Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Gas Station Mystery

As some of you guys know I have invested in some land projects from time to time and have recently purchased a piece of land with an old resturant that was in the 20"s and 30's a Gas Station/store. We started the process of getting the ground cerified and pulling the old tank that has not been used since 1938. Here is the fun part or lets call it Old Gas CSI. From the clues that I will post here I want to find out what brand of gas was sold at the station.

Here is a picture of the front of the building. As you can see there are the ends of the original pump island. The pipes to the tanks were still in place and led directly to the 500 gallon tank. The roof originally came out to the island and was supported by a post on two pillars. Lets call this clue number one.

Did I say that I don't know the answer either so we are all in this together.

Even though both ends of the island are there, as you can see one end has been rocked over but is still in place. This was one of the post supports.The other support is gone. Clue number two. Before I go any further with more clues let me see if I can post the first picture.




[This message has been edited by Flyingaman (edited 08-13-2007).]

Here is another picture that shows the island ends that are pointed clue number 3. Also the sign base has nothing to do with the pump island or the station. Also the station is located in Washington State. Clue number 4

Here we are pulling one of the ends of the island. We will need to operate on this piece to see what clues are under the rock and mortar.






[This message has been edited by Flyingaman (edited 08-13-2007).]

I really doubt you'll find any clues inside of the rock/mortar end of the island. I kinda hate to see you destroy that...

As far as researching the history of the building itself, try going to the local library and looking at city directories from teh era. You should be able to look up the address and see what was there.

Wes

The last clues I have so far and may ever have are here. Good luck and can't wait to see what you guys think.















[This message has been edited by Flyingaman (edited 08-13-2007).]

[This message has been edited by Flyingaman (edited 08-13-2007).]

TRUES RAINBOW GASOLINE

Look in ATTIC for ANYTHING.
Try the library for old phone books.
County/City Tax records.
Fire Dept. records.
Street Dept. records.
Newspaper records.
Building permits.
Talk to Older neighbors, adv. in local paper for information.
db

Dick
I haven't had time to get in the attic as it is full of stuff and and will take some time once we get the building empty. I have been promised some pictures from some of the old timers in the area but haven't seen any so far. I will check some public records when I have time. Rainbow is a good guess but I am not sure.

Craig

GILMORE, GENERAL, RICHFIELD

Craig, it was Associated of course and I cleaned it out last year, lots of signs and globes! LOL

I couldn't stand it after DB's post so I went down there this evening and crawled up in the attic. What a $#$#@#$#@ mess. Lots of beer signs and misc stuff, some station soap depensers, bar stools, tables, and every thing from the old sinks to boxes of pinbacks for local events for the pass 40 years. There was a lot of old insulation with stuff in it but that will be for another day. There must be 50 old beer bottles all over the place. Neil must of left them up there. I think I will start a Olympia and Rainer beer sign collection, I am half way there. The only other sign I fould up there was a sign when it was a differnt named tavarn. I did find a padlock that was on the tank fill that was in cased in concrete. It was copper with yale on one side and Y&T on the other side. No more clues.

On a more serious note, Neil you can turn around and head back to Portland, there is no Associated stuff up there.

Here are a few color clues.

Craig,
Bet it was Tom Stover that CLEANED THE ATTIC. Empty Beer bottles! LOL

Now ya have to go back & check for signs patching the roof.
Did it have a pit for changing oil ? Might be covered over with flooring. TREASURE TROVE of signs.
db

Dick, you should know that I drink Silver Bullets in CANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Craig, aren't you supposed to be getting your 'vette ready for the NCRS meet, not playing in the dirt???? New or old Rainier & Oly signs.....any neons??? Talk to me!!

Signal!!

..look at those semaphore shapes in the concrete..

Would LOVE to see those beer signs

Found two or 3 neons, I brought a few of them home and will take a picture later today. Tom you are right and I am up to my you know what in other stuff too. The corvette is almost done.

I can't believe someone hasn't figured out what brand of gas it was. I think that DoDo
is on the right track by looking at the concrete semaphore shapes. There was not a grease pit as it was a grocery/barber shop/gas station. Back in the 30's this area was called Coalfield and was part of the Newcastle coal mining operations of the time. This was the main highway(Sunset Hwy) before the interstate went in many years later. The building is made from alot of old mining timbers. So far I have found signs refering to it as the Sunset tavern,Coalfield tavern and the current name on the sign.

Time...

them nmight be clock hands as well!!!

?????????????????????????????????????

Congrats, Craig. Looks like just down the street from your house. SR900 was not the Sunset Highway though, that would be US10 (I-90 now). SR900 used to be ALT. US10.

What about the building on the other side of 164th? Looks like oil and gas could possibly have been sold out of that place too.

I'll just guess Shell, can't read or open any of the thumbnails.

Vern

Just to update you guys on the station. In the blackberries behind the station I found the other end of the Island. So now I have one for both sides of my driveway. I have not determined what brand gas it was, but I have found two pieces of Signal gas stuff in the building. I'll post a picture later. One was a yard stick and the other a cool Signal Gasoline license plate topper. The round end of the license plate topper had been nailed over a hole to keep the mice out at one time. Go figure.

Craig

Here is the signal piece I found.

Hey I thought you guys might like an update on my restaurant. The picture attached shows the station was a Texaco in 1939. You can see the concrete post supports I found. I think this is a cool picture and I wish the place still looked like this. However over the years parts have been removed and added for widening of the road and changes in business. What ever I thought you would like to see what I found out.

Craig



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[This message has been edited by Flyingaman (edited 10-26-2007).]

[This message has been edited by Flyingaman (edited 10-26-2007).]

Nice picture, but I want to hear the story on where and how you found it. Highway dept. archives, maybe?

I went to the county tax asessor's office archieves. Here they keep the tax records from 1976 back to the 1800's. The asessor takes a picture every so many years and puts it in the file. Bingo the 1939 picture told the story. Some of the other pictures showed other buildings in the area from 39 to 57.

Craig