15 Gas Station Traditions From the 1950s That Drivers Today Rarely See

Gas stations of the 1950s were not just places to stop and fill up gas; they were small service centers geared toward supporting the burgeoning travel culture of the time. Many gas station attendants did a lot of work for motorists, such as filling gas, cleaning windshields, checking tires, and checking radiator fluids. Travelers also appreciated the practical conveniences of cold drinks, free road maps, and clean facilities. The gas station staff also wore company uniforms, which was a source of company pride, giving the gas station a more professional appearance. Many gas stations also offered motorists mechanical advice, lubrication, and even credit to loyal customers.

1. The Full-Service Pump Ritual

The gas stations of the 1950s had their own routine, which began as soon as a vehicle entered the gas station parking lot. An attendant, dressed in his crisp uniform, which normally consisted of a shirt, cap, and name tag, sprang to life to attend to the vehicle’s needs. The attendant would greet the motorist nicely and ask how much gas was required. The motorist remained seated in his vehicle as the attendant removed the cap from the vehicle’s gasoline tank and proceeded to insert the pump nozzle. These were normally big-name gas stations, such as Texaco, Shell, and Gulf, which had their own routine that their attendants were expected to follow to the letter.

2. Free Road Maps at the Counter

At gas stations across the country in the 1950s, there was a neat, well-stocked rack filled with colorful paper maps. Every year, oil companies such as Esso, Mobil, and Sinclair produced millions of such maps and gave them out for free to travelers. If the driver pulled up at the gas station, the attendants were always ready and willing to assist in any way they could, such as providing a map for the next part of the journey. The maps were small enough to fold up and place in the glove compartment. Vibrant colors were used to draw the highways and routes all over the country. To families going on a road trip, such maps were a necessity since the navigation system was yet to be invented.

3. The Air Hose and Tire Check Routine

Along the pumps of the 1950s, there was often a metal air machine with a long rubber hose just waiting. Checking the tire pressure was a regular part of stopping for gas. The attendants usually took care of this as the tank was being filled, kneeling down beside the tire, pressing the gauge onto the valve, and listening for the faint hiss of air escaping. If the tire was found to be low, they would crank up the air with the hose until the pressure was right. Getting the tires properly inflated was very important because it would improve the mileage and prevent a blowout. People would trust the skill of the gas station worker to properly take care of their tires on the road.

4. Glass Bottle Coca-Cola Coolers Beside the Pump

A lot of gas stations in the 1950s had a big metal cooler filled with ice-cold glass bottles of Coca-Cola and other soft drinks located right next to the service area. The cooler was usually located near the office door or next to the pump island, so travelers could grab a cold drink while the gas tank was being filled. Open the metal lid, and there they were, rows of cold drinks in crushed ice. A traveