Despite the fact that I routinely crisscross the neighborhood, it was only recently that I focused on the vintage Standard Oil signage on the quaint BP Station located at Newstead and Laclede Avenues. I subsequently learned that Barry Williams, a longtime CWEnder who was Executive Director of the Central West End Association in 2004, was responsible for preserving the historic signage.
When I spoke to Barry on Friday afternoon he explained that the location was an Amoco station when that company was acquired by BP. Following the acquisition, green boards were hung to mask the Standard Oil signs located over the entry and the garage doors, shown above and below. Barry succeeded in tracking down a Vice President of BP in Chicago who "very kindly" listened to his pitch about the CWE being a beautiful historic neighborhood that cherishes its character, including old signage. The executive agreed to come to St. Louis to look at the building, and by June 2004 the masking boards had been removed and the original signage revealed, as it remains to this day.
I asked Barry, who's a very unassuming guy, if he'd received any recognition for his efforts. He said a couple of neighbors thanked him, "but I get enough thanks just driving by and seeing that Standard Oil sign…you just don't see that anymore."
Thus another piece of the neighborhood fabric was preserved, thanks to Barry's initiative and an open-minded corporate executive.
Yes, thank you! Beautiful nostalgia and city memory. I too get my gas there
I buy gas there regularly and always appreciate that sign as well as the old building. My thanks to Barry and to the BP executive!
Nice little historic station. I use it frequently. Thanks to Barry for recognizing the opportunity and taking action.
thank you, mr williams, we love living on the block with the historic signage still in tact. thanks nicki for highlighting!