If you were to compile a list of the ten essentials for living in the northwest dating all the way back to the early 1900's, the gas pump would have to be high on the list. How often do you fill up today? Once a week or more? It has not always been so easy.
Photo courtesy Bill Kombol and Black Diamond History, circa 1940
The above photo shows Jack's Place service station located near the Green River Gorge. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it appears a hand crank was still required at Jack's and even a clear glass area above the pump where you could see the gas and visibly inspect it. Apparently getting dirt, water and other contaminants mixed in with the gas was a problem at the time and you needed to see it to be safe. I can just imagine the variability in volumes of actual gasoline pumped per crank.
The following graphic from SafeRack illustrates the history of pumps used over the years. Any of these look familiar?
Image courtesy SafeRack
Standard Oil claims to have established the first ever drive in Gas Station in Seattle in 1907, though the pumps and storage must have been pretty crude. How about an open tank for storage and you measured gas level in the tank to determine how much gas was pumped. Smokers need not apply. If you look at other historical photos taken in and around Black Diamond during this period, you will find virtually all of the above models used at one time or another. Follow these links to see:
- Garretts Service Station
- Black Diamond Garage
- Lake Sawyer Grocery
- Lombardinis Market and Gas Station (courtesy Bill Kombol and Black Diamond History)
So when could you begin pumping gas yourself? On June 10, 1964, John Roscoe flipped the switch to activate the first remote access self service pumps in the U.S. And the rest as they say is history - except in Oregon.
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