Holliday's Garage, flood of 1936

Holliday’s garage in Cambridge, Ohio during the flood of 1936. The road in the background is old Rte 21 to Byesville. It went over the hill behind the present Taco Bell and Holiday Inn, continuing across the current Interstate 70 right-of-way. Holliday’s Garage was situated near the intersection of Rte 209 south and Woodlawn Ave. Sterling gasoline was the brand sold. Sterling was the low priced brand for Quaker State gasoline. The boy leaning against the tall visible pump is Max Cater, a well known Cambridge resident. The old bridge is long gone and the entire area has changed, but the floods continue!

The Spur service station in Cambridge, Ohio in the 1930s had plenty of gifts and give-a-ways for customers willing to purchase oil and gasoline products. The coupon system was used and the sharp dressed attendant was always willing to sell the Spur brand of motor oil. The station disappeared in the early 1960s but it is still remembered fondly as the station that gave coupons and gifts. The B&O railroad station was directly behind the station and the old water tank for the steam locomotives can be seen to the right.

This Sohio Ethyl gasoline sign was found in the loft of an old barn a mile from my home by total accident. I had stopped to look at the barn so I could reconstruct one similar to it, this sign was in the hayloft and the price was right. It now hangs in my pole barn at home. Remember to ask about petroleum signage and other artifacts when you can, the rewards may be fantastic!

This photo shows the Umstott Sunoco Service Station from the late 1930s. The location is Cambridge, Ohio at the corner of U.S. Rte 40 and Dewey Ave. Cambridge was sitting astride 3 major US and state routes in this time frame and gasoline stations were in abundance. This small Sunoco station has the usual advertising. Sunoco gasoline, Quaker State motor oil, Gates tires. The chances that they had the brand that you were looking for was high, we just wonder where they stored it. A typical small town service station that was eventually added onto over the years, allowed to decay and then torn down. Relatives still run a full service mini-mart style station on the opposite side of the intersection but the new station seems to be lacking the charm of the original.

Fire engines and fires have always held a fascination for people. To this very day the attraction remains almost mythical in its form. Fires and firefighting are not a quiet occurrence. The destruction of a building by fire has its own unique sound. A certain rumbling roar of combustion. The shouting of orders by fire officers and firefighters as they go about their duties and the unmistakable sound of the fire pumper as it supplies water under pressure to the fire scene. Altogether, the sounds produce a concert that inspires the adrenaline gland. Steam engines are almost human like in their sounds and noises. The steam fire pumper perhaps more so. The sharp noise of the boiler exhaust, the whirring of the fire pump, the surging of water pressure through hoses and the mixture of warm coal smoke and lubricating oil were enough to excite the senses. You knew you were at a fire of monumental proportions when the exhaust note was sharp and clear, the engine was rocking on its springs and the engineer was whistling for the coal wagon. By looking at the photo above, we can decipher a little information about firefighting in the early 1900s. Engine Co. 5 appears to be “at hydrant” and is supplying a 2 1/2″ supply line to the fire scene or another steam pumper out of sight. The engineer is tending to the boiler and pump and the engines hostler has unhitched the horses and removed them to safety. The hose wagon hostler remains in his seat, ready to lay another fire hose if needed and is watching the fire scene for possible orders. Those firefighters viewing this scene today will notice that with the exception of motive power and the passing of a hundred years, not much has changed. It’s still all here, all the basics of firefighting.

Pennsylvania Railroad Operator at Tyner, Ohio

The time frame is 1924 but the feeling of being in the Twilight Zone is pervasive. One Pennsylvania Railroad block station operator at the small out of the way tower of Tyner. There is no Tyner, Ohio to speak of, no nearby town, just the branch line track and a siding between Tyner, Post Boy tunnel and the Newcomerstown, Ohio yards of the Pennsylvania Railroads C&M branch. Undoubtedly a junior operator as no other operator would consent to be posted to such a lonely place. But the youthful operator seems to have things well in hand. His watch is hung near the calendar girl picture, his pencil and papers are at hand and he appears alert and confident. His control of this section of track is no less important than the operator who controls the Pan Handle Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad just a hill away. As you look at the photo you realize that time is perhaps only a quantum separation between then and now, stopped only by the quick action of a camera shutter. Forever frozen in time at Tyner.

Trailmobile factory delivery drivers in 1938 as they stop at the Hilltop Service Station on Rte 22 in Cambridge. Ohio. The Trailmobile factory was in Cincinnati, Ohio and the drivers would stop here for bunkrooms and refueling. The semi tractor appears to be a Chevrolet and the second tractor has had its front wheels removed and it is attached to the fifth wheel of the other. Notice the crude sleeper cab on the truck.

The Steam ferry “Russell” unloads workers on the Ohio River near Russell, Kentucky . The photo was taken about 1921 by an eccentric individual who wandered Southern Ohio on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with side car. He was a practicing boiler operator and took many photos of steam powered machinery and construction sites. He seems to have been fascinated with all forms of transportation as there are many early aircraft and railroad photos amongst his collection. He settled in New Concord, Ohio after helping to build additions to Muskingum College. The above photo shows a means of transportation long gone for many years on the Ohio River.

A SilverFlash service station in Byesville, Ohio about 1925. This station was owned and operated by the Peoples Oil Company of Cambridge, Ohio who managed several service stations in this area. Notice the “SilverFlash” signs on the visible pumps and the overhead sign. A well-kept station in a quiet neighborhood.

As local small town service stations and garages go, the Shaw and Larrick Garage in Byesville, Ohio was certainly an attractive and seemingly well built structure. Neat, clean and blending in with the neighborhood was certainly a plus and the attendants and owner seem to be above average in demeanor and appearance. The type of garage you would probably take your auto to for repairs in the `30s. Although the pumps date from the pre-visible pump days, they do not seem out of place. The immediate pump is a Tokheim “Victory” pump and the pump on the right (with oval globe) appears to be a product of the Wayne Pump Company. Look closely, as this photo shows what a combination of a few years, different owners and a different camera angle can do.