As I am sitting in a hotel room waiting on rain to pass so we can go racing, I have studied this picture some and am curious about the true date. Although David is a good friend of mine and I would never question his wisdom, however I am curious if others think this is from the 30's, ...or is it possible it was taken in/around 1941?
Allow me to offer some of my thoughts...
In the upper left of the photo, there is what appears to be a Rubin & Cherry Shows (Circus) signbill that lists a show date of Sat April 26 in Joplin, MO (about 10 miles east of Galena). If we look at a calendar, it shows the two years of 1930 and 1941 as ones that have an April 26th that falls on a Saturday. One would assume the bill would be fairly current within a few months either way of that date.
The Model-A wheels on the lower left of the picture have three things that might give some clue. 1st, if it is indeed 1930, having new/used 19" wheels & tires just a few short months after introduction seems unlikely however I do agree it is possible. 2nd, the tire tread does not look like the Goodyear & Firestone treads that were O.E. on the new Ford, ...which might suggest the tires have been replaced? 3rd, the wheels appear to be cut-down to 16" size and do not have the space between the wheel hub and rim. Does this look like this to anyone else? Also notice the wide whitewall used Chevrolet or Plymouth wheels that appear to be more of the 16"-18" size instead of 19", -which would possibly date them more towards mid-1930's.
In the right side of the picture there is a Delco Battery sign, which I think is more inline with the advertising consistent with late 1930s.
Also while on the thought of advertising, on the glass above the US TIRES sign is a Perfect Circle Piston Ring sign with the slogan "Wake Up a tired engine..." which was consistent with their 1940 advertising. And, looking to the right of that, is that a
neon clock hanging in the window? When did neon clocks become popular?
And finally, between the visible gas pumps appears to be a rack holding 1 quart oil cans. Aren't these quart metal cans more consistent with dating in the mid-1930s?
My own personal connection with Galena is that my late grandfather was born & raised in Galena from 1910 through the late 30s before moving to Oklahoma to work on ranches. He always recounted this town of Galena as very impoverished during his childhood. Probably a good environment for used tires sales!
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