certain cues and all I saw was FATW. Got excited and was ready to start adding all the work. I'll hang out for a day and then start back up again.
Lincoln Ks.
Newkirk Ok.
Ponca City Ok.
I KNOW THE PIC IS HORRIBLE....I SPOTTED THIS AIR METER ON THE WALL OF A GARAGE IN PA TODAY
I KNOW THE PIC IS HORRIBLE....I SPOTTED THIS AIR METER ON THE WALL OF A GARAGE IN PA TODAY
Did you Stop and see if they would Sell it???
That's what I was going to ask! Neat find!
Wes
i have known about this air meter for a couple of years....my good freind told me he inquired about it some years ago and it was not for sale. i know where another original air meter is too.....and still in the elemeents. next time i ride by ill get a picture
Seen today in southern Utah
That pump looks like it's in good shape. I wonder if that's its original installation, or if it's ornamental?
Also, I really like the farmhouse style station/home combo (2 pics above the pump pic). Looks like a place I'd like to live.
Thanks for posting the pics, guys!
Wes
Ponca City Ok.
Wes, I dont believe the pump is in its original location. Jack
Jack,
That looks like a Phillips cottage - and a nice one. What's that on the left side of the building where the Phillips lens should be? Is it a sign? Looks like a Mobilgas sign or lens?
Thanks,
Wes
Wes,
Same 54 as on front. [Ctrl++++++ to zoom in on your keyboard]
Ok, I see it now that I zoomed in. Are those lenses or signs covering the holes?
Wes
Thanks Dick I never knew about zooming in like that! Tell me another trick!
I HAVE A MAC AND IT MAKES THE PRINT ON MY PAGES BIGGER...NOT THE PICTURES.
Time for you to get a PC & me DSL or cable! LOL
Jim, I try to keep count of the +, so I know how many - to get back. Works real well when someone post a large picture, instead of scrolling.
db
Wes, not sure if they are the orignal lens just painted over or a new sign. There are several stations I have posted photos of that still had the orignal lens in them in past from the Ok. and Tx. area. Jack
Adrain Tx.
Located in Cottonwood Falls Ks.
Description: Cottonwood Falls - Fordson
LOVE THAT FORDSON SIGN. INQUIRED ABOUT A LOCAL ONE HERE IN ABOUT THE SAME COND. NO SALE!
I would say Standard or Pure. I like the first one there. To bad the canopy's are in the way.
Dave, the station you asked about looks like a Gulf to me.
I really like that Texaco (Economy) station. Hard to say what it started off as, but it's a great building.
It is a lot of fun stopping and talking to people who own or work in old stations. Like you said, it's amazing how much you'll learn.
Wes
not bored one little bit.keep em coming guys.fatw is one of my favorites!
Dave, keep posting them always enjoy the old station photos. Jack
I recently drove to Michigan for Christmas and on my way back, I saw this old gas station in Junction, Utah as I went to Bryce Canyon National Park.
By
thelindquists, shot with
DSC-H5 at 2009-01-23
By
thelindquists, shot with
DSC-H5 at 2009-01-23
WOW! THAT LOOKS LIKE A CLASSIC OLD SINCLAIR OR MAYBE A CALSO STATION? THE STYLE YOU'D SEE ON THE COVERS OF THE MAPS!
YOU DID REMEMBER TO CHECK THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES AND THE ATTIC RIGHT?
NO IM NOT BORED, KEEP THE PICS COMING , I THINK EVERYBODY LIKES THEM!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
BACK IN THE 60'S WHEN I WAS A KID (UNDER AGE 10), THE ONLY WAY OUT TO THE SUMMER HOUSE PRETTY DIRECTLY WAS THE 2-LANE BLACKTOP. IT WOULD PASS THRU AT LEAST 2-DOZEN SMALL TOWNS. I ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS TIRE SIGN IN ROCKY POINT WOULD TELL ME WE HAD ABOUT ANOTHER 1/2 HOUR UNTIL WE GOT THERE.
THE SIGN IS STILL THERE ALONG WITH A NEON LIT FIRESTONE NEON BOWTIE. I SHOT THIS PICTURE YESTERDAY:
I AM GONNA LOOK INTO SEEING IF IT STILL LIGHTS UP.
well i finally started to carry my camera around again,and while i was working stopped and took a few pics.all of these are within 10 miles of my house1st in mundelien,its still hooked up to the pipes
then a shot of Rays Garage.if you are ever near mundelien,dont miss it!!!
also in mundelien,thinking sinclair?
then this last by an old farm house.real friendly guy,although not for sale
Doc, that tire sign is real cool! Look into if they want to sell
while you are checking on it
Greg
I posted this pic over a year ago of a Kendall (in my day) station in Livonia, NY that was condemned by the town and about to be demolished. Thankfully, a local guy I know ( Mike West) who is into restoring and collecting all kinds of things bought it from the town and moved it to his property. I saw it this past summer and he is doing a great job of restoring the porcelain panels. Unfortunately, I didnt have my camera, but I will be sure to bring it next time I am back there and then post them here.
I thank people like him who have the foresight and ambition to take on such a large undertaking so the rest of us can enjoy it. In the not-too-distant future, kids won't know what a "gas" station ( and other Petroliana) is if not for the efforts of collectors. Everyone here can pat themselves on the back for their part in preserving a small piece of our history.
Description: Formerly a Kendall station in Livonia, NY, it sits waiting to be bought or demolished.
although not real rare amazingly still being used today.these are on stevens buddys farm
Texaco Station
Larry
Ok, I give up. Whats that behind the station? Cant imagine its a parking garage. No room to manuver and I dont see a ramp. Assume there is a lift somewhere. S
Vermonter,
Yes, it is a parking garage. Used one a few years ago in some big city with limited parking.
Had a platform that moved back and forth, then up to a vacant spot.
Ed
Located in Eskridge Ks.
went on a little road trip today......first pic is huge tin firestone sign....its gigantic
dont know what the second pic is....thought some of you might guess at whats underneith the paint on this one....dont know if its even petro related
These next photos are earlier in the buildings history. This has always been in the family by the way.
Just a modern interior pic.
This next pic is of Mr Sekulski's grandfather who is the man who began the family business. This had to be one of my favorites for the simple fact that he started the with nothing more than a simple domestic garage and a gas pump!
Unfortunately this place no longer exists just 1/2 mile away in the other direction down the road but as the Pic was "FOUND ALONG THE WAY", I thought this would fit in as well.
These 2 stations he had a pic of also fell to the developers bulldozer.
MAN, YA GOTTA LOVE SIGHTS LIKE THAT!
Can't wait until this month is over and the thread starts again!
This is BY far the best thread and most fun.
Keep the FATW's coming.
Larry
This one is in Williams Az.
This is in El Dorado Ks.
This business or building is also located in El Dorado Ks. so if your visiting the Kansas Oil Museum look it up there is a Texaco station inside along with several restored cars and motorcycles. The building was closed when I was passing thur town. Jack
WOW Killer Cuda Ragtop!!!!!!