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#95977 Thu Jun 23 2005 09:49 PM
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A Collectors Story
Jerry Thompson, Los Alamos, CA
By Curt Cragg



I got a phone call from a gentleman on Wednesday who said that he had been reading my articles in the local newspaper and appreciated hearing the stories about the old service stations. He called me because his son had purchased a building in the small town of Los Alamos 15 miles to the north of me that was originally a service station. According to a story he had, it had been the oldest station between Santa Barbara and San Francisco when it was established. He had some pictures and the story that he wanted to share with me in case I was interested in writing a story about it. He also mentioned in passing that he was a collector of Petroliana himself, and that he especially liked Mobil.

I figured that it was worth a visit to see the pictures and whatever he might have in his collection. I happened to be going that way that day and made arrangements to stop by. It turned out the pictures of the old station were very interesting, but unfortunately Xerox copies, and not fit enough to print until we locate the originals. This will be worth pursuing since the photos he has show it as a Mobil, Rio Grande, Polly and Mowhawk station (where are those signs???).

In the meantime we headed out to his barn to see his collection. Like a good reporter I brought along my camera to document what I might see for my fellow hobbyist’s. Like a bad photographer, I forgot to charge my camera battery and it died after one flash photo.

After drooling on myself, I made arrangements to come back today and take some pictures today. To put this in perspective, the Santa Ynez Valley is fairly small for an area in California. The total population of our small towns and outlying areas is probably around 16,000 total. Los Alamos, 15 miles to the north of here is even smaller with a population of around 2000 if you include the cats, dogs and people stopping for gas. For a collection like this to be this close to me and not know about it…well, let’s just say I was ashamed of myself. But I’ve seen it now and were companions in our compulsion and neighbors too.

Thanks Jerry for sharing your collection with me and my fellow gas geeks.












[This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 06-24-2005).]


C Cragg
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#95978 Thu Jun 23 2005 09:57 PM
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Some nice neons too.







A nice pole sign for a horse ranch.



C Cragg
#95979 Thu Jun 23 2005 10:22 PM
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Nice, VERY nice! Poorman, that looks like a Pierce Arrow in the background of photo #4 behind the Buick, next time you're there, would you please ask him the year of manufacture?

#95980 Fri Jun 24 2005 02:59 AM
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Curt, glad you went back the next day, great pics and collection.


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#95981 Fri Jun 24 2005 03:11 AM
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Curt , as Always ,nice job! Fantastic collection Jerry,


Chris Holt
#95982 Fri Jun 24 2005 03:55 AM
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WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF THE GOODIES WE ALL LOVE. THE HECK WITH THE CARS ....GIVE ME THAT FRONTIER POLE SIGN. I THINK I WET MYSELF....GOTTA RUN.....THANKS.....CURT.......FOR........SHARING!!!

DOC @ TAG.WEST


DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGE
#95983 Fri Jun 24 2005 05:08 AM
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Curt,

Impressive collection! Thanks for sharing with us.

Jim


Jim Winter
#95984 Fri Jun 24 2005 07:42 AM
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Tom, if you're talking about the dark green car, that's around a 36 Ford Sedan. All original unrestored with 50K miles. Interior is beautiful original too. I took a picture but it was out of focus. Where's Doc when you need a decent photographer?

But wait..There's More!

Jerry really likes old trucks!



No, I mean really old



He also has some nice displays of Mobil premiums and give-aways.



The Mobil neon is beautiful, but the Just Ahead sign below it was what got my attention. That's a rare sign.



Hope you enjoyed the visit, I sure did. Might be time for a CCGGT (Central Coast Gas Geeks Tour).


C Cragg
#95985 Fri Jun 24 2005 01:43 PM
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Thanks PM and Jerry love looking at all the neat stuff........GREAT JOB PM.
................
REX LIKES MOBIL

#95986 Fri Jun 24 2005 04:43 PM
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That is a super collection. Thanks for the pics they are great


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#95987 Fri Jun 24 2005 06:39 PM
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2COOL Poor Man... Great job as always... Any more eye candy by chance???

#95988 Fri Jun 24 2005 07:25 PM
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I'm in awe. What a nice collection.
The Pierce Arrow is the yellow roadster w/ white top under the Frontier sign. These have the distinctive headlights molded into the front fenders. Looks like late twenties.

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ROD [Mich.]


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#95989 Fri Jun 24 2005 08:22 PM
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Hey Curt, good idea about the tour. Set it up after Mendenhalls .
I can't wait.
Don

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Don "oltoydoc" Sherwood
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#95990 Sat Jun 25 2005 09:11 PM
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Great pictures Curt!! Never met Jerry, but I'm sure he's both smart AND good looking!! I think it was Rex who told me that's a trait shared by all red horse collectors......

Richard


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#95991 Sun Jun 26 2005 07:19 AM
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For you good looking Pegasus collectors I will add a few more photos although I'm scratching the bottom of the barrel.

I always think that I've taken so many pictures until I get home and see what I actually have. Some are out of focus or off angle, or I wonder "why did I take a picture of that?" or "why didn't I take a picture of that?"

Well, here's a few more and just know that I'm a better writer than I am a photographer (and that's not saying much).










[This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 06-26-2005).]


C Cragg
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