Location unknown, somewhere in America
This photo is on loan to me from a good friend who knows it is somehow connected with her family, but she is unsure exactly how. It was in an old trunk, along with a variety of tin types and cabinet cards, and the owner, knowing of my friend’s interest in family history sent them on to her. Well, my friend, knowing my interest in old photos sent them on to me.
For this week’s Sepia Saturday submission, I give you an old service station called Prest-O-Lite. They offered a standard size full capacity rubber case battery for $10.50. Note the old cars to the left and right of the business, and the business to the right is a tire store. There’s a sign on the picket fence to the left that says “ladies restroom.” I can only assume the men had one somewhere else…I hope! Anyone who knows anything about old cars is welcome to comment with information. This photo brings to mind how people used to service their own vehicles and make them last as long as possible, something we don’t really have the luxury of doing easily anymore. Autos are so complex that the independent service station has almost gone by the wayside. There are specialty shops for older models of Fords, BMWs, German cars, etc. but with all the electronics in the engine these days, it’s easier to take the car in to the dealer and pay the extra money, versus hoping Larry down on the corner knows what he’s doing.
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Who Were They? 