Anybody still awake back there? We have one last place on our visit to the service stations of Solvang, then we'll stop and get some pastries and go to the bathroom.
The Titans of TexacoThe Fitzgerald brothers were the Titans of Texaco. Of course, if you knew the Fitzgerald’s you’re likely to ask, “which brothers?” That’s because there were 8 boys in the Fitzgerald family, constituting almost an entire baseball team. Their team sport of choice was actually basketball and the five Fitzgerald boys that made up the basketball team were willing to take on all opponents according to local legend. Not only did they take them on, but more often than not, they defeated them too.
From the 1940’s until their last station closed Bill and John Fitzgerald owned or operated Texaco’s in four different locations from Buellton to Solvang. Their Solvang Texaco station was located at the corner of Fifth and Mission Drive, where the Solvang Visitors Center is located, or as some still think of it, the Pfaltzgraft building. This was the first station as you entered town from Buellton (or better yet, the last station before you left). Another example of the Danish style, it was one of the most expensive service station buildings that Texaco had ever built.
Bill was the youngest of the Fitzgerald boys. After returning from World War II he married Glady Ross, daughter of Jack Ross, owner of the Solvang Garage. Bill worked at the Solvang Garage before negotiating to take over the Texaco in Buellton in the parking lot of Pea Soup’s. No doubt this relationship was aided by Jack who had the Texaco franchise in Solvang at the time. Bill would eventually become the Texaco dealer in Solvang too when Jack sold his Chevrolet business to Kelsey and retired. That meant that Texaco moved from the East end of town at Solvang Motors to the west end, it’s final resting place until it’s eventual demise.
It’s hard to know exactly when all of these stations closed. They don’t celebrate closings like they do grand openings around here. No doubt the condition of the oil industry in the late 70’s contributed to this crash. Today they’re all gone. Eight service stations once stood in Solvang and only one building remains to remind us of those days when the driveway bell went “ding, ding” and the friendly attendant came out to say, “Hello, can I filler’ up?”
Thanks for joining me on this ride through Solvang. If you ever visit the town make sure you get gas before you get here.
