Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana COTM: Frontier Refining Co.

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).]

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�

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.

Thanks Greg. I sent you an email.
I'll try to get Greg's photo added to the COTM.

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.

I am enjoying this Chris!

Larry

Thanks Larry. Lots more to come!

AWSOME
Details of horse & rider changed as as did the signs.
db

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.

Great pics, Chris. Here's the first map Frontier put out. Ron.

Thanks Ron. That is the first map that I'm aware of.

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.

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.

Dang Chris I am loving it~~~!!!

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


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In 1957 Frontier began its �Family Approved Rest Rooms� campaign. To be approved the stations had to meet �Frontiers 15 rigid codes� and �pass inspections by company officials at unannounced times�. Stations that were approved got these curb signs.

Here is a recent image of the sign. If anyone has one for sale I would love to have one.

Recently Scott �Powerlube� Wright posted this picture on Oldgas.

When I first saw the sign I did not know if it was Frontier or not. It had the �Rarin To Go� slogan but I had never seen a Frontier bunny! I spent some time going through some of the company newsletters I have and found this picture from a February, 1954 company newsletter. Even though it says to �Note the RTG banner� there is nothing more in this newsletter that says what the RTG promotion is. I am missing many of the newsletters before and after this issue so I may never know more than that it is a Frontier sign.



[This message has been edited by RARIN TO GO (edited 11-05-2006).]

Here ya go Chris. I thought that I would add, what little bit that I know about the Frontier company. This shouldnt take long. his little station stands in Sutherland Nebraska.



Now owned by a produce company, it no longer serves the fuel needing public. The fuel island and lubrication pit, are located just out of frame, on the right side of the photo. Check out the long lost "Keyhole" sign.



Check out the details on this Cottage style station.

Although I dont know the dates of service for this station as a Frontier outlet, I do know that it was once owned by Colorado Petroleum Company, based here in Denver Colorado. They later obtained another station, just down the road, but with the construction of the freeway, that bypassed the town, both of these little stations faded into obscurity. And thats another story for another time.

[This message has been edited by Thunder II (edited 11-05-2006).]

[This message has been edited by Thunder II (edited 11-05-2006).]

R = RARIN'
T = TO
G = GO

??

JUST A HUNCH!

~DOC.TAG.EAST

Thanks for sharing that Jeff. It would be neat to be able to restore that old station. Now who took that keyhole sign! I need one!

Yea Doc. I kind of got that!
It just seems that it is part of some advertising campaign. "Sensational New RTG" "RARIN TO GO WITH RTG" What was RTG? It must have been an additive in their gas or something like that.

Sometime between 1961 and 1963 Frontier would again rename their fuel products. I know that�s a big window but that�s as close as I can narrow it down right now. Frontier began using the names GS-1000 for its gasoline and DFS-1000 for its diesel fuel. There is no more mention of the Bronze, Platinum, or Fleet Fuel Diesel in their advertising. It�s probably not a coincidence that this name change happened during the same period of time that the merger with Beeline occurred. Maybe some of you Utah guys know something about this.




[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]

[This message has been edited by RARIN TO GO (edited 11-12-2006).]

As I mentioned the diesel fuel was renamed DFS-1000. I don�t have any photos of a DFS-1000 sign but they probably made one. Has anyone ever seen one. I would like one if someone knows where there is one for sale please let me know.



[This message has been edited by RARIN TO GO (edited 11-12-2006).]

The last sign I have for now is the Ultra-Lube Motor Oil curb sign.

Now how about some globes?

Great job Chris. Here are a couple of Frontier items from a friends collection.



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Scott Shipers
WANTED: Quart Picture Cans
Kansas City, Missouri

Thanks Scott! Great looking pump and that thermometer is real nice too!
Oil cans next!!!

It�s time to show some cans. Sorry to blow past the globes but I really didn�t have much to add. Cans are a different topic that I can add some history about.
To get us started the earliest cans I know of use the names Frontier Lube or Frontier Penn. I have seen a few versions of the Frontier Lube can although I only have one real image to share. I have never seen a Frontier Penn can but do believe they exist because several sources say it exists. Someone must have one or have seen one! Please post a picture if you can. I have seen cans that have the earliest Frontier logo with the rider wearing the plaid shirt. I don�t have photos I can use however so I hope someone else does and will share them.
These images of cans come from a Frontier map. I have never seen any of these cans in person or in a real photo.

This one is from my collection.

The Frontier Heavy Duty Motor Oil can is also one of the companies earlier cans.

Frontier UltraLUBE was introduced in October, 1950.

The back of the can has a picture of Bud Robineau on it.

With the logo change in 1955 they changed the logo on the can and introduced Strato Lube, Econo Lube, S-3 and ATF.

Most of the metal cans came with either flat sides or a ribbed version with a single rib at the top and bottom.

Hi Chris- Great posting on frontier- Have you ever seen a 5 qt can from frontier?? also dont bet on the cans pictured on that map being for real- i have seen many times items on maps that were just an artists dream- thanks don

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Wanted 5 quart cans

Here is a 50's photo of my grandpa at his Johnson's corner / highway gas station with frontier gas pump's. The station was north of denver on hwy 287



Another pic with the frontier ultra lube curb sign just like the one rarin- to- go has.



My grandma with gramp's frontier work shirt notice the unique logo patch.~ she ran the station and delivered gas to local farm's. The station was also thier home for 14 year's



My dad in the middle with frontier coveralls he also worked the station it was the main hangout for a lot of folks in the Lafayette, Erie, Broomfield area.




Chris Thanks for the help posting

Thanks Don, I would like to be able to say they had a 5 quart can but I'm not sure. I saw a real early logo can on ebay a few years back that I thought was a 5 quart but I'm not positive. So the best I can say is I'm not sure!

And thanks Greg for sharing those great family photos! It's great that you have that family history and connection to Frontier and Johnsons Corner which was big in Colorado during that time period. That is also the first time I have ever seen the patch that your grandmother has on her uniform. The pic of your dad with the Frontier pumps is also very cool!

[This message has been edited by RARIN TO GO (edited 11-12-2006).]

Johnson Corner's....Da best "Cinnamon Rolls"

Great photos, Thanks for the time trip!
Don

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Don "oltoydoc" Sherwood
Vintage Gas

A few front collections I have viewed...

Hey Scott. What is that white sign? Where was it used? Any info?

When Frontier went to composite cans they dual branded them with the Frontier logo on one side and the Beeline logo on the other. Also notice the addition of the Super Lube motor oil.

When Husky purchased Frontier they did the same thing and dual branded the oil cans.

One of the coolest composite cans ever is the Frontier Racing Oil can.

Not much is known about this Lunar 101 Motor Oil can. It is a metal crimped seam can and was packaged by the Frontier Refining Co. Denver, CO. Why no Frontier logo?

Chris- That was some sort of plaque that hung in the station to advertise other stations etc. Its a small paper item about the size of a sheet of paper...

Here�s something interesting for the can guys. Frontier used cans with white inside as part of a promotion the late fifties. If you found an Ultra Lube can with a white inside you got 50 cents. A Strato Lube can would get you a $1.00.

Another product introduced after 1955 was the Eterna �6000� motor oil. With the introduction of this product Frontier started using the phrase �World�s Finest Motor Oil� and made the Frontier logo look like a ribbon. I will be showing some 5 gallon cans later that have the same ribbon logo.

Here is a Frontier oil can rack featuring the �Worlds Finest Motor Oil� slogan.

While I�m at it here are a couple other oil can racks. This one was introduced in 1951.

And here is a poor picture of the can rack used in the 1960�s.

Frontier used a lot of these stenciled cans for their bulk products.

More cans�

WE WANT MORE!!!
Here is one:

What a shame on that lense!!!

That is a rare version of the Frontier Gas globe with the yellow horse. Thanks for posting it Scott.
I still have some more to add. Guess I'm about out of time! I'll try to get some things posted tonight.

Here are some small promo items from Frontier. A double S&P, a sign pole thermometer, a single gas pump shaker (still looking for the identical one to match), and two cigarette lighters.

