Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana Jack Mendenhall's Museum Showcase & Photos

A Visit to Jack Mendenhall’s Museum

I only started collecting Petro stuff about a year and a half ago and even before that I had heard rumors of the “Mendenhall” collection. It really wasn’t until I started collecting that I paid more attention to what was almost literally in my backyard. Jack’s place is only about 3-4 miles from my house and yet I had never had a tour.

I finally made a connection that could arrange a private tour for me and last Saturday we got that tour. I’m actually glad I waited, because I had a much greater appreciation for what I was seeing than I would have had when I first started collecting.

I know that many of you have seen or heard of Jacks collection, either in person, online or in magazines. I thought that I’d share my experience with you on Oldgas, both for the record and for those of you that might not get the opportunity to see it.

Thank goodness I brought along a photographer, because I was too busy looking to get many photos of my own. Due to the sheer number of photos I will post them over the next couple of weeks and tell you as much about them as I can, as well as share some of the history behind Jack’s collection.

If you have specific questions about signs, globes or cars, you can post them or email them to me and if I don’t know the answer I can call over there and find out.


What Jack Collects

I knew that Jack was an avid sign collector, but I didn’t know that he also collected a lot of globes. I make jokes about collecting globes in California, but after seeing wall of lit up globes, I was impressed.

Here are some overall shots of some of the buildings covered with signs.

Curt, thanks for the photos. It's been about 5 years since I was at Jack's place. Makes me want to go dig out all the photo's I took there. If you ever get the chance to visit Buellton, look up Jack & try to get an invitation, it is well worth it. Plus Jack & his son Mark are really great guys!!!

love the mix of ALL advertising.. thanks curt..

Curt, I can't wait for this. I have heard numerous stories but never seen any pictures. Thanks for sharing.

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Scott Shipers
WANTED: Imperial Refineries Items
Kansas City, Missouri 64151

I started with the outside of the buildings to give you an overview of some of the signs. Believe it or not, some of the really good petro signs are inside and still to come.

And you Globe Guys, just hang on, because I have plenty of eye candy for you too!









[This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 02-07-2005).]

Love that "Hotel California" sign!!! I'd expect to see a grouping of White Eagle globes inside...."You can checkout any time you like, but you can never leave".....

Richard

Very, vert impressive! Is all this located on private property out in the country or is it a city block? Looks like a real service station in one of the pics. Thanks for the peek and I will be looking forward to the others.

Love that stuff. More pictures... Please!!!

A Bit of History about the Property

Jack’s property is an interesting mix of buildings. I had always wondered about the property and how it was zoned. It is located in the City of Buellton which is fairly small city situated at Highway 101, 30 miles north of Santa Barbara. Buellton is probably most famous for “Pea Soup Andersens” restaurant and most recently was featured in the movie “Sideways” as was our entire area.

The population of the entire Santa Ynez Valley which consists of the cities of Buellton, and Solvang and the towns of Los Olivos, Ballard and Santa Ynez is only around 14,000. For California, especially along the coast, that is a relatively small area.

Jack’s place is only about a block off the Highway and if it weren’t for the ten foot high wall around the property you could probably see it. The only thing that you can see when you are near the property is the large pole signs. The property has commercial on one side and residential on the other, and is actually zoned commercial.

In the early days of Buellton, one of the buildings was built as a church and Boy Scout meeting hall and another was a garage. When Jack bought the property he operated it as a tow yard, which is what allows for the tall wall. Although the property is zoned commercial, Jack lives in a “residence” in the two story building with all of the signs on. While we were touring Jack spotted us from the upstairs window and waved. He’s getting pretty feeble these days and can’t do the tours himself, though I’m sure that he would like to.

As Jack’s tow business grew, so did the buildings. Buildings were also built to house the ever growing collection. Now the tall building is in the center and is surrounded by a series of garages. It’s kind of like a “self storage” complex. The building behind the lollipop signs with the roll up doors was built to look like gas station service bays.

They have done an excellent job of displaying the collection in the various building. According to Will Scott, our tour guide, it’s still a work in progress. Jack’s son Mark is still adding to the collection.

That’s enough narrative for now, let’s see some more photos and then I will tell you more about “What Jack Collects (and Doesn’t collect).








I can't wait to go back at night and see all of the neon lit up. The Polly, the Richfield Eagle and the Foster Freeze sign are my favorites.

I am not looking to start more drama... but is that Polly sign original??? I can't tell the condition from the picture. I have only seen one like that (neon) and it was a repop. If that is original it must be the coolest sign I have ever seen! The Richfield looks original... WOW! That is awesome.

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WANTED: Sunset Gas/Oil stuff!

