To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

1935 Gas Station Resurrection

S

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,114
Location
Minneapolis
HD FLHX said:
Stuart I hope you enjoyed your stay at the hotel & Perry treated you well.
Click to expand...

I did enjoy my stay, it's a very nice hotel. I liked the whole town. :) I'd recommend a visit to anyone, besides your station it seems like there's a lot to see and do, and that part of the state is pretty picturesque - lots of rolling hills and forests, it's not the flat fields stretching to the horizon many people would associated with Iowa.

Here are the pictures I took while I was there.

The Hotel Pattee.
attachment.php


The library inside the hotel. The place is an amazing example of Arts and Crafts decor.
attachment.php


A little alley adjacent to the hotel:
attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • hotel pattee.jpg
    hotel pattee.jpg
    105.4 KB · Views: 1,556
  • inside pattee.jpg
    inside pattee.jpg
    104.1 KB · Views: 1,556
  • alley.jpg
    alley.jpg
    131.6 KB · Views: 1,559
  • station 1.jpg
    station 1.jpg
    121.7 KB · Views: 1,554
  • station 2.jpg
    station 2.jpg
    96.8 KB · Views: 1,538
  • station 3.jpg
    station 3.jpg
    80.4 KB · Views: 1,548
  • station 4.jpg
    station 4.jpg
    84 KB · Views: 1,543
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
S

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,114
Location
Minneapolis
More pictures.

attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • mural 2.jpg
    mural 2.jpg
    85.1 KB · Views: 1,546
  • mural 1.jpg
    mural 1.jpg
    74.1 KB · Views: 1,545
  • inside station 2.jpg
    inside station 2.jpg
    153.9 KB · Views: 1,558
  • inside station 1.jpg
    inside station 1.jpg
    119.7 KB · Views: 1,553
  • station 5.jpg
    station 5.jpg
    79 KB · Views: 1,546
Last edited:
S

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,114
Location
Minneapolis
I was on my way to Oklahoma to visit relatives; my cousins own Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, which is about 30 miles west of Tulsa. Here's an aerial view of the track, and since this is the Garage Journal a shot of the inside of the shop - they mostly work with Spec Racer Fords, but other cars as well (on that day there were a couple Miatas, a Legend car, and one customer's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.)

attachment.php


attachment.php


Since it was on the way, I also stopped into Harry Epstein Tools in Kansas City - a tool fan could spend hours in that place browsing. I only bought a few small things, but it wouldn't be hard to drop some major $$$ there.
 

Attachments

  • hallett shop.jpg
    hallett shop.jpg
    115.7 KB · Views: 1,538
  • track.jpg
    track.jpg
    21.8 KB · Views: 1,520
OP
H

HD FLHX

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
1,100
Location
Central Iowa
Stuart in MN said:
I was on my way to Oklahoma to visit relatives; my cousins own Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, which is about 30 miles west of Tulsa. Here's an aerial view of the track, and since this is the Garage Journal a shot of the inside of the shop - they mostly work with Spec Racer Fords, but other cars as well (on that day there were a couple Miatas, a Legend car, and one customer's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.)

attachment.php

.
Click to expand...


Very cool, I had some aspirations in my younger days to work in a race shop for a Nascar team. I wonder every now and then how that would have turned out had I pursued it.

The alley way to the east of the Hotel is called Soumas Court. The statue of the guy sitting at the table is George Soumas, he was very instrumental mayor of Perry in the 80s/early 90s. Soumas Court is a very popular spot for summer weddings.

20190807_022453 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
I

iced98lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
1,065
Location
South Eastern SD
Everything is looking awesome Joe, that mural is top notch. It's obvious you've become a large positive influence in town, kudos to you for taking the time to have impact when others would simply dismiss it as no return on their investment. Clearly Perry is proud of the work you've done restoring the station and the good will you extend to those who live there or visit. Hope to be able to see the place in person some day as well.
 
S

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,114
Location
Minneapolis
The neat thing about Perry is they seem to have a big interest in preserving their history, even above and beyond what Joe has done. When I was there I walked around downtown, and it seemed like half the buildings are on the National Historic Registry, and have either been restored or are in the process.


So many places aren't concerned with that, and are just as happy to tear down the old and replace it with something new that does nothing to enhance the town.
 
OP
H

HD FLHX

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
1,100
Location
Central Iowa
I just heard about this last night..a sister newspaper to the Perry Chief in the next county to the east ran the story about the mural. Its the area the artist who done the mural lives. Same story, but I thought it was cool how they presented the picture on the top of the front page.


2019-08-18_05-53-00 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

I have been looking around for a light for the mural that didn't break the bank. i came across this LED security light at Menards that I think is going to work well. It has built in D to D sensors. I put it up temporarily (literally held on with bar clamps & an extension cord for power) to see how bright it is. It will be moved over to be centered when I permanently install it.

2019-08-18_01-09-37 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
2019-08-18_01-02-25 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

I came across a few old newspaper stories and advertisements pertaining to the station in the 60's

Page 5 of The Perry Daily Chief,published in Perry, Iowa on Tuesday, October 20th, 1959 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
Page 4 of The Perry Daily Chief,published in Perry, Iowa on Friday, March 20th, 1964 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
Page 1 of The Perry Daily Chief,published in Perry, Iowa on Thursday, May 23rd, 1963 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


In 1966 Keith moved to a new station on the east side of town and that was when Montgomery Ward leased the building. I finally found the announcement and grand opening ad for it. This also was the end for Perry Oil Company after 41 years.


Page 1 of The Perry Daily Chief,published in Perry, Iowa on Wednesday, July 6th, 1966 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20190818_125741 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20190811_011423 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


One of the other big events I had been looking for was a story about the December 1980 fire. Interestly to me was the back 60ft addition was being used as rented storage (which I didn't know anything about) with the front housing the vacuum cleaner/sewing machine/shoe repair business. The fire was in the bay with "Lubrication" above the door.

Page 1 of The Perry Daily Chief,published in Perry, Iowa on Wednesday, December 10th, 1980 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


A few recent pics I felt were post worthy....

20190815_183131 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20190813_220002 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20190817_023330 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
 
L

Loose Ctrl

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 21, 2014
Messages
759
Location
Upstate SC
Just when I think your station can't get any better you pull a fast one and post something new up. You know you have a winner when the town, the town's newspaper and the adjoining town's newspaper is reporting on you and giving you recognition. Guys like you are the ones that keep small-town America thriving. Thanks. I'm a small-town guy and lived in the same town and same house all my life.
 
OP
H

HD FLHX

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
1,100
Location
Central Iowa
BUGTHUG said:
Have you thought of lighting from the ground up?
Click to expand...

Yes, it was discussed. For a couple reasons I'm going with down lighting. First, it will be easier to get power to it and secondly we are trying to light up the area around it as a precaution to hopefully deter anyone up to no good.
 
Last edited:
F

Finallygotit

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Jul 6, 2013
Messages
4,082
Location
Tucson, AZ
Plus I would think that the winter snow would block the light. Of course that depends on how far off the ground you intend to mount the lights.


:beer:
 
X

XJSuperman

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
3,087
Location
Central Iowa
Finallygotit said:
Plus I would think that the winter snow would block the light. Of course that depends on how far off the ground you intend to mount the lights.
:beer:
Click to expand...
Wouldn't take more than a few minutes for a good light to melt the snow on it, but mowing, trimming, and protecting a light in the ground would be more trouble than its worth Im sure.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
X

XJSuperman

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
3,087
Location
Central Iowa
OP
H

HD FLHX

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
1,100
Location
Central Iowa
Joyce's niece was going through some old family pics and came across a couple of the station when it was Flowers by Joyce. They are dated 7-2-90. That would have been a couple years after the major renovation inside and out she did. This was also 6 or 7 years before the old Montgomery Ward building was torn down.

20191006_084022 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20191006_084058 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
I

IMCA38

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 21, 2007
Messages
999
Location
Bennet, NE
HD FLHX said:
Joyce's niece was going through some old family pics and came across a couple of the station when it was Flowers by Joyce. They are date 7-2-90. That would have been a couple years after the major renovation inside and out she did. This was also 6 or 7 years before the old Montgomery Ward building was torn down.

20191006_084022 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20191006_084058 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
Click to expand...


So was it Joyce who put the “Easter basket” out front?
 
S

shortykorte

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 1, 2014
Messages
8,039
Location
Tallahassee, Fl
Bring back the basket!!!!
Cool that you’re finding more history.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
 
L

Loose Ctrl

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 21, 2014
Messages
759
Location
Upstate SC
Good to see you're keeping the tradition going with Dino, Santa, and his sleigh. If I ever go north, I'm going to make it a point to stop by and give your security camera a wave and pet Dino.
 
B

Bears Fan

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
3,438
Location
Indiana
49113448297_c4985edf08_z.jpg


Come on!!! That has to be the coolest Christmas decoration ever! No one in the world has a Dinosaur pulling Santa Clause xmas
 
OP
H

HD FLHX

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
1,100
Location
Central Iowa
xtremek said:
How're the vehicles coming along?
Click to expand...


I've been working on the '51 F1 the last couple months. I miss having an old shop truck around so I'm trying to get this thrown together over the winter and have it road worthy by spring. I had an old Marquette wrecker boom show up at my door for sale earlier this fall that I couldn't pass up. It will be going in the '51. Patina finish with weathered Perry Oil Service lettering on the doors is the vision. I've done a mustang II IFS kit on coilovers up front, a TCI rear leaf kit outback. I borrowed the motor & trans out of the F100 for the cause. I've decided to go a different direction with that truck.

20191127_192152 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20191127_193942 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20191127_195234 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20190915_111714 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


Some of you may remember my old '50 F3 Shop truck I built about 5 years ago and sold just before the station property came up for sale. The '51 will be along the same lines, but way better.

20180715_060246 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


I have a couple small winter projects for the station. I'm going to put an island light between the pumps. I bought one of Gas Pump Heavens reproduction lights and a pole from the local steel supplier. I will also integrate a water spigot with a hose into the pole like many had back in the day.

20191103_183942 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

I stumbled across these cast iron letters on ebay a while back. I'm going to media blast them and paint them green. The current Perry Oil letters above the door on the front will be replaced with Sinclair and Perry Oil Co will be put above the west front door.

20191102_160356 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


A few random station pics

20191105_031333-01 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20191030_142502 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20191030_234820 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20191011_135331 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
2019-11-28_01-14-50 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
 
OP
H

HD FLHX

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
1,100
Location
Central Iowa
SkywalkerCR said:
Joe,

Can you elaborate on the front suspension on the new truck? Control arms look like they are from a kit. Great work as usual! Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

It is a kit, its whats referred to as a Mustang II IFS (independent front suspension) It called that because the basic design is a copy of the front suspension setup Ford used in the Mustang II. In the 80s it was pretty common for guys to cut the front crossmembers out of Mustang II's and graft them onto frames to give them ifs. Aftermarket companies noticed and started putting out kits. There are many variations from stamped steel control arms on a coil spring, to tubular control arms on coilovers or air bags. It gives you a lot of ride height adjustability, rack & pinion steering and disc brakes, plus they ride nice. The particular kit I used is from Speedway Motors.

20191201_105233 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom