FILL THE TANK, CHECK THE OIL IN WATERVILLE, OHIO -----PART FOUR
In the earlier years of gas stations they were a service station, there to assist the customer. They would ask you if they could fill your tank up and check the oil and always washed your windshield. Many gas companies would have secret customers to make sure you did a good job and even gave gifts to the persons at the station. Today you fill your own tank! We will be doing a series of articles about the gas stations in Waterville that has been researched by Randy Studer.
SCHEUB GULF STATION @ 702 and 704 S. River Rd. - Gulf Oil Co. bought the property on February 20, 1956 from Dick Farnsworth and built a Gulf gas station and bulk plant on the property. It was operated by John Scheub from Grand Rapids, Oh. In August of 1961, Rolf Oberhaus was the new manager of the station and John Scuheb continued to be Gulf dealer and bulk distributor in the area. In 1964, it was listed as the Coss Gulf Station. On January 31, 1967, Lorraine Oil (Sunoco Oil) from Bowling Green, Ohio bought the 702 and 704 S. River Rd. parcels from Gulf Oil. They used the bulk plant behind the old Gulf station for their customers with oil, gasoline, fuel oil needs in the area. Ernie Blauvelt was the farm service representative for Lorraine Oil in Bowling Green, Ohio and had a Sunoco Station at 37 N. River Rd. Both properties were sold to France Stone Co. on October 23, 1973. The old gas station buildings are now being used by Gerken Products.
C&O TRUCK STOP # 1 – TEXACO – PHILLIPS STATION @ 10110 South River Road - The C &O Truck Stop and Restaurant got its name from the middle initials of the two who built it, Arthur C. Richardson and Kenneth O. Garmenn. Later on Richardson sold out his half to Carmenn. The fuel pumps and station building opened in 1954. The restaurant opened in 1956. In April of 1961, the station was rebranded to Phillips 66 products. The station was still open December of 1990. Date that it closed is unknown. The former restaurant is a gun store now and the garage was demolished years ago. There was another C&O Truck Stop #3 that was located on Rt. 6 Weston, Ohio.
J.L. METCALF OIL CO. & CONRADS GARAGE – BARNSDALL - CITIES SERVICE – CITGO – SUNOCO STATION @ 815 Michigan Ave. - In 1929, Jesse L. Metcalf started a successful business as a bulk station operator and delivering gas and oil products in the area. Metcalf purchased some property at 815 Michigan Ave., with an existing block building on the property. It was converted into a Barnsdall service station which was operated by Roy “Barney” Boggs (1934), Frank Sullivan (1938). Metcalf formed a partnership with Wilbur Klatt in the early 1930’s and it was known as Metcalf and Klatt Barnsdall Service, but later on Metcalf bought out Klatt’s interest in the company in the 1940’s. Starting on June 3, 1946, A.R. “Pete” Launder operated the Cities Service Station and garage. J. L. Metcalf died in March of 1947. His son Bill Metcalf took over the bulk gas and oil delivery business. In 1936, Carl Conrad went to work for the Graf Brothers Garage. In 1951, Carl Conrad bought the business but not the property and moved it to 209 Farnsworth Rd. behind Shepler’s Meat Market. In 1963, the building was sold to Robert Memmer (dba Memmer Ford.) Also in 1963, A.R. “Pete” Launder moved his business from 815 Michigan Ave over to behind his house at 307 South St. in a new building and it was a Gulf gas station. So in 1963, Conrad moved his business over to the J.L Metcalf Oil Co. building on 815 Michigan Ave. Conrad now operated the CITCO Gas Station and garage. Carl Conrad retired in December of 1978. The garage was sold to Richard Wiles. Bill Metcalf retired in 1982. In 1985, Waterville Bodyworks bought the property for their body shop.