1935 Gas Station Resurrection
- Thread starter HD FLHX
- Start date
mh70ss
Active member
Looks very nice Joe!
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
And a green cherry on top! It is a truly amazing place now.
HOTFR8
Banned
Great photos.
Hugo L.
Well-known member
If I was lost in the middle of Small-town USA looking for gas, I’d be pissed to stop at your place only to find out that it is not an actual gas station, LOL!
JC23
Well-known member
Okay I think we need a poll here to see what version people like the most
I don't think there's any doubt...
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Very cool!!
58Yeoman
Well-known member
Okay I think we need a poll here to see what version people like the most
I like the flower pot photo the best. NOT! It all looks great.
BaronVonVVankel
Well-known member
You must be the talk of the town
shortykorte
Well-known member
Of course the basket....
Only if Dino is splish splash he's takin' a bath (in basket), early on Saturday night.
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Only if Dino is splish splash he's takin' a bath (in basket), early on Saturday night.
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356vintage
Well-known member
Congratulations!
Toolfool
Well-known member
I think you need a floodlight and a security camera focused on Dino.
Loose Ctrl
Well-known member
Hell of an improvement. It's like stepping back in time.
53PontiacSD
Well-known member
Gee....looks like the basket may be outvoted....
Billy
Billy
pmason0
Well-known member
Dino look very cool!
Had to chuckle a bit when I was reading about the annual "Art on the Prairie" art festival downtown on the local news and seen they included a pic of Dino as "prehistoric art" 
From the Perry Chiefs "Did you know" feature
And probably the biggest surprise this week was when The Hotel Pattee shared some of Dino's pics from the station facebook page. The Hotel Pattee is a fully restored 100+ year old hotel a block west of the station. It is an absolute masterpiece.
From the Perry Chiefs "Did you know" feature
And probably the biggest surprise this week was when The Hotel Pattee shared some of Dino's pics from the station facebook page. The Hotel Pattee is a fully restored 100+ year old hotel a block west of the station. It is an absolute masterpiece.
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Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That's fantastic!! 
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
The Hotel Pattee looks like a pretty nice place as well - if I find myself needing a hotel room in the Des Moines area I'll have to check it out.
shortykorte
Well-known member
Wow and wow. Maybe you and the hotel have started something.
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58Yeoman
Well-known member
When is the celebration?
slik560
Well-known member
I was in Omaha this weekend, and about 45th & Center street there is a very much alive and operating Sinclair station. I thought of the re-creation of yours in Iowa, and I tend to forget that there are still Sinclair stations out there, open for business.
2fat2fly
Well-known member
That is truly awesome to have your hard work recognized in a way you probably never considered. I hope other property owners in Perry follow your lead and the hotel’s as well and begin to restore other old buildings in the area. Then your town could do walking tours of the historic buildings and thereby bring even more business and exposure of your hard work. You’ve created a masterpiece and I think it’s cool as anything can be.
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The downtown area has seen a lot of revitalization in recent years, but it all stems from the mid 1990's restoration of the Hotel, the carnegie library, and two old bank buildings. All of which were bank rolled by a lady who grew up in Perry then moved away to California and married into the very wealthy Ahmanson family. The actual dollar amount was never publicly disclosed, but most say it was in the 10 to 15 million dollar (mid 1990s money) range.
She done the corner building which is our city hall, the hotel as mentioned before and the buildings on the east side of the hotel plus the Old Carnegie library which is across the street from the hotel. For reference the area of Willis Ave that has a grass median is between 1st street and 3rd street. My station is on the corner of 3rd street.
One of the neatest building done in the last few years is the old Post Office which is one block north of the station. It was purchased and renovated by 3 local ladies who rent it out as event space now. Lots of weddings, receptions, and public events like the art festival are held there.
Probably the biggest project in the works right now is renovation of the old Woolworth building on the NE corner of 2nd & Willis.
She done the corner building which is our city hall, the hotel as mentioned before and the buildings on the east side of the hotel plus the Old Carnegie library which is across the street from the hotel. For reference the area of Willis Ave that has a grass median is between 1st street and 3rd street. My station is on the corner of 3rd street.
One of the neatest building done in the last few years is the old Post Office which is one block north of the station. It was purchased and renovated by 3 local ladies who rent it out as event space now. Lots of weddings, receptions, and public events like the art festival are held there.
Probably the biggest project in the works right now is renovation of the old Woolworth building on the NE corner of 2nd & Willis.
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don long
Well-known member
It must feel so good to be a part of the towns great history
Well done
I like the new Dino. It looks right at home
Don
Well done
I like the new Dino. It looks right at home
Don
Hugo L.
Well-known member
Sue them for unlicensed use of the image of your property.
Yes, I’m kidding. This is awesome, and that hotel is amazing.
Yes, I’m kidding. This is awesome, and that hotel is amazing.
95riosnake
Well-known member
That town looks truly idyllic. I have to say I'm pretty jealous, living in the hustle/bustle of Pittsburgh. It's really great to see there are many like-minded folks in Perry who see the value and beauty in these old structures. That post office is just incredible. Love the picture with the bowling lane table, rustic brick walls and exposed ceiling... gorgeous.
Loose Ctrl
Well-known member
Great pics. Women doing good in the world? Maybe I need to come to town. Not many of them kinds around here. 
ambenz
Well-known member
I am one of your biggest fans too!
I catch your pictures all the time on Facebook and realized when you started seeing people in the security camera, posing in front, that you transferred from a private garage to a curiator who now owns a museum.
I have visions.... this summer, of making the pilgrimage out to your fair city, as a destination point, just to park my Mustang convertible in front of dino and the pumps for a photo opportunity.
