History Images of vintage gas stations ~ pre 65

The Old Sardis Store
Sardis was a community in northern Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, six miles northwest of Clayton.
A United States Post Office was established at Sardis, Indian Territory on February 20, 1905. It took its name from the nearby Sardis Indian Mission Church, which appears to have named itself after the Biblical city of Sardis.

 

Eastgate, Nevada 1948

 

Kingman, Az Rte 66

 

Posted for Mildred Kellison. Senior initiation in 1948. Juanelle Cunningham-Mildred Boyett-Vernelle Curry-Coleene Downs. Oklahoma.

 

Six different brands of fuel on sale at Edward Fegan's independant service station - from left: Mobil, BP, Golden Fleece, Neptune, Shell, Ampol, Mobil, BP. Located on Geelong Rd, West Footscray, (Melbourne, Australia). Photo taken on November 22nd 1963.

Laurie Richards Studio
Source: Museums Victoria

 

Stouts mid to late 1940’s. Later sold to Kimbell’s

 

This photo is labeled "Ann post office" This was Bill Fereira's general store and gas station, San Ramon Valley, Ca.

 

Too cute JW

 

This photo was of a car my Dad drove while he was stationed at Fort Lawton and later worked at John Gorman's garage off Government Way in Magnolia area Seattle. Sorry not more of the gas station.

 

Hello,

Back in the early 60s, when we were driving 50 plus miles south to go to the southern part of the OC coast line for great surf spots, we stopped in all of the big name places. But, we were heading to the southern end of the county, it was another 20-30 miles and better surf spots. It was almost a regular weekly event. Stop and check out the close by seal beach and huntington beach surf spots and then head south to the far reaches of the county. We knew it was a long way to go to surf, but we had to go.

We knew the return route up the coast was going to be a slow one during sunsets and dinner hour, so, we always knew where to fill up with gas so we could make the drive home without stopping anywhere. In the last city of San Clemente, near the Camp Pendleton property, there were two old gas stations we knew, along with several food stores. We always stopped for food and gas. Now, after a hard day’s worth of play, we had a great lunch/dinner and a full tank of gas to get us home later on during the afternoon/evenings.

The gas stations were good places to stop. It was right on the coast highway and were on the southerly side of the highway for easy in and out. The food stores were right on the same street and close by. So, we were packed for a full days worth of goods.

Over time the gas stations changed hands and brands, but always had good gas and service to allow us to stock up. We knew if one was closed, because we were too early, the other was open. This was also handy when we were heading farther south toward our Baja Mexico surf trips. Since we did not want to sway off of the main road leading through San Diego to the border, we always got gas early. These two spots were our mainstays for food and gas.

It was sad to see one close and stay empty for up to a year or so. But, it was a good thing, since a couple of time, the closed gas stations turned into custom car repair and build shops with a good following. This one in the photos stayed empty more times than other stations in town.

Jnaki

Then on my wife and my longer road trips down the Coast Highway, we usually passed the empty station. It had been used as a neighborhood parking spot, an over flow for a popular restaurant nearby and usually stayed empty with no gas pumps for many years.

But, then, some repairs began to happen. Not being a busy body, no one approached the workers to ask what the refurbishing was going to end up. Newer brand name stations were nearby so, it couldn’t be another gas station. So, the intrigue continued.

By the time the Summer Olympics were a happening thing, this place came alive. Why? Since skateboarding was a new Olympic event, it has now been in two time periods. In 2028, it will be a third Olympics event and now most assuredly, will continue as a listed event.

Inside of the two large opening garage doors had the biggest change.

Note:

As the local rules and regulations for school age students, the type of places such as a video arcade shop cannot be functioning during school hours. This place is not open during the school hours to prevent activity during the required school day. But, on the weekends and evenings, it is open for business. Including the added ramps and showroom for the displays.

Old gas stations do have some purpose as the years continue to roll on into history. YRMV

 

Here is a real photo postcard of "Randleman's Cafe & Garage, Highway No. 66, Quarter Mile West of Stanton, MO." and DX station with two young ladies sitting out front, circa the 1930s. This looks like a great place for something to eat while you got some gas and maybe a minor repair before getting back on the road.
Jack DeVere Rittenhouse in his 1946 book "A Guide Book to Highway 66" said that Stanton's population was 115 and described its facilities: "Stanton garage; AAA garage; gas; cafe; store; few cabins.

 

Bill's Texaco Amboy Ca....Long gone. Circa early 50s

 

^^^^I'm guessing it doesn't rain much there?

 

This is probably one of the most unique structures along old Route 66. It is more commonly known as the "Iceberg Cafe" and "Rio Pecos Oil Co." filling station. You can see the Sandia Mountains in the background. It opened on May 27, 1931, as a frozen custard stand north of Albuquerque. The Iceberg was owned by C. A. “Mac” McAdams, who also appears to have designed the building. The second owner turned it into a cafe with attached gas pumps. In 1949, the cafe offered its guests “TV nightly,” which must have been enthusiastically welcomed, as television sets weren’t yet common in American households. The building was moved to new locations two or three times over the years, but wherever it was, it proved to be a roadside favorite until it was finally demolished in Bernalillo, New Mexico, in the 1960s or early 1970s. Note that a polar bear sculpture is on the roof above the door!

 

Here is a Phillips filling station in the Route 66 city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The photo is from 1928 - 1929. They don't have their iconic Phillips 66 shield/logo as yet which was introduced in 1930. This is the typical Phillips filling station in the early 1930s with 1925 gas pumps. As far as we can ascertain, this brick building was their standard build.

 

Elko, NV - vintage postcard view of Highway 40 (Idaho Street) looking east (from roughly the corner of 3rd Street) - 1950's

 

In 1913, the Lincoln Highway (later US 50A) was established and routed along Fernley's Main Street, joined in 1922 by the Victory Highway (later US 40). With an additional state route running south toward Yerington (1B, later US 95A), little Fernley became an important crossroads and businesses were soon established to serve the weary traveler.