Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana Found an old station

Found this about 25 miles from my home. On a lost highway that a new one bypass about 30 years ago.
Patrick
WTB Billups, Rose, and Spar

Patrick, the sign does not look too bad. Ask if it is for sale and get it if you can. Also ask if there is anything else in the building that might be for sale...looks pretty promising. Good luck and let us know what you find out.

cool pic!

Thank you Chevelle and Oldfuelish. Here is the other side.
Yes, I did find the owner. She is in her 80's and said there was nothing left in the old station. She seemed to be glad that she had a vistor so I did the only thing a self respecting gentleman from the south would do. I visited with her. We each had a glass of iced "sweet" tea on her front porch, I on the porch swing and her in an old ash rocker. She told me stories about her and her late husband and of course the station. Anyway, all of the signs on the store (coke,etc..) were all stolen over the years and 2 gas pump. One being a tall one with the glass jar in it (you know what it was).
The "tall" pump was there when they bought the station in the 40's. At that time the station was a Texaco. It later became Gulf in the early 60's and closed in early 1971. All of the windows were broken over the years, one after another in the middle of the night. I asked her if anyone ever just came over an asked her.......she said no...all but you (me) and a man a few years ago that bothered her so much over the Gulf sign and pole.She turned him down. I didn't like him was her reply. I asked her what did he offer her for it...her reply was $50.00!!!!! Thats fifty!!! About 10 years ago the few local veterans needed a place to start a VFW. Thats why you see VFW on the front. They moved after a year to a new place. I did make a offer for the sign and pole (its 2 single sided signs) and her eyes lighted up when she heard my offer. I was being honest and fair and told her it was worth more that my offer only if it was already on the ground. She went in and came out and handed me a key to the old station. I don't think there is anything left in there but go ahead and take a look she said. I found 1 nos no knox pump plate but a small leak in the roof had done its job on the plate. I brought it back and showed it to her. I made an offer for it and she told me, your a very nice young man (I'm almost 55)and you came and asked....you can have it. You don't have to do that, I am willing to pay for it. She refused to take my money and insisted that I take the plate with me. I thanked her and she thanked me for visiting with an old lady. I promised to check on her from time to time and I asked her if she needed anything....She has a grown grandaughter that lives close by. She said that she would think about my offer.....She said that she didn't need the money and also said that at her age money is not important. But added that if it ever is sold it would be to me.......

By the way, the sign pole is the spiral type and the signs are perfect. No rust just mildew stains from the pine tree. Does anybody have an idea on what the 2 single sided signs and pole is worth?

My step-sisters uncle Melvin has a car dealership about 2 and a half hours south of my house and hes got an original single sided porcelain Gulf sign with the original hanger in extremelly good condition which it looks near mint when you drive by the sign and its I'm guessing 60". How much would you estimate its worth without seeing it and by my description of it? And would it be worth the price of diesel to go and get it?(cost about $100 there and back) Figured I'd ask since there a gulf sign in the picture just like it.

Robert

[This message has been edited by MrMoneyClips (edited 12-13-2006).]

Patrick, kudos to you on your respect and candor with this lady. I know you have made a friend not only with her but with me. Take care.
Bob

Bob,
Thank you for you kind words. Manners are never out of style. One day I hope to be as old as her. She kind of remined me of my mother. She passed away in Feb last year.....god I miss her.
Patrick

Robert,
email sent.
patrick

Patrick, nice story. I did the same thing with an older man last week, except it was for old fishing tackle. He is 86. He had some pretty nice stuff but nothing I really wanted. I told him what I thought it was worth and then we just sat at his kitchen table and talked about everything from the oil business to dogs to what kind of birds were at his bird feeder. I really enjoyed it.
Brent

Brent, good for you. I believe that you will always be blessed when you show kindness and understanding. There are many lonely people in this world...I know you spent some time with him. Shucks, I spent almost 2 hours with her.

Patrick,
Thank you for sharing your story. It is nice to hear good news. You are a kind man.
Mike

Your Manners are streight up , and the respect and Honesty you showed her will shine on you as well. great story Texaspelican

Made my day, Great Story !!!!

Paddy, Hope you end up with the sign!

Larry

Patrick,
Thanks for the photos and a great story. Glad you were able to add some joy to that old lady's day. I'll bet that little old store had some nice signs and other collectibles before it got raided.

Regards,

Paul

Larry.....only my friends can call me Paddy!!!!! oh yeah....you are my friend.
Patrick, Pat, Paddy, texaspelican.
WTB Billups, Rose, and Spar

Great story for sure! Very cool! Class Act!!

Am I blind or do I still see a gas pump in front----second picture of station?

What's going on there?

Mac

The gas pump is a Southwest.....very rough.
The only one left out of the three. Hard to find parts....base is cracked lots of hammer blows to the sheet metal and the rust bugs have taken it's toll over the years.....a past attempt from a thief. People like that makes it only harder for honest collectors.

On the subject of pump thieves...

I think most of you would be surprised how many people there are that have several pumps in their collection... When you ask how much they paid for this or that they say "nothing, it was free". FREE you ask - "yep" they always say - "the place was abandoned and they got it for free".

I think people just do not understand - everyone ones something - places may look or even be abandoned but someone still OWNS IT!!! Someone still pays TAX’S ON IT!!!

When I was a kid we lived in the “bad part of town” because it was our original ¼ block of homes from the early 1900’s that used to be the “rich part of town”. We were always chasing people out of our chauffeur’s & maid’s quarters & the carriage staging house because "it was abandoned" - hey that stuff in there is STILL OURS!!! It was funny how many of those people we chased out of there were local “high and mighty antique dealers”. They would steal everything from the push button light switches, to the copper wiring and one of them even stole one of our antique Columbus buggy’s from the staging house!!! Grrrrrrrr...

Just last night I saw some things on ebay.com that the people said they got “out of an old abandoned house”.

Whatever! All thieves suck…………


Travis E. Towle
Topeka, Kansas

785-357-1004

Hey,Patrick. Nice story. It's people like you that help build the trust and credibility of the honest collector. Way to go.

Tom

aka Alex

thanks for all the kind words that have been posted. If and when I do get it I will let ya'll know.
Thanks,
Patrick (paddy)

Paddy,
Awesome story! I love talking with older folks like that. They can share so much from real life experineces that a photo or article can never do. I especially enjoy hearing stories about WWII. Puts a whole different perspective when you talk to someone who lived through it.

------------------
Chuck

Signs Wanted: Sunset, Clipper, Habor, Indian, Powerlube, Beacon, Sinclar Aircraft

It always pays to be honest. You get better results that way & it is also nice to see the look on there face when they find the value of the idem they have. Two thumbs up to you thanks for the story it is a good one