What to Expect......
On the outside you'll find a pair of restored
Clock Face gas pumps built by Martin & Swartz sitting on a
reconstructed crescent shaped pump island and a set of authentic
light poles
and fixtures. Sitting on the top of the pumps are
colorful illuminated glass globes which bring the pump island to
life. Each pump has a visible sight glass that allowed the gas
to flow through while turning a small impeller indicating that
product was indeed flowing. On the corner, a magnificent
fluted tapered boom style sign pole with a pair of original SEARS
Oval signs hang over an air scale made by the Toledo Air Scale
Company. The signs are illuminated with porcelain reflector
shades mounted on cantilevered arms. The Air tower has a
retractable hose reel in it's belly and an attractive illuminated
globe, this rare scale sits on a reconstructed tapered concrete
base.
To the left of the building is a drive over Oil
Change pit. Nothing against today's Quick change oil locations,
but this was being done 75 years ago at the HP Sears Oil Service
stati
on. The pit allowed a car to drive onto a set of steel ramps
that spanned the pit leaving the entire undercarriage of the vehicle
accessible from in the pit. The service attendant could now
use the convenient stairs located at the head of the pit to walk down under the car and change the oil. There was a tethered
funnel mounted on the pit wall that emptied into a underground
storage tank alleviating the need to handle or carry used oil for
the work station. Various grades of Sears Branded oils were
available at the pit from underground storage tanks. Another
Toledo Scale air scale is mounted on a platform adjacent to the pit
as a convenience to both the attendant or customer to add air to
their tires while getting an Oil change. This scale is very
unique as it has a balancing arm scale behind glass that claimed to
actually weighed your air before dispensing it. Although not
illuminated, another authentic light pole and fixture stands next to
the scale.
On the building sidewalk located each side of the
building sets a pair of restored Erie Clock face pumps very similar
to the ones on the Pump Island. These too have the colorful
illuminated globes mounted on top. Between the four pumps,
various grades of Gasoline and Kerosene were offered. Two
fully reconstructed fences that doubled as billboards flag the
building like wings. Each billboard fence has an advertising
sign located in the center with original ad phrases and are
illuminated by cantilevered porcelain shades as well.
The
building itself is a thing of beauty with its
orange tile roof, brilliant white stucco exterior and curved fascia.
Colorful red and blue porcelain tiles trim the building while rows
of incandescent lights mounted under the eaves light the building
like a monument. Inside expect to find a wide variety of
period orientated items form a radiator nozzle spout to a wind up
time clock. Hand crank style pumps mounted on the floor fed
from underground tanks delivered oil for customers. The
showcases are filled with nostalgic items of the past.
Sign our guest book and chat with our
knowledgeable volunteer staff, there are endless artifacts to view
and reminisce over.
