|
 Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk
 Showcase and Stories
 COTM: Frontier Refining Co. (Page 1)
|
 UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! This topic is 5 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: COTM: Frontier Refining Co. |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-01-2006 07:27 PM
  
 Welcome to the November installment of the Company of the Month featuring the Frontier Refining Company. When I got started in the hobby collecting cans I was hooked on Frontier from the moment I saw the first item. The logo appealed to me and the fact that they were based in Colorado where I live just made the company more interesting to me. The Frontier Refining company was formed on June 1, 1940. The company came about because of a split between the partners in the Bay Petroleum Company. Maurice H. “Bud” Robineau was president of the company that he formed with financier C. U. Bay. Although they were successful they just didn’t see eye to eye on how the company should be run and they decided to end their business relationship. As a result of the split Robineau took possession of a small refinery in Cheyenne, WY and several marketing properties mostly in western Nebraska in exchange for his share of the company. Frontier was born.  During WWII the government was looking for an inland source of 100 octane aviation fuel for the war. After much lobbying, by Robineau and Wyoming politicians, it was decided that two refineries would be built in Wyoming. One at Parco (Sinclair), Wyoming and the other adjacent to the Frontier Refinery in Cheyenne. Frontier oversaw construction and would operate the refinery for the government. At the end of the war Frontier purchased the refinery and converted it to produce automotive fuel. Frontier was very successful and stations could be found in CO, WY, MT, NM, SD, ND, ID, UT, NV, NE, KS, and Iowa. Along the line they purchased Beeline and shortly after Robineau’s death in 1967 the company was up for sale and the Husky Oil Company of Cody, WY quickly stepped up and purchased Frontier.  I hope you enjoy this COTM. I will be adding new items every day or two. I will be starting with signs and then adding globes, cans, and then the rest. I will be including history on items and old photos and advertising as we go along. If you have items you would like to share please feel free to do so at any time. I would love for someone to surprise me with something rare that I have never seen.  Enjoy! Chris [This message has been edited by RARIN TO GO (edited 11-01-2006).] [This message has been edited by RARIN TO GO (edited 11-01-2006).] IP: Logged |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-02-2006 06:31 PM
The following identification signs were used prior to 1950.    Check out the sign on the right in this photo!   And the sign I think is the most awesome Frontier sign ever…  IP: Logged |
|
GREG'S GAS Active Member Posts: 24 |
posted 11-02-2006 06:44 PM
Hey Chris I have a couple of cool photos of the front office whith a tall m/s 80 ,and the frontier diesel globe . Let me know if you want them. IP: Logged |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-02-2006 07:43 PM
Thanks Greg. I sent you an email. I'll try to get Greg's photo added to the COTM. IP: Logged |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-03-2006 08:22 PM
In 1950 the red “keyhole” sign was introduced and would become the Frontier station identification for the next five years.  Notice the older round sign leaning against the wall in the background of this photo after being replaced by the new red keyhole sign. The gas station is in Littleton, CO in October, 1950.  Frontier also introduced these plastic building letters in 1950.  Lexington, NE; July 1951  This sign was erected at the Pine Bluffs, WY combination gas station and bulk plant in 1950.  IP: Logged |
|
st.rod Active Member Posts: 1356 |
posted 11-04-2006 08:29 AM
I am enjoying this Chris! Larry IP: Logged |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-04-2006 09:13 AM
Thanks Larry. Lots more to come! IP: Logged |
|
Dick Bennett Active Member Posts: 6015 |
posted 11-04-2006 10:55 AM
AWSOME Details of horse & rider changed as as did the signs. db IP: Logged |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-04-2006 11:28 AM
As always a great eye for details DB. The first two color sign images have the same details. Then the next two with the yellow horse and rider are the same. Then the red keyhole has different details. The very earliest Frontier images had the rider with his arm down and to his back wearing a red plaid shirt. I do not have any images I can use of this earliest logo so if someone does please post them. I have a picture of the globe with this logo but was not given permission to use the photo. (Those of you who think this copyrighting and lawsuit stuff doesn't affect you...well it does) If someone has a photo of this globe or an item with this early logo on it please post it. Thanks. IP: Logged |
|
speedway Active Member Posts: 371 |
posted 11-04-2006 05:03 PM
Great pics, Chris. Here's the first map Frontier put out. Ron.  IP: Logged |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-04-2006 05:21 PM
Thanks Ron. That is the first map that I'm aware of. IP: Logged |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-04-2006 05:36 PM
At the end of 1955 Frontier began preparing a new advertising campaign that would include a new Frontier logo and the renaming of its fuel grades.  The first new logo Frontier sign was erected at the M. and S. Oil Company in Westmister, CO in November, 1955. It was a hand made plastic sign lighted with neon tubes. Everbrite Signs was to begin producing the signs in both plastic and porcelain with delivery scheduled for March, 1956. Below is a photo of the prototype sign in Wesminster. Has anyone seen one of these signs in plastic? I haven’t.  This new design is commonly referred to as the silhouette logo because the horse and rider have lost their details and now appear more like a silhouette. The sign below is the porcelain version of the sign.  IP: Logged |
|
RARIN TO GO Active Member Posts: 465 |
posted 11-04-2006 05:38 PM
Other changes that came in 1956 included the renaming of their fuels. The 85 octane fuel was renamed Bronze. The Ethyl fuel was renamed Platinum and the Diesel was now called Fleet Fuel Diesel. New pump decals were sent out. I would like to mention here that Frontier NEVER used pump plates and all of the round 12” Frontier signs are fantasy pieces. I have seen these signs that are distressed go for big money on ebay. Frontier always used decals on their pumps and never made porcelain signs smaller than a curb sign that I know of. Most of these identification signs are 5-6 foot diameter signs. If someone has information that I am wrong on that I would like to see it.  They also introduced new green uniforms. Nice!  More plastic signs at this Frontier station in Thorton, CO in March 1963. Notice the modular island unit. I apologize for the quality of some of the photos. Many of them are scanned from trade magazines and company literature. They are not the best pictures. Just the best pictures I could find of a particular item.  IP: Logged |
|
powerlube Active Member Posts: 905 |
posted 11-04-2006 08:39 PM
Dang Chris I am loving it~~~!!! IP: Logged |
|
danceswithpumps Active Member Posts: 714 |
posted 11-04-2006 11:13 PM
AWESOME JOB, Chris! Frontier is my favorite local company. Really enjoy the old pics of places close to home. Thanks for your time and effort. Rod van Pelt ------------------ IP: Logged |
This topic is 5 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 All times are CT (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Contact Us | Primarily Petroliana Main Menu | Privacy Statement
Copyright © 2008 Primarily Petroliana Interactive, All Rights Reserved
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47