Stop 4
4A- Citizens “77” Porcelain Sign
4B- Texaco Star Logo Porcelain Sign
4A – Citizens “77” Porcelain Sign
This impressive 65″ round porcelain sign featuring the Citizens “77” logo is a striking artifact from the 1930s to 1940s, a period when Citizens Gas Company, based in Ohio, was expanding its reach in the petroleum industry. With its vibrant red, white, and blue design—a leaping greyhound and the number “77”—this sign was mounted on gas station poles, walls, or rooftops to attract motorists along highways.
The greyhound symbolized speed and reliability, aligning with the brand’s promise of high-performance fuel. Citizens “77” gasoline, introduced in the 1920s, was marketed as a premium fuel.
By the 1950s, these porcelain signs were gradually replaced by lighter plastic and illuminated signs, but this well-preserved piece (#IR56) remains a rare emblem of America’s automotive past.
Fun Fact:
During the 1930s and 1940s, the Citizens Gas Company’s greyhound logo on the “77” signs was not only a symbol of speed but also drew inspiration from the popularity of greyhound racing in the U.S. at the time. This sport, which peaked in the 1930s with tracks across the country (including Ohio, where Citizens was based), provided a cultural connection that resonated with the company’s marketing of high-speed, reliable fuel—implying that Citizens “77” gasoline could match the agility and performance of a racing greyhound. This clever association tapped into the era’s fascination with speed, both on the racetrack and the open road
4B -Texaco Star Logo Porcelain Sign
This 72″ round Texaco sign, with its bold red star and green “T” logo, shines as a classic piece from March 1, 1960, as noted at its base. Made in the USA with durable porcelain, it once hung proudly atop gas station poles or along highways, its vibrant colors catching the eye of passing drivers.
Texaco, founded in 1901, solidified its iconic star logo by the 1920s, a symbol of quality and reliability that evolved into this streamlined design by 1960, reflecting the brand’s enduring presence in the petroleum industry.
Fun Fact:
The sign’s significance lies in its representation of Texaco’s mid-century branding, a time when the company was a leader in motor oil and gasoline, sponsoring events like the Indianapolis 500.
By the late 1960s, such porcelain signs were increasingly replaced by plastic and neon versions, but this well-preserved relic remains a vibrant snapshot of the era.
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