From the ground it appears to be original porcelain, but I did not specifically ask about that sign. I do know of another one here in town that I have see up close and personal and believe to be original as well. I will see Mark Mendenhall today or tomorrow so I will ask about it.

SWEEET!
Nice job Curt,
Thanks for the pics and info!

Nice job Curt. I think that Polly sign is original from what I can see. A lot of the the signs in southern CA. were made like that and as collectors have found them they take them apart and have one good neon sign and sell the other side or trade it to pay for their investment. Don't ask me for sure as I don't remember the Polly in northern CA. The Richfield was on top of my dad's station just like that when he opened it in 1960. Soon after modernized and taken to the sign junk yard.
Curt you going to get us a free tour when you have your gas bash? Got to save money for Firestone beer. Ted

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Ted & Pam Roach
Lodi CA.
pca-west.org

I have to agree that polly sign is one of the coolest neons I have seen. I would like to have one if any one comes across one.
Thanks
Brandon

Yes, we are planning a tour for the Gas Bash in Solvang, July 15-16, 2005. This cyber tour is for those of you that won't be out here then, so the rest of you can decide if you want to look now or wait. (No peeking Ted).

I'm going to start the indoor tour as soon as I can get some more of the pictures downloaded. Here is a preview of coming attractions.



Keep in mind as we start the indoor tour that the Mendenhalls are all about racing. That's Bonneville Salt Flats racing and trying to set land speed records, so there is a car or at least car parts in every garage.

Okay Brandon I'll keep you in mind but the last one with neon one side only I saw fetched about 20K. Ted

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Ted & Pam Roach
Lodi CA.
pca-west.org

OK let me know. Thanks
Brandon

i'll take that little white hotrod and call it a day.... no i won't.. AWESOME...

Thanks alot for the pics cant wait for the rest. This is a nice selection of signs & a ausome collection. Thanks for sharing Ok now more pics

Now Ted , Brandon is a PCA-West member so we have to give him a price break. I too just seen this collection and you can't take it all in at once. Great Job Curt. My eye's were just a moven but only to locate West Coast stuff. to much stuff.


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Dwaine. pca-west.org
Home of jlgas
Vintage-logos

Curt ..thanks for the pictures and story...Looks like a place I would love to hang out in and drink Bullets...eh Tom? LOL..Very impressive.

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Hubba: GAS GEEK , OIL FREAK and humble moderator

................MORE.......................
REX

Hubba, as a matter of fact I just got back from sharing a "bullet" with Jack and Mark Mendenhall moments ago. I have exciting and interesting news to report including the answers to some of Olgasses most pressing questions about the Mendenhall collection. This includes the answer to the repro versus real debate about the Richlube globe (which I will get into later)

For now I want to share some photos of neon lit up at night. If you liked the eagel and the parrott during the day, check out these night shots.





This is a custom neon of Jacks record breaking 200 mile per hour car.




Gotta go for now, but I have a lot more history to share and many more photos, including globes, globes and more globes!

[This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 02-08-2005).]

MAN....I'D LOVE TO THROW ROCKS AT THAT PARROT AND EAGLE!

JUUUUUUUST KIDDING!

WOW SUPER HI-TEST AND COOL PLACE. I'D FEEL RIGHT AT HOME THERE TOO. AND THERE'S MORE? OF COURSE - THE FUN AIN'T OVER 'TIL THE PHAT LADY SINGS! AND THIS UNIQUE COLLECTION IS PHAT!

THANKS CURT FOR HIRING A CAMERAMAN...GREAT SHOTS....WE WANT MORE....RIGHT NOW....(pulease!)

DOC @ TAG/WEST

wow.. THAT DAMN PARROT IS LOOKING GOOD.. BUT THE EAGLE FLYS... what a shot poor curt... keep em' comin'.. did you get any shots of that old dragster he got ???...

Okay, I know that it's not fair to make you wait forever so here's some more...cars, signs and even globes, but that's not all.

By the way Kmann the speed car on the neon sign crashed and burned awhile back, but they have the frame and the pieces in one of the garages and they are rebuilding it right now for another run at the record, hopefully in 2006.



Mark Mendenhall built this custom street rod. He said that it took him about 16 years to do the frame up restoration. He's working on a 60's Mustang right now.



I'm giving away some of the globes here for you globe guys, but stick around, there's more to come.



It's going to take me awhile to download some more shots so don't give up. We took about 150 photos (me 20, photographer 130) so I have plenty more to show.

WOW... whitewall slicks !!!.. SENSORY OVERLOAD OF THE BEST DEGREE.. i think i'm takin' a trip !!!

