Gas Stations
With the coming of the car, there was a need for a new kind of business in Center Point. In 1906, the first car owned by Center Point resident, Charles Manahan, was a Buick. The first gas station, Go Gas, came in 1910. It was built on Main Street where the LJL Hall now stands. In 1920, Mr. Jim Romine owned the business.
First gas station in town 1920. Jim Romine owner, Frank Hunter in Model T.
Ed Craig owned a Skelly station from 1939 to 1961. The station was located north of Go Gas on Main Street, where the pavilion is located today. Mr. Craig had purchased the station from Roy Mollenhauer. This is the same station that Ed Craig’s son, Dave, used for selling Maytag washers.
1954 located just north of LJL Hall, Main Street.
The southeast corner of Washington and Franklin streets was the site of gas stations for many years. Some of the owners were: Jim Doughtery; Berl & Harlan Staton (1948 Staton Standard); Ervin and Marvin Elgin (1949-1952 Elgin Bros. Standard); Chet Butterfield (1952); Connie Dunn (1957); Tom Kaut till 1962, Smokey Bryant & Bob Morarend (1964-1979); and Alfred Stark (1979-1986).
1954 station on SE corner of Washington and Franklin Streets.
Newman’s Skelly, 1954. Remodeled shortly, after this picture into the station known as Rhinehart’s Texaco.
In 1954, Dale Heins built a new DX Station Truck Stop on the southwest corner of Franklin and Iowa streets. The south part of the building was the This ‘L Do Café. In 1958, Bill Rhinehart took over the station. Then in 1970, Bill moved to the northwest corner of Franklin and Washington where he operated the Skelly, Getty, and then Texaco stations. Owners previous to Bill at this site were: Harry Brookman, Merle Newman (1949-1956), Wes Fagle (1957 to 1963), Simanek, Lyle McNeil and Bill Bolton. Bill Rhinehart retired in 1989 and his son, Kevin, took over the business and continues to operate it today.
Another gas station was located on the southeast corner of Main and State streets. The station had many owners including: Francis Lyman and Vaupel (1940s); Carleton Townsend (1940s and 1950s); and Dunham (1959). In 1954, the gas station was a DX station.
1954 station on SE corner of Washington and Franklin Streets.
Homer Lanning, then Delmar Fisher, and then Bob Hudson owned a second station, located on the northeast corner of Main and State streets. The Masonic/IOOF Hall was located on the second floor of the building.
Finally, the Comet Station was located just south of the Troup Veterinary Clinic.