Mobil Gas & Service Station 1938-Aft 1967

Moniteau County, Missouri

Mobil Service Station

Northeast corner of Hwy 50 & 87

1938-Aft 1967

Picture of the original building from the February 1, 1940 California Democrat

The Mobil Service Station was opened for business on July 2, 1938 by L. S. Combe. What later became known as the Nic Nac Cafe was started at the same time in the east end of this building.

In April 1938 what was known as the Heidbreder house was moved a block south and east. It was renovated in 2017-2018 and is still in use.

From 19?? until the building was last used as a service station in the mid 1970s or early 1980s [haven't found the exact time] the station went through several owners.

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From the April 28, 1938 California Democrat:

Start On New Station

Combe's New Plant to Include Several Departments

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Work on the new service station of the Moniteau County Oil company was begun early this week under the direction of L. S. Combe, owner, who is supervising until J. M. Shull, contractor, who has been ill the past week of tonsilitis can be on the job.

The station, located on what formerly was the Heidbreder residence property at the intersection of highways 50 and 87, will face the south and comprise a sales room on the west with office in the rear, and a cafe on the east which already has been leased to Kelley Garrett, with a lubritorium and was rack between the two. Pumps will be installed both on the south and west.

The station, which is to be one of the most modern along highway 50, with its grounds, will represent an investment of from $12,000 to $15,000, Mr. Combe said Wednesday.

Forrest Katschman who has been with Mr. Combe several years as manager of the White Eagle Service Station will be in charge of sales at the new institution while Mr. Combe continues to devote his time to bulk sales of gas and oils.

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Notice in the September 9, 1948 California Democrat telling of the sale from F. M. (Roe) Boggs to Walter Barnett.

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From the June 30, 1938 California Democrat:

Combe to Open New Station

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Establishment at Intersection Here one of Finest to be Found Along Highway 50

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The Moniteau County Oil Company's new Mobilgas Service station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87, where the Heidbreder residence formerly stood, will take place Saturday, July 2, according to L. S. Combe, owner of the company who is running a half-page advertisement relative to the opening in this issue.

Mr. Combe, on his lot 105 x 105 feet, has built one of the nicest stations to be found along highway 50 in Missouri. Its facilities offer the motorists an unexcelled, modern service.

Approvimately 10,000 square feet of concrete extended from the building to highway 50 on the south and to highway 87 on the west. Three self-computing gas pumps are centered to the south of the building and three to the west.

The station structure, 27 feet wide north and south and 66 feet long has the service room in the west end in which will be displayed tires and seasonable accessories. It has plate glass on the south and west and large windows on the east giving a view of the lubritorium in the center of the building. To the north of the service rooms is the Moniteau County Oil Company's office. both the service room and office are finished with white walls and stained woodwork. the men's toilet, equipped with a screened window and modern fixtures, opens off the sales room.

The building has all-steel sash windows throughout.

An overhead ventilation system has been provided for the building.

In the east end of the building is the cafe and it is the most beautiful of all. The floor is of hard maple. Wainscoting and the paneling about the fountain bar are of knotty pine. Above the wainscoting the walls are white. Installed in the west side of the room is the latest type of luncheonette fountain. Ten upholstered chairs are being installed today about the fountain bar and there are three tables designed to accommodate four persons each besides. To the rear of the fountain bar is a grill and to the north of the fountain a preparations room. There's plate glass on the south and large windows on the east. A door leads from the north to an area which will be graveled, planted to flowers and shrubs and made into a fountain-luncheonette outdoor service park.

The ladies rest room, which is between the lubritorium and cafe, is comparable in its finish and beauty to the bathroom of a new, modern home. An extra partition in it separates stool and lavoratory.

The exterior of the building is smooth, white stucco, trimmed in red.

J. M. Shull was Mr. Combe's contractor on the building and concrete, Wm. Zey & C. J. Bender on the plumbing and J. W. Stanley on the wiring. Mr. Combe says the co-operation which Roy Holmes, superintendent of the light plant, gave made it possible to produce an outstanding job of lighting, which includes 5,000 watts.

Forrest Katschman and Earl Simpson are in charge of the sales and service at the new station and Wm. "Bill" Ashal of the cafe. Mr. Combe devotes his time to the bulk sales of the company.

Special features for the opening Saturday will include a low price on ice cream sodas and favors for men, women and children.

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From the May 29, 1952 California Democrat:

Barnett Sells to Hofstetter

To Be Warehouse Manager for M.F.A.

Walter Barnett has sold Barnett's Mobil Station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 to Don Hofstetter of Eldon and will give possession about the middle of next week.

Immediately after turning over the station to its new owner, Mr. Barnett will become warehouse manager for the M.F.A. Co-op Association in California taking the place of Albert Smith, Jr., who will become manager of the M.F.A. at Pilot Grove June 1.

Mr. Barnett has operated the station since he purchased it from Roe Boggs almost four years ago. Previous to that he operated what now is the Scott Shop which he established soon after returning hom from three years service in World War II. Previous to the war he operated a grocery store where the Weingartner & Edwards liquor store now is located. He closed out the grocery store when he was called to military service. Mrs. Barnett is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Lehman.

Mr. Hofstetter, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Hofstetter near Bethel Mennonite church, worked in the Mobil station of Truman Allee in Eldon two or three years, spent a year with the chenical department of the M.F.A. Oil Company in Columbia and during recent months has been selling Cutiss Candy Company products around the Lake of the Ozarks.

Mrs. Hofstetter is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Aeschbacher near Bethel church.

Wm. Ponder who is working at the station for Mr. Barnett will continue there with Mr. Hofstetter.

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From the June 9, 1955 California Democrat:

Remodel Mobil Service Station

White Porcelain To Cover Sides

Remodeling at the Mobil Service Station at the junction of highway 50 and 87 were begun Friday.

The present building which also houses a cafe, will be covered with white porcelain and large plate glass windows will be installed in the front. The office will be enlarged and other details about the station will be made more modern and covnenient.

The present station and cafe were built in 1938 by L. S. Combe who purchased the location and large residence from the Heidbreder heirs. The house was purchased by the late J. E. Williams and removed from the lot to South High Street where it was converted into four apartments.

Earl Simpson and Forrest Katschman were the first to operate the service station when it was completed, and Combes operated the cafe for a while, and then leased it to William Asahl. Asahl operated the cafe for a number of years before he sold it to Ray Neiderwimmer. The present operator is Leroy Welch.

Mr. Combe sold the building to the Socony Vacuum Oil Co. a few years after he erected the building.

Remodeling of the building is being done by O. R. Powell, as contractor from Topeka, Kans. Don Hofstetter who operates the Mobil Service Station in the building said Wednesday that the remodeling work was expected to be completed within a month.

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From the December 22, 1955 California Democrat:

Shikles Buys Mobile Station

Don Hofstetter Goes To Bixlers

Leroy Shikles has purchased the Mobil Service Station at the intersection of U. S. Highways 50 and 87 [Ed. note: Hwy 87 is a state highway, not US highway] from Don Hofstetter. Shikles took possession of his new business Tuesday morning.

For the past three years Mr. Shikles had been an attendant and tank wagon operator at York's Skelly Service Station across the street west of the Mobil Station. He came here from near Russellville and purchased a home at 1110 Roache Street where he and his wife Betty and daughter Diana Kay, 6, and son Richard Leroy, 4, are living. Mr. Shikles is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Shikles o near Russellville. Mrs. Shikles is the former Miss Betty Glenn. They are members of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Hofstetter had owned the station since June 2, 1952. He purchased it from Walter Barnett.

He plans to begin work as an L-P gas service man in February for Bixler Brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Hofstetter and 13-month-old daughter Sandra Elizabeth plan to continue living at 305 Versailles Ave. Mr. Hofstetter owns a 43-acre farm west of Latham which he purchased a number of months ago from his grandparents, the late Everett Knife, and Mrs. Knife who lives in this city.

The Mobil Station was erected in 1938 by L. S. Combe who operated it for a number of years.

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From the March 14, 1957 California Democrat:

Binkley Buys Mobil Station

Sale Made by Leroy Shikles

Elmer (Doc) Binkley, a former resident of this city has purchased the Mobil Service Station located at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 from Leroy Shikles. Mr. Binkley took possession last Thursday and will operate under the name of Doc's Mobil Service Station.

Mr. Shikles, who purchased the business 13 months ago from Don Hofstetter, has become a route salesman for a Jefferson City bread company.

Mr. Binkley was reared here and graduated from California High School in 1943. Following graduation he served in the U. S. Seabees for three years and worked on the West Coast for several years after discharge. He returned here and worked on the railroad. During this time he purchased the Shell service station at Centertown, which he operated for four and one-half years. Also during the past three years he has been in the insurance business.

Mr. and Mrs. Binkley have moved from Centertown and are now living in the Herald apartment building downtown. They have two sons: Gene Harris, who is now serving with the navy; and Harlan Harris, who will be a freshman in the R-1 School here next fall.

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From the May 19, 1960 Moniteau County Herald:

Leroy Hays Rents Mobil Station

Binkley to Full Time Railroad Job

Leroy Hays has leased the Mobil Gas Service Station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 and purchased the equipment and merchandise from E. E. (Doc) Binkley. He took possession Monday morning. Hays had been an attendant at the station for the past four months. He is a son of Mrs. O. M. Lingingston south of town, and the late Cecil Hays.

Mrs. Hays is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sid Ferguson north of town. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have a 2 1/2 year old daughter Brenda. They reside at 605 Randolph Street.

Mr. Binkley will devote full time to his work as brakeman on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He had kept his work with the railroad during the 3 1/2 years he operated the service station. He was assigned to night runs from Jefferson City to Kansas City.

Mr. and Mrs. Binkley live on South Oak Street in property they purchased from Trooper and Mrs. Harold Priess who moved to Kirkwood.

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From the September 1, 1960 Moniteau County Herald:

Jay Dunnaway Buys Mobil Station

Former Resident of Versailles

Jay Dunnaway has purchased the Mobile Service Station at the junction of Highways 50 and 87 from Leroy Hays. He took possession Tuesday.

Mr. Dunnaway came here with his wife and son Morris 12 and two daughters Judy 11 and Patsy 9 from Ontario Calif., six weeks ago. The family live on Cedar Street. Mr. Dunnaway is a native of Versailles. Mrs. Dunnaway is the former Miss Leanna Moser, daughter of Maggie Moser and a sister of Mrs. Brooks Chambers, both of this city.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunnaway are members of the Christian church. He is a Mason.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunnaway lived in Ontario for ten years where he was a carpenter for Kaiser Engineers.

Mr. Hays bought the Mobil Station from E. E. Binkley four months ago. He said Wednesday that he was undecided as to his future work.

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Former President Truman visits California in January 1961

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From the May 11, 1961 Moniteau County Herald:

Bolinger Buys Mobil Station

Dunnaway to Resume Carpenter Trade

Jay Dunnaway has sold his Mobil Oil Co. Service Station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 to Buddy Bolinger.

Bolinger will take possession of his new business June 5. He is presently attending the Mobil Oil Co. school in Kansas City.

Bolinger is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ward Bolinger south of town.

Mr. Dunnaway came to California last June with his wife and children from Ontatio, Calif. He purchased the service station last September from Leroy Hays.

Mr. Dunnaway plans to resume his trade as a carpenter. He had previously been engaged in that work in California for a number of years.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunnaway live on Madison Street in a new house which Golder Kaiser built.

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From the January 17, 1963 California Democrat:

Kieslings Buy Mobil Station

Plan Grand Opening Soon

Ed Kiesling and son, Dean, have purchased the Mobil Service Station at the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 87 or Oak Street, from Buddy Bolinger and his brother, Freddie Bolinger.

Mr. Kiesling and son will take possession of the Mobil Station Monday, Jan. 21.

The Bolinger Brothers had owned and operated the station since Jan. 6, 1961. The plan to devote their entire time to their farms south of town.

Dean Kiesling had been employed at the Phillips 66 Service Station on Highway 50 for the past three years.

Mr. Kiesling also will continue to farm. He owns and lives on his 164 acre farm north east of town and also farms other land. He puts in a crop of 600 acres each year.

The Kieslings plan to have a grand opening in about three weeks after some new pumps are installed and some improvements made.

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From the February 24, 1966 Moniteau County Herald:

Mobil Station Change Hands

Ken Grapes Buys Out Ed Kiesling

Ken Grapes of Arrow Rock has purchased the Kiesling Mobil Service Station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87. The change of ownership was effective Monday morning.

Mr. Grapes was formerly in construction, working with a firm out of Moberly.

He and his wife, Virginia, moved a mobile home into a trailer court in the city last week. Grapes have two daughters, Vicky Lynn 7, Lisa Gay, 4, and Pamela Sue, one and a half years old. They attend the Methodist church.

Mr. Kiesling owned and operated the station since January 1963. He is a school bus driver and clerks public sales. It is due to the demand of these jobs and his form that he decided to sell the station.

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From the October 19, 1967 Moniteau County Herald:

Mobil Station is Back in Business

The Mobil Service Station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 in California opened for business Wednesday after being closed for the past six months. Jerry Jobe, High Point, is the new manager.

Mr. Jobe is a graduate of Linn Technical School and had been employed in Jefferson City.

Ronald Porter and Bob Asahl have been employed as attendants.

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