Note that that car is the "Pea Soup Andersens" special. Runs on split pea soup (yeah right). Better yet check out that Radio globe on the pump on the far left (goes with Cheese's sign).
That one is the real deal!

Hey Poor Man... This is TORTURE!!! Bring on the pics... MORE PICS!!!
I have been thru that area many times and never realized what treasures lay behind the 10 foot fence. My next road trip will include a stop and tour...
Thanks for bringing this to us... But please kick it up a notch!!!
Thanks...

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Frank

I am so excited!!!
I just can't hide it...
Bring it on... Bring it on!!!
My love of Petroliana and Advertisliana (sp?) has my heart pumping...
Thanks Poor Man for the tour so far....
More...More...
Road trip is definately in the plans...

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Frank

Dick Bennetts new engine stand is in the whitewall slik pik( say real fast)


Complete stand, they look KILLER with the flathead trim...

Mendenhall's stuff is too cool, seen pics of it before in Street rodder at a Boneville Reunion...did you get a pic of the parts/beater pumps?? looked like interesting stuff!!

Dodogas, you asked for it, you got it.

This is Gas Pump Alley. There are not a lot of restored pumps at Mendenhalls, but there are plenty of unrestored ones on the back lot. As Mark Mendenhall says, "I've got a lifetime worth of projects". I'd say his lifetime and his kids.



There are some clockfaces among the visibles and electrics, just waiting to be restored.





Tomorrow I'll share some more history, start posting more pictures, including some globes and eventually solve the Richlube Globe Mystery, so hold on there's more!

MORE NOW!!!

MORE!!!

And now for the history lesson:

A Little More History

After meeting with Mark on Tuesday night, I’m able to answer a few more questions about Jacks collection (and now for that matter Mark’s collection).

Mark shared this aerial photo of Jacks tow yard and gas station. Not quite sure of the date, but you can see the main building in the middle of all the cars. This is the two story structure with the signs on it from some of my first photos. In the lower right corner is Jack’s Richfield station (Has the “ARCO” sign on it) that he operated from the 50’s into the 70’s when he sold it off. Mark also showed me a picture from the parking lot of their Richfield station looking down the Avenue of the Flags where I could see a Seaside, Shell, Texaco, Chevron and a Flying A station, along with the original Pea Soup Andersens. I will try and get a copy of this photo to share with you.

When Jack got out of the gas station business in the 70’s he became a “Traveling Salesman” (no jokes here please). And what did he sell? Signs! Actually he sold Open & Closed signs to businesses. And while he was out selling signs he towed a double decker trailer with him and collected signs from behind gas stations and gas pumps too. Mark remembers his dad coming home with a trailer load of signs and pumps and helping him unload. At the time Mark wondered why his dad was dragging home all that junk.

Well, now Mark is hooked on his dad’s junk too and in fact it’s now his collection. Talking to Mark you can tell he has the bug and he is avidly adding to the collection.

Here’s the aerial photo.




What do they collect?

Definitely signs, both advertising and petro related. They have a number of road signs of local historical interest.

Globes, both originals and some reproductions (more about that soon).

Racing memorabilia related to Bonneville

What they don’t really collect.

Cans, not too many on display, more in storage.

Restored pumps, they have the pump alley, but overall there are not a lot of restored pumps on display.

Smalls (or at least they aren’t on display) other than Mark’s Richfield cabinet

Of course they have a lot of some things and a little of everything and for that matter a whole lot of stuff!

Okay, now it's late, especially for you 2tone, so I'm going to bed and posting more in the morning.

Hey Poor man You are doing an EXCELLENT job on covering Jacks collection. Only wish I were there with you!! Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing the collection and your time with us. Don & Lynn

JEEZ LOUISE! YOU COULD MAKE A SIGN PRICE GUIDE WITH THIS AWESOME COLLECTION. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MORE. 150 PICTURES? THIS WILL BE THE BIGGEST PRIVATE COLLECTION IN SHOWCASE! AMAZING!
PETRO HEAVEN!

CURT....YOU THE MAN!

DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES
COLLECTOR, PHOTOGRAPHER AND ASYLUM EXPLORER

I don't know if I will post all 150 photos, but there's still more to come.

This morning we solve the Richlube Globe mystery!

Last night when I went over to meet Mark Mendenhall it turned out that Jack was there too. Fortunately I got to meet Jack and ask him some questions about his collection.

One of the questions was about the Richlube globe. I had seen it on Saturday and it's a beautiful globe.




Now I want to make sure we all know that I didn't ask about it to prove anybody right or wrong on this and I don't want to re-open the repop versus real debate again. I just happened to be in a position to ask the person that would know about it directly.

So here's the answer straight from Jack Mendenall.

This is the only known Richlube globe and in fact it is a one off REPRODUCTION!.

Unfortunately, it was a bad experience for Jack because he traded some real things for what he was told was a real globe. It wasn't until later that he found out that it was a fake and that he had been burned in the deal.

They still display it though, along with the real Richfield globes.



And since we're on the subject of Jack's globes, you might as well know that the vast majority on display are REAL including this one of only a few known El Camino Real globes.



And now you globe lovers, here's what you have been waiting for....a wall of globes, just part of the very large ORIGINAL globe collection at Mendenhall's



And since we're settling the issue of Repops on display, here are some Mike Slama Mobile Bonneville globes. Jack and Mark are passionate about Bonneville racing so Jack had these globes reproduced from original globe images so that he could have some sets for his racing buddies. Great stuff!



I still have more photos, including some fresh ones from last night so stay tuned!

[This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 02-09-2005).]

[This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 02-09-2005).]

Excellent Job Poor Man!!!
Thank you so much for bringing this to us along with the history and narrative.



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Frank

Great job poor man, glad that Jack Mendenall put this "Richlube" globe to bed & that it is indeed a repop as Lastgas had stated. My hats off to Lastgas for the knowledge he has in our hobby, he nailed it as per Jack's story of the trade.

[This message has been edited by ss454elcamino5 (edited 02-09-2005).]

Thanks Poorman. That was some awesome stuff. Very educational. Talking to someone with that much knowledge of collectibles must be fascinating. It was nice to get an accurate report. Thanks again. ~Jason
http://www.oldgas.com/shoptalk/ubb/Forum1/HTML/005341-6.html

[This message has been edited by pollyman (edited 02-09-2005).]

Elden,
Thanks.
Bob

Okay, enough about the globe issue, let's see some more speed and neon. Nothing like big motors, hot rods and Gilmore neon to make your day.







Don't worry, there's more!

keep em comin.
poor MAN you did a nice job of letting us in on these treasures!

he even has a deuce roadster to boot!

Another "PETROGASM" on Oldgas! My Gawd, I was breathless, and couldn't type anything UNTIL............I saw the pumps with the "School House" light globes! LOL. Now Curt, I just have to ask ya. What did Jack say about those? I know you asked! Those Beacon signs are KILLER!

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Don "oltoydoc" Sherwood
Vintage Gas

[This message has been edited by oltoydoc@pacbell.net (edited 02-09-2005).]

Yep, those Beacons are NICE! (Gilmore ain't too shabby either! lol)
Does anyone know if that red pump with the flame is a Keese?
More pics, more pics, more pics!!!!

Oh yeah, is it just me or does that pump at the end have an NBC peacock on it? What?

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WANTED: Sunset Gas/Oil stuff!

[This message has been edited by aquaelvis (edited 02-09-2005).]

Going to change my drool bucket...be right back.

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Hubba: GAS GEEK , OIL FREAK and humble moderator

This has got to be the BEST cyber tour ever! Keep 'em coming.

great job poor man JUST AWESOME. ALSO GOOD POINT JASON. CHEESE BBC MEMBER

Poorman- great tour of some awesome west coast petro items, cars weren't too shabby either!!!

Okay, it's time to start the tour again.

Just a couple of points of clarification first on some earlier questions.

I said that I thought that the Polly neon was original, but I was only half right. Only one side of it is original and the other side is a reproduction. Jack traded half of the sign to another collector who in return had the reporduction made and paid to put the neon on Jack's sign.

Also, the glass roll up doors on the big garages behind the lollipop signs were just installed last year. Mark ordered doors that looked like authentic service station doors for this display room.

Now for some pump plates and some more globes!

The pump plate collection is on the wall of one of the offices along the west side of the porperty. This side is mostly offices and Mark's working shop, but there is plenty on display in every room.



The globes surround the upper level of most all of the display rooms, but there are a couple of walls of globes too. Yesterday Mark showed me their store room, which is also full of globes and signs that haven't yet been worked into the display.

All I can say is "Unbelievable"!



This is a closer shot of the globe wall that I posted earlier so you get a better view of some of the globes.



And that's not all......more to come soon including a fresh photo of Jacks old Richfield station as it looks today!

I guess I promised some more photos so I better deliver. Hopefully this post isn't so fat that you can't downlaod it anymore.

Here's about the extent of the Mendenhall can collection. Actually, they have some more but not much on display.



And for the sign lovers, some more signs.





And just in case you didn't think that they had enough signs, this is the sign boneyard.



