Got an old brain? I need to pick it!!!!

[ericr]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

Anyone remember the kind of clock that was in your neighborhood service station?

wasn't it some big neon thing that hung high up on the building?

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by ericr

wasn't it some big neon thing that hung high up on the building?

I was thinking more as to those that hung on the wall inside. Most I remember ran on electricity and later, much later, on batteries. I was thinking more the wind up with a key.

[ericr]

let me complicate this a little: here in Ohio, when I was a kid, we had "Blue Laws" that made businesses close on Sunday. they were either not enforced on, or they exempted drug stores (which incidentally took advantage of it by selling everything from soup to nuts)

were gas stations exempt from Sunday closing laws?

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by ericr

let me complicate this a little: here in Ohio, when I was a kid, we had "Blue Laws" that made businesses close on Sunday. they were either not enforced on, or they exempted drug stores (which incidentally took advantage of it by selling everything from soup to nuts)

were gas stations exempt from Sunday closing laws?

I remember local gas stations were closed on Sundays here in Illinois and the only place for sure one could get gas was on the few Interstates then. I'm talking 50s, I'm sure they were all closed in the 30s. The father always made sure the car was full for a Sunday drive. I'm sure big city gas stations some were open. As for Drug Stores, closed on Sundays but....each store by turn were on call for an emergency prescription filling.

[31 Model A]

The Revere Rubber Company business card holder that arrived today is not a business card holder but rather a....paperweight, which is more understandable....I believe. Regardless, it's a nice addition.

[31 Model A]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Didn't see them mentioned. Do you remember S&H Green Stamps. We used to give them out at the station I worked at. I believe the started giving them out in the 30's.

I found some unused 1930s Green Stamps, a bit more than I needed, so if anyone needs a few to finish off some books, let me know.

Underneath the paperweight will be a good place for on display.

Cheers.............

[Cool Hand Lurker]

cigars
cigarettes
cigarillos

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker

cigars
cigarettes
cigarillos

What I remember was a cigarette machine and a box of cigars inside the glass counter. Saw no advertisement for either.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by jthomas6

Yeah, by my calculations, it would be rather difficult!

"Here I am in front of Todd's Grocery in 1932 selling Grit."
and
"I dug out of my trunk my 1934 framed photo of me and my wife, Grace Grit."

just don't add up!

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

MMMMM!!!! I need to make some changes, that me in ...1928!!! Yeah! That's it!!! and I can prove it too, just give me a week or so.

It wasn't in the same trunk but I found my old bag in another. Funny, it still held a couple of my last papers that I never sold dated Sept 1937. Grace and I divorced in 36. BTW, that little pennant and badge was my St Louis Browns Boys Brigade pin.

[johnsor]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

I too remember the ice blocks, 10 cents a block at the ice house. Put ten cents in and out came a block of ice. I remember putting my head inside the icebox on hot days too. I do have the gas stamps though Bill. You rest up now, cum'on back when ever yur a bit fit to typ sum more.

Don't have room for a pot belly, if I did, I'd have one for sure..............

In the late 40's when I worked in a gas station, gas pumps did not have automatic nozzle shut off when the gas tank was full. You had to lean down and listen for the whistle noise to stop. Most customers told you how many gallons they wanted or the dollar amount they wanted put in. We gave S&H green stamps and double stamps on Wednesdays. Oh, memories, I could go on and on.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Originally Posted by johnsor

In the late 40's when I worked in a gas station, gas pumps did not have automatic nozzle shut off when the gas tank was full. You had to lean down and listen for the whistle noise to stop. Most customers told you how many gallons they wanted or the dollar amount they wanted put in. We gave S&H green stamps and double stamps on Wednesdays. Oh, memories, I could go on and on.

Ah, the whistle! As I recall, most of the time it was a gurgle except on the Chevys. The Chevys had the whistle, like a long train coming out of the tunnel.
You really had to pay attention too or you could get an earful of gas when it topped off.
At the Clark station you had to beat the car to the pump and take your turn to whitewash the concrete curbing every day.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

Need to remember back, as far back as the 30s, whether you lived it, like I did , or from stories from your dad, granddad, etc. What was on the counter at the filling stations? I remember a cash register, a telephone, mini-tire ashtray, some candy maybe, logo matches...........do you remember anything that has stuck in your memory? Remember, before there was also a credit card slider sitting there too!!!!!

Cheers..........

MY MY!!! over 5000 views since this was just started. Lot's of memories, ideas and suggestions.....I'm all done, what I didn't dig out of my trunks, everything else has arrived. No room for anything else now...I've reached my limit, my goal ...thanks to all. Loved your memories....great to have them.......thanks for sharing.

Ed

[Mitch//pa]

SILENCE is GOLDEN
how long will that last

[chopt32]

free air pumps like ECO Tireflater and many others

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by chopt32

free air pumps like ECO Tireflater and many others

Welcome to the Barn....did you read the rules? Punishment for resurrecting old threads is a case of fine wine for the originator of the thread which is ....ME!!!!!

[daveymc29]

Free road maps of the state and the united states. Some even had maps of county roads and big cities nearby. When I was planning my escape from Idaho to California at age 13, I looked over those maps to plan my trip, me and my bicycle. I worried that I wouldn't be able to see my familiar landmark, Stack Rock, which I could see from most all of southwestern Idaho, so I eventually hopped a bus to Winnemucca and the greyhound to Oakland. Left the old Schwinn behind, never saw it again.

[barnstuf]

I grew up in a summer resort community and 2 summers I was gas pump attendant for a general store with postoffice. This was 1939 and 1940. Customers were local year rounders, summer folks who owned a cottage and the day tripper passing through. Our oil was dispensed in quart cars with a screw on top pouring spout, and I had to keep them filled from large drums in a shed near the store. You cranked a handle that pumped one quart to fill the bottles, then you turned it back to set for the next fill up. Every customer had his oil checked, windshield washed and gas was .18 per gallon.
In the general store the telephone was on the wall the same as our phone at home. My area did not have table top phones yet. The phone company man came about once and year and put new batteries in the phone. I made change for customers from the general store cash register and there were no automotive displays in the store. I worked 8 hours a day, 7 days a week from school closing for the summer until the day before it reopened.

[Brian in Wheeling]

You-hoo and Cokes in 6oz bottles, bulk oil, pump side service. if you couldn't afford new oil you could get used oil by the quart pumped out of the drum. repairing flats with hot patches or a boot if you had a blowout. Full service all around.

Brian

[Marshall57]

I don't know if anyone mentioned the restroom key chained to an engine block,,, LOL really I have seen 2X4s big pieces of metal with restroom blow torched into them, tire irons chained to them,,, LOL lots of funny things attached so they wouldn't walk off.

[Skeezixx]

Where is the cigarette machine?!