Thanks wfort39663 for your post. That pole thermometer is awesome! I have the lighter on the left but have never seen the one on the right. What does the double shaker say under the word Frontier?
The pump shaker you are missing looks just like the one you have.

But how about this shaker? I know several people who have this salt shaker but no pepper. I would assume the pepper looks like the Ultra-lube can but I have never seen one.

Some grease tubes.


And an Anti-freeze can. Reverse side has the Beeline logo.

This is a Frontier/Beeline cardboard sign that I had framed. It advertises their credit cards.

And a paper kite promotional item.

The double shaker has the following print:

Come in and get tanked up

Ed's Frontier Service
Frontier
Oil Products

102 East Overland
Scottsbluff, Neb
Ph 380

I used to have a ceramic gas pump shaker that had the bucking horse logo but sold it.

Bill Fortune



[This message has been edited by wfort39663 (edited 11-27-2006).]

Chris:
Execllent Job! I sure wish there was a little more Frontier stuff to be had.. I would really like some?? Keep up the great work...

Ric

I Collect Conoco & Marland,, Maybe some Frontier if I can ever find any??

Thanks Ric. I have enjoyed doing it. Now it�s someone else�s turn but not before I post a few more things.

Gas Pump Ronnie sent me some pictures of his famous cowhide Frontier pump. Many of you may have seen photos of this pump in the magazines or books. Gotta love the snakeskin pump hose! Thanks!

Some maps�

Pump ad glass�


Some patches�


Credit card application holder�

For those of you who are interested I did find out what RTG is. It was an additive that was put in their ethyl gasoline starting sometime in the early 1950�s. The pump in the middle in this photo has a Frontier RTG decal on the door. Didn�t scan well but I think you can tell it is different from the more common Frontier decal like the one on the pump to the right and on the door of the car. Also note the RTG decal on the fender.

That�s about it for this COTM. I want to thank everyone who contributed by posting or by allowing me to use your photos and photos that I have taken of your items. And thanks Jim for giving us this forum that allows us the opportunity to share our collections and interests with others. I hope you enjoyed it. I know I enjoyed doing it. And if you have any Frontier items for sale�well, you know!
Chris

Chris,
Forgot I have this NEPTUNE pump door.

db

Isn't that a CROSLEY PICKUP in your last picture ?
db

THANKS AGAIN, CHRIS FOR TAKING THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT YOU PUT INTO THIS AMAZING IMAGE AND HISTORY FILLED COTM FOR FRONTIER. WISH I COULD'VE HELPED OUT IMAGE WISE, BUT THIS STUFF IN NEW YORK IS JUST UNHEARD OF. DON'T THINK I HAVE ONE SINGLE PIECE AND IF I DID, IT WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY BE A MAP! LOL!

~DOC

A great COTM, nice job Chris!! Thanks very much to you and the others that supplied and/or posted pics or information.

Tok likes COTM (trib. to Rex)

Thanks Chris for stepping up and doing this COTM. Really a great job. Let me add just one more item that I got the other day in the collection I bought:

What a great company!

Well Scott got me with that one! I was on the phone 30 seconds after I saw that globe to tell him I would talk to the bank on monday about getting a second on my house.
Turns out it wasn't included with the stuff he bought. Thanks for posting the picture though. What an awesome globe!

Awesome globe indeed!

Great job Chris, I've got my work cut out for me in the Dec. COTM to top this thread.

Vern

Thank You Chris!!!!!!!!

Well Chris, the Picture was included but not the globe itself. Sorry for getting your heart pumping. Again, thanks for doing such a great job. I am lloking forward to the next COTM!

I must be the village ***** but I can’t download any of the pix u sent and would love to see them and love to know when the first Frontier station actually opened, where it was and which sign the used to advertise. Can u help?

Lavorn, This thread is 18 years old. The pictures are most likely no longer available.

Ha Ha! Because I’m old, 16 yrs seems like yesterday to me🤷🏻‍♂️. I sill would luv to see the pix and get the info. Maybe someone will help?