LOUDONVILLE — The first “gas station” in Loudonville consisted of two large 1,000-gallon tanks on a raised brick platform, located along the Black Fork where the Loudonville Canoe Livery is now located.
One tank held kerosene, the other held heating oil at first and then gasoline later as time unfolded.
The platform allowed the tanks to be emptied via gravity, as no electricity was available, into a 100-gallon tanker. The tanker was divided into two, 50-gallon compartments to haul each type of fuel, and was pulled by horse to deliver to homes and businesses.
The fuel was delivered via the TWV&O (Wally) Railroad, which was built in 1893. The gas station was constructed shortly thereafter.
Eventually, a third tank was added to the station and by the 1920s the station offered Mica Axle Grease, Red Crown Gasoline, Atlantic Red Engine Oil and Capital Cylinder Oil.
More information on the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum can be found at this link.
