COTM November 2007--Pure - Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk

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Author	Topic: COTM November 2007--Pure
Maps for the memories Active Member Posts: 117 From: Midwest Registered: Jul 2006	posted 11-01-2007 10:14 AM (Thanks for the banner, DOC!) Here comes my try at the COTM. I'm light on petroliana, but heavy on history. I became interested in Pure in the mid-1970s, when I took my freshman English class in the old Pure research building. This was the first campus of McHenry County College. Before the Union takeover, there had also been a small gas station on the grounds, on U.S. 14 in Crystal Lake, Illinois, which was the first station to get makeovers accounding to the whims of the powers that be. So, I probably have seen every Pure station style there ever was, when I include the tiny cottage stations in northern Wisconsin. I had hoped to get up there last month to take pictures of what remains, but was unable to do so. I'm sure the rest can be filled in by you! [This message has been edited by Maps for the memories (edited 11-01-2007).] IP: Logged
Maps for the memories Active Member Posts: 117 From: Midwest Registered: Jul 2006	posted 11-01-2007 10:31 AM 1891—Producers Oil Co., Ltd. Founded from the Eastern Producers Protective Association. 1895—Producers renamed to the Pure Oil Company 1917—Ohio Cities Gas Co., controlled by the Dawes family, purchases the Pure Oil Company. A chain of gas stations is merged with the Dawes’ six gas stations. Moore Oil of Cincinnati is soon purchased. 1920—Directors vote to rename the conglomerate “The Pure Oil Company.” I’ll refer to it as Pure from now on. Purfina Cooperative Co. formed to handle overseas business. HQ in Antwerp. 1921—Pure Oil Company of South Dakota, retailers of gasoline since 1908, is purchased and merged into Pure. Pure Oil Company of Minnesota merged into parent Pure Oil. Mexia oil field discovered by Col. Albert Humphreys. 1922—Ardmore, OK refinery overhauled. 1924—Purchase of Oklahoma Producing and Refining Corporation completed. Humphreys Oil purchase completed. Natural gas interests sold to Columbia Gas & Electric. 1925—Architect Carl A. Petersen leaves Gulf Oil to head the Design and Construction Dept. of Pure Oil, ushering in the era of the cottage-style station. IP: Logged
kmann Active Member Posts: 1782 From: new york Registered: Aug 2003	posted 11-01-2007 08:07 PM IP: Logged
thermactor Active Member Posts: 1393 From: Decatur, IL Registered: Apr 2005	posted 11-01-2007 09:40 PM Great job so far, Judy! I've got a question. What is the significance of the red arrow through the Pure logo? I've seen similar red arrows, always diagonal, piercing the Deep Rock, Sunoco, and Diamond logos. There has to be a meaning or reason behind it... Thanks, Wes IP: Logged
Maps for the memories Active Member Posts: 117 From: Midwest Registered: Jul 2006	posted 11-01-2007 09:45 PM The world's best known Pure station owner? [This message has been edited by Maps for the memories (edited 11-01-2007).] IP: Logged
kmann Active Member Posts: 1782 From: new york Registered: Aug 2003	posted 11-01-2007 09:55 PM good question wes... my guess... " hits the mark".. kinda' like.. this is it... advertising ploy.. [This message has been edited by kmann (edited 11-01-2007).] IP: Logged
Maps for the memories Active Member Posts: 117 From: Midwest Registered: Jul 2006	posted 11-01-2007 10:00 PM Wes, I'd thought it was a late 50s, early 60s thing until I saw Diamond and early D-X signs with them. I remember hearing why the Sunoco arrows were changed from horizontal to diagonal, but the reason escapes me. The E. Dundee, IL Pure station had a rotating sign with a stationary arrow. Too cool! IP: Logged
Dave Rowlison Active Member Posts: 215 From: Homer, MI, Registered: Dec 2002	posted 11-02-2007 09:59 AM Shot with HP pstc3100 at 2007-11-02 When I think of Pure Oil I think of truck stops, but Hi-Speed (Hickock) is credited with the 1st truck stop. But Pure owned 51% Hi-Speed since the late 1920's and bought them out in 1951. This above picture is of the location of what is said to be the first truck stop at Imlay City, MI. from 1957. Note the Hi-Speed column. Shot with HP pstc3100 at 2007-11-02 Same location 1958 Shot with HP pstc3100 at 2007-11-02 Same location 1967 Pure put out a "Puretruck Station Directory" that pictured most locations and there services. These pictures come from directories of 1957, 58, & 67. In 1957 they advertised that they had 176 truck stops in 24 states IP: Logged
Maps for the memories Active Member Posts: 117 From: Midwest Registered: Jul 2006	posted 11-02-2007 06:53 PM An odd little "Southern style" station attached to a motel (Steve Court) in Cameron, North Carolina. [This message has been edited by Maps for the memories (edited 11-02-2007).] IP: Logged
Maps for the memories Active Member Posts: 117 From: Midwest Registered: Jul 2006	posted 11-02-2007 07:15 PM One of the definitive cottage stations, on a 1935 map. Note the 32 state marketing area. ...Plus its rarer, simpler sister... [This message has been edited by Maps for the memories (edited 11-02-2007).] IP: Logged
Big Dave Member Posts: 7 From: Grove City, Ohio, USA Registered: Jan 2003	posted 11-02-2007 07:17 PM I think Sunoco changed the arrow to diagonal when they went to plastic backlight signs. IIRC, it had to do with the heights of the backlit signs as opposed to the metal ones. I think they wanted the arrow to point to the station. IP: Logged
hy-flash 72 Active Member Posts: 93 From: waterville ohio Registered: May 2004	posted 11-02-2007 08:49 PM Dave, Is the Hi-Speed/Pure building still in Imlay city yet? Or is it torned down? I have been up there a few times and could not find it. I have post card picture from it. I will put it up if I can find it? Randy IP: Logged
Dave Rowlison Active Member Posts: 215 From: Homer, MI, Registered: Dec 2002	posted 11-03-2007 03:19 AM Shot with HP pstc3100 at 2007-11-03 Check the crooked sign of this Florida location Shot with HP pstc3100 at 2007-11-03 Nearly all Pure station had "BE SURE WITH PURE" on them. This one has "DON"T CUSS CALL US" Didn't get the memo?? Shot with HP pstc3100 at 2007-11-03 In the days before many refrigerated trailers they had be to iced and the little gasoline motor blew air over the ice to cool the load. Hy-Flash: I believe that the Imlay City location is gone. Post your postcard of that location. IP: Logged
Maps for the memories Active Member Posts: 117 From: Midwest Registered: Jul 2006	posted 11-03-2007 06:52 AM That Atlanta station is identical to the Pure truck stop on the old Beltline around Monona/Madison. I'm glad you posted this because I never got a chance to get a photo of the building. Today, you wouldn't know what it had been. IP: Logged
SuperAmerica Man Active Member Posts: 295 From: Central , MN USA Registered: Oct 2002	posted 11-03-2007 09:24 AM ------------------ IP: Logged

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