Union Oil gas station, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, circa early 1940s
Judging from the 1940 Chevrolet getting gas in this Union Oil service station, it’s likely that this oh-so-film-noir-ish night shot was taken some time in the early 1940s. If you look at the street lighting in this picture, you’ll see that the lamps are all the “Wilshire Special” which became prevalent along Wilshire Blvd starting in the late 1920s. And get a load of that cute mascot lit up in neon—can anyone tell me if he had an official name?
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Minute Man
Thank you, Denise! I figured it would have been something like that.
According to a friend of mine who worked at the Union 76 station at Angeles Crest and Foothill in the 1960s, one minute was all it would take for the attendant to check your oil, wash your windows, check your tires, etc. Hence “Minute Man”.
Thanks PDQ. I figured it was something like that.
So, I gather he’s running in mid-stride? That’s what we’re seeing? Wow
Yes, Rich. He’s called “Minute Man” because they claim was that they could gas up your car in one minute – so he’s RUNNING
He reminds me of the McDonald’s Speedee. Wonder if both were designed by the same company.
Yes, Gordon! He is similar, isn’t he? And pretty much the same concept – “we promise you fast service!”
Is that a ghost next to the car at the pump island? Perhaps it’s the ghost of Gaylord Wilshire, developer of a good deal of this famous corridor.
Until proven otherwise, Clarkus, let’s assume it is!
Looks like my fathers station on the corner of Wilshire and Union Downtown.
He owned it from about 1949 until he became a Los Angeles Policeman in 1956. It was torn down to build a High School