There are many more signs in storage and another whole room where the ceiling is covered with signs that you haven't seen yet.



[This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 02-10-2005).]

That General globe is cool... anyone doing a repop?

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WANTED: Sunset Gas/Oil stuff!

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME "I" HAVE MORE CANS THAN THE MENDENHALL'S?

"WOW!"

LOVIN' THOSE SIGNS....SA-WEEEET!

DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES

I agree Elvis ,That General Gas is a sweet globe.I think theres a General repro out there ,but it's not that style

Talk about multiple eyegasms!!! Can I say that? Great job Poor Man! Your photos, explanations, and ability to answer the questions is is great. You have really invested a lot of time in this story. Keep up the good work. I'm sorry that I did not get involved in this hobby a little sooner. Having grown up just down the road in Orange County, I never knew that this stuff even existed, let alone at this level. Keep it comin'!!! BTW, did that old dragster have a 6 in it?

outstanding poorman thank you much. cheese

The town of Buellton in it's heyday represented the best of roadside America. It was a haven of service stations and diners for travellers heading up the coast. Jack operated a towing service and Richfield station called Valley Automoitve. Eventually, moving Highway 101 off of the Avenue of the Flags, did in the service stations along this route. That and the oil embargos of the seventies. This is a picture of Mendenhalls Richfield today (actually two days ago). You can see the pole signs over the fence. Still being used for auto repair, but no gas.



This is a little ad that I scanned from a 1956 edition of the local newspaper. This is the first ad that I found that mentioned their affiliation with Richfield.



On September 17, 1954, the Santa Ynez Valley News printed a special "Sesqui-Centennial" edition celebrating the founding of Mission Santa Ines. In this addition they gave historical information about many of the local businesses, including the service stations. This is the one from Jack's station.



Here's a better view of the old station from the ad.



Currently, I am researching the history of the service stations in the Santa Ynez Valley from the 1920' to the 1960's and collecting photographs and information to post on a later showcase. I've found some great stuff.

Well we still have another whole room (or should I say ceiling) of signs to see so if you want more just say the word and we will continue with our tour!

[This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 02-11-2005).]

I would like to see more thats for sure, Curt your doing a great job, keep it coming !!

Well, it's about time to wrap up this post. I've posted 40 plus pictures and I don't have any room left on Photobucket or Imageshack to post any more photos. These last photos are the ceiling in the "bar" area. I guess that they put them on the ceiling so that you could see them when you were done drinking. Actually they are on the walls and in the bathroom too.









I hope that you've enjoyed this tour as much as I did. I feel like I've barely scratched the surface of what there is to see at Mendenhalls. Hopefully you will have the opportunity to experience it in person one day, like July 15-16th when you come to the Solvang, El Camino Real Gas Bash!

Here's my personal favorite, the Minute Man from Union 76 saying goodbye.



A special thanks to Mark and Jack Mendenhall for sharing their collection with me and allowing me to share it with you!

Curt, you did awesome. Thanks for the tour for us guys who can't make it out to see it.

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Scott Shipers
WANTED: Imperial Refineries Items
Kansas City, Missouri 64151

THANKS POORMAN FOR ALL THE PICTURES AND THE TIME YOU PUT IN.ENJOYED SEEING ALL THE STUFF.YOU SAID YOU WOULD FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RICHLUBE GLOBE AND YOU DID THANKS.
IN CASE ANYONE MISSED THAT POORMAN WAS TOLD THE GLOBE WAS A REPRODUCTION BY THE OWNER.
.........
THANKS AGAIN CURT
...........
THANKS TO JIM POTTS FOR THIS GREAT SITE
......
REX

[This message has been edited by Kysoilman (edited 02-11-2005).]

Great Tour Curt! Thanks for all the efforts you put in doing this!
Don

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Don "oltoydoc" Sherwood
Vintage Gas

Man this gets better with every pic. I got a headache from overload. This will go on the visit list for sure & soon. Keep em coming Curt good job

Curt
Thanks so much for spending so much time on doing this. The pictures were great. It would be such a awesome place to visit someday.

Thanks
Tyler Gasper

Thanks for all the time and effort super job cant wait untill youre bash want to see it and this collection. Thanks poorman!
Brandon

Thanks much Curt... You are the man!!!
I will contact you next time I am in the area... I look forward to seeing more of what is behind that 10 ft. wall.
Thanks again.

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Frank

I wrapped this post up last week, but I found this photo today and thought that I should ad it to the post for the record.

Looks like Mark started racing early (around 1956).

Boy all the years I went thru Buellton and never knew this was there, wonder what other great collections I have driven past. This is great

That photograph of Mark and his family is priceless.