1920 - 1930

Gas Pump

Fair

from "Pieces of the Past" 2017 at the OSH T-176 Gas Pump Clarity in a murky market Among the largest objects in the History Center’s collection is this Gilbert & Barker Co. Model T-176 “visible” gas pump, circa 1930, from a Texaco station in Douglas. Visible gas pumps were a sign of quality and confidence in the early era of oil refining. Cloudy gasoline full of particles and debris would quickly mire down an auto engine, potentially leaving a motorist stranded far from home long before the era of cell phones. With its 10-gallon glass tank on top, illuminated from above at night, both the gasoline salesman and the customer could feel reassured that only clean, pure gasoline was being pumped. Dependable sidekick: Texaco Water Can In the era of full-service filling stations, a radiator check came standard. If the water level was low, a serviceman would top it off using this type of can with its specialized spout. During the 1920s, motoring culture took off. Gas stations and repair garages sprang up at every major corner and junction. Saugatuck and Douglas were home to several small service stations. Every service station was full-serve, and a check of the engine oil, coolant, radiator, and tires came standard with each fill-up. By the 1940s, the architecture of these stations took on a unique appearance based on standards set forth by each oil company. Saugatuck and Douglas’ earlier “Mom and Pop” filling stations were located in the village centers along the original route of US-31. When the Blue Star Highway was completed in 1938 and bypassed the town centers, more modern service stations opened up along this busy route.

Status: OK Status By: Mary Voss Status Date: 2015-09-14