Service stations offered more than gasoline to patrons

One thing definitely worth remembering about 50 years ago — the year I came to Fremont — were the service stations that took care of our cars when we were young.

It might have been the handy place you stopped for 50 cents worth of gas so the tank wasn't empty for dad in the morning.

It could have been the spot you traded stories about how quickly your pride and joy jumped away from the traffic light.

Maybe it was the place where the owner chatted at length about the funny noise you were hearing and charged you virtually nothing for fixing the problem.

Of course, the attendant washed your windshield and checked your oil after pumping your gas for some loose change.

Needless to say, there have been dramatic changes in the gas station landscape since then. Some have survived through the years; many of the locations have remained service stations under different ownership; others have simply disappeared, becoming parking lots or drug stores.

In 1965, even the downtown area had its share of service stations — especially just a little south of the busiest blocks.

At the corner of Birchard and South Front, where Grund Drug now serves the community, Bierly Sohio stood. Tom Merrill ran the show much of the time and later it became Merrill Sohio for many years, if I remember correctly.

And in 1965, the station had plenty of nearby competition. A half a block south and across Front Street, Miller Motors had a service station, according to the city directory, although I can't remember it.

Danny's Marathon was on the southeast corner of Front and Ewing and Decker's Texaco was farther south at Hayes Avenue. Mac's Sinclair Service Station was on the southwest corner of that Front and Hayes. The property also was the home to Mac's Cabs and later became the location for Montgomery Car Care.

The near downtown section of East State was also full of stations: Bridge Service Station at 111, Jim & Ron's Shell at 225, Paul's Sunoco at 321, Singleton's Pure Oil at 327, Standard Oil at 328 and Certified Oil at 400 East State.

There were far too many in the city to list them all; many of you have fond memories of one or more of them as former employees, customers or even owners.

Personally, I did a lot of business at the corner of State and Stone, both Gabel Oil on the southeast corner and Amor's on the northeast corner. The 1965 directory lists a Buckeye Mart service station in Potter Village, but that's another one that escapes my memory.

Bliss Sohio and Fremont Shell were at State and Wood and while one location is now a parking lot, the other continues as the home of a Shell service station. One corner that shows how things have evolved.

I'd be happy to hear and share any memories you might have of these or other stations.

Roy Wilhelm started a 40-year career at The News-Messenger in 1965, as a reporter. Now retired, he is writing about the history of some Sandusky County businesses.