Select Page

Stop 6

Stop 5 Group Filling Station Museum Quincy FL
6A- Standard Oil Metal Sign
6B- Phillips 66 Sign
6C- Round Standard oil Sign
6D- No Smoking Sign & Photo Group

6A – Standard Oil Sign

6A Standard Oil Sign at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL
Dating back to the 1920s or 1930s, this emblem was prominently displayed on gas station walls or poles to signify the formidable presence of Standard Oil, a leader in the early 20th-century petroleum sector, with a logo that exuded strength and dependability through its bold and uncomplicated design.
Fun Fact:
Secret Pipelines and Rivalries: Standard Oil’s successors maintained secret pipeline networks in the 1920s to outmaneuver competitors, a legacy of John D. Rockefeller’s tactics. These pipelines helped Standard Oil companies maintain low shipping costs, but they also fueled rivalries with emerging brands like Texaco, which built its own pipelines to challenge Standard’s dominance in the West.

In 1911, a significant decision was made by the Supreme Court when it ruled under the Sherman Antitrust Act, resulting in the dissolution of Standard Oil into approximately 34 to 39 distinct entities.  Notable examples of these companies include Standard Oil of New Jersey, which eventually became Exxon, Standard Oil of New York that transformed into Mobil, Standard Oil of California now recognized as Chevron, and Standard Oil of Indiana that evolved into Amoco. This pivotal moment in history not only reshaped the oil industry but also laid the groundwork for modern energy markets. 

Fun Fact:
Leaded Gasoline Launch: In 1923, Standard Oil of New Jersey partnered with General Motors to introduce leaded gasoline, branded as Ethyl, to prevent engine knock in cars. This innovation, driven by the demand for higher-performance vehicles, became a standard in the industry but was later phased out due to health concerns in the 1980s.
This porcelain on metal sign epresents Standard Oil’s early 20th-century dominance in the U.S. petroleum market. It is most likely tied to its post-breakup branding and promoting innovations in fuel technology.
By the 1940s, these porcelain signs began yielding to metal and plastic alternatives, but this weathered piece, with its faded yet evocative charm, stands as a rare survivor of that petroleum history.

6B – Phillips 66 Sign

6B Phillips 66 Sign at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

This large porcelain over steel Phillips 66 sign, likely from the 1950s, captures the iconic shield-shaped logo that defined the company’s identity in the mid-20th century.

The Phillips Petroleum Company was founded in 1917 by brothers Frank and L.E. Phillips in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the company had grown into a major player by the 1950s, with a focus on refining, marketing, and innovation in petroleum products.
Fun Fact:
What’s In A Name:  Introduced in 1927, Phillips 66 was named after a test where a car using their high-octane gasoline hit 66 mph on Route 66, tying the brand to the iconic highway and the era’s car culture.

Phillips 66 was a leader in petroleum innovation and

also made significant strides in the chemical sector. By the late 1940s, it had formed the Phillips Chemical Company, and in the 1950s began producing Marlex, a high-density polyethylene plastic. This breakthrough led to widespread applications, including the production of durable plastics for consumer goods, showcasing Phillips’ diversification beyond traditional fuels.
Fun Fact:
Hula Hoop Craze: In 1958, Phillips 66’s innovation in plastics led to an unexpected cultural phenomenon—its Marlex plastic was used to manufacture the first Hula Hoops, which became a nationwide craze, selling over 100 million units in two years.

Ironically, due in part to Phillips Chemical Company, these massive porcelain signs began to fade from use in the late 1960s, replaced by lighted plastic signs as stations modernized. 

6c- Round Standard Oil Sign

6C Standard Oil Co. Round sign at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL
This 30″ round Standard Gasoline and Motor Oil sign, crafted in the 1920s or 1930s, once marked Standard Oil’s territory at gas stations across the U.S..  This sign likely hung above pumps or on an exterior wall.
The circular design, with its bold red ring and “STANDARD” lettering intersected by a black bar, reflects the company’s post-1911 breakup branding, used by successors like Standard Oil of Indiana to maintain a unified identity despite fragmentation.
Fun Fact:
The First Gas Station Jukebox: Standard Oil of Indiana (later Amoco) is credited with installing one of the first jukeboxes in a gas station in the late 1920s at a location in Chicago. This station offered music to attract customers and create a lively atmosphere, a trend that became a staple of American roadside culture.
Standard Oil’s successors played a role in shaping rural America. They established thousands of gas stations in small towns, often providing credit to farmers during the Depression, which helped sustain rural economies but also tied communities to their products, reinforcing brand loyalty.
Fun Fact:
Supporting Early Air Mail: In the 1920s, Standard Oil of New Jersey supplied aviation gasoline for the U.S. Postal Service’s early air mail routes, including the first transcontinental air mail flight in 1926, helping pioneer commercial aviation by ensuring planes had reliable, high-octane fuel for long distances.

6D – No Smoking Sign & Photo Group

6D No Smoking and Photo group at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

No Smoking Sign: This 18″ x 5.5″ cobalt blue and white porcelain-on-metal No Smoking sign, likely from the 1930s to 1950s, served a critical safety role at gas stations, where it was mounted near fuel pumps or on station walls to warn against the dangers of open flames. Its bold, high-contrast design ensured visibility, reflecting the era’s growing emphasis on safety.

(Not So)Fun Fact:
Fire Hazard Fines: By the late 1930s, some states began enforcing strict fines for smoking near gas pumps—up to $50 (equivalent to over $1,000 today)—prompting oil companies to mass-produce signs like this one. They were often distributed free to station owners to avoid liability and comply with new fire codes set by the National Fire Protection Association.

Photo Group:  This Photo group displays Quincy’s rich history in petrolium. More information on these photos coming soon.

Previous Stop
Next Stop

Come On In!

Tuesday - Saturday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM