Gas Stations

25 artifacts in this set

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The staff at The Henry Ford

Gasoline is a competitive business. Brand loyalty is fleeting, and customers often choose a station simply based on which side of the road it occupies. Early retailers attracted customers with courteous service, clever architecture, clean restrooms and, above all, convenience. Gas pumps changed along with motorists' needs, evolving from simple hand-cranked mechanisms to sophisticated electric pumps that calculated quantity and cost.

Detailed Description

Conoco Gasoline Filling Station, 1915

Service station

Samuel W. Raymond built this filling station in 1915. It serviced automobiles in Adrian, Michigan, providing gas, oil, and water. Raymond used a glass tank to show drivers the amount of gasoline they purchased and claimed to be the first visible-delivery gasoline station. Cars lined the street for service. In 1930, when the street was widened, the station was donated to The Henry Ford.