You can bet the bank that similar folks from all over the midwest want to go for a road trip to destinations like small town America. Towns like Amana, Iowa and Galena, Illinois come to mind. These small towns capture what uncumbered Mayberry like neighborhoods are all about!!! It sure is a big departure from the looting, murders, and crime ridden sprawling metropolitan communities of today.
I hope to checkout the town on my next road trip, your museum is on the bucket list!
A past roadtrip to Dwight, Illinois and the texaco station on route 66.
I catch your pictures all the time on Facebook and realized when you started seeing people in the security camera, posing in front, that you transferred from a private garage to a curiator who now owns a museum.
I have visions.... this summer, of making the pilgrimage out to your fair city, as a destination point, just to park my Mustang convertible in front of dino and the pumps for a photo opportunity.
You can bet the bank that similar folks from all over the midwest want to go for a road trip to destinations like small town America. Towns like Amana, Iowa and Galena, Illinois come to mind. These small towns capture what uncumbered Mayberry like neighborhoods are all about!!! It sure is a big departure from the looting, murders, and crime ridden sprawling metropolitan communities of today.
I hope to checkout the town on my next road trip, your museum is on the bucket list!
A past roadtrip to Dwight, Illinois and the texaco station on route 66.
Attachments
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58Yeoman
Well-known member
I am one of your biggest fans too!
I catch your pictures all the time on Facebook and realized when you started seeing people in the security camera, posing in front, that you transferred from a private garage to a curiator who now owns a museum.
I have visions.... this summer, of making the pilgrimage out to your fair city, as a destination point, just to park my Mustang convertible in front of dino and the pumps for a photo opportunity.
You can bet the bank that similar folks from all over the midwest want to go for a road trip to destinations like small town America. Towns like Amana, Iowa and Galena, Illinois come to mind. These small towns capture what uncumbered Mayberry like neighborhoods are all about!!! It sure is a big departure from the looting, murders, and crime ridden sprawling metropolitan communities of today.
I hope to checkout the town on my next road trip, your museum is on the bucket list!
A past roadtrip to Dwight, Illinois and the texaco station on route 66.
Yeah, I'd like to make the trek, but it's a 4 1/2 hour drive for me one way. I go to Iowa City twice a year, and it would still be a 2 1/2 drive from there. Not a stretch for the Escape, but a long drive for the 63 Galaxie, which is what I would like to take for the photo ops. Just never say never.
I've been past that station at Dwight, IL. Cool station there also.
Hugo L.
Well-known member
All the more reason to make this an overnight trip and stay at that wonderful hotel.
C_F
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The Art on the Prairie committee has commissioned 4 public art sculptures to be placed on the four corners of the Willis Ave boulevard that pay tribute to Perry's history. The first was placed in August. Its called "Born of Fire" and is a tribute to the late owner of the local foundry and all he has contributed to the town.
The second was placed late last week and is on the station corner. Its called "The Iowa Girl" and is a tribute to Roberta Ahmanson (lady who restored the hotel and other buildings) It plays off the designs found through out the hotel especially the marquee and front entrance.
An aerial pic I came across of the Willis Ave boulevard looking south. Top left is the Fareway grocery store, the blue building to its right is Napa. The station is to its direct north. La Poste (old post office) is on the bottom left. The greenish/grey roof building on the top right is the new library with the old Carnegie library museum to its left. The hotel is across the street from the library's. Side note the L shaped building on the bottom right used to be a Standard Oil station.
Not trying to portray Perry as a perfect little town. We have issues as every town does, but I'm proud to part of making it better and the quality of life that small town Iowa offers. I mean we still have a Ben Franklin, no big box stores and most stores close by 7pm and are not open Sunday.
Between the Hotel and La Poste weddings are a big draw to town. I found a video on youtube from somebodies wedding that was filmed in both places.
The second was placed late last week and is on the station corner. Its called "The Iowa Girl" and is a tribute to Roberta Ahmanson (lady who restored the hotel and other buildings) It plays off the designs found through out the hotel especially the marquee and front entrance.
An aerial pic I came across of the Willis Ave boulevard looking south. Top left is the Fareway grocery store, the blue building to its right is Napa. The station is to its direct north. La Poste (old post office) is on the bottom left. The greenish/grey roof building on the top right is the new library with the old Carnegie library museum to its left. The hotel is across the street from the library's. Side note the L shaped building on the bottom right used to be a Standard Oil station.
Not trying to portray Perry as a perfect little town. We have issues as every town does, but I'm proud to part of making it better and the quality of life that small town Iowa offers. I mean we still have a Ben Franklin, no big box stores and most stores close by 7pm and are not open Sunday.
Between the Hotel and La Poste weddings are a big draw to town. I found a video on youtube from somebodies wedding that was filmed in both places.
There is a Dino cam
Thanks Don, it has been a gratifying and very unexpected experience.
Pics do the old post office no justice, it is truly a work of art just as the hotel is.
I am one of your biggest fans too!
I catch your pictures all the time on Facebook and realized when you started seeing people in the security camera, posing in front, that you transferred from a private garage to a curiator who now owns a museum.
I have visions.... this summer, of making the pilgrimage out to your fair city, as a destination point, just to park my Mustang convertible in front of dino and the pumps for a photo opportunity.
You can bet the bank that similar folks from all over the midwest want to go for a road trip to destinations like small town America. Towns like Amana, Iowa and Galena, Illinois come to mind. These small towns capture what uncumbered Mayberry like neighborhoods are all about!!! It sure is a big departure from the looting, murders, and crime ridden sprawling metropolitan communities of today.
I hope to checkout the town on my next road trip, your museum is on the bucket list!
A past roadtrip to Dwight, Illinois and the texaco station on route 66.
Thanks Andy, that is very humbling to think somebody would even consider driving 5-6hrs just to see my little station.
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PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Iowa State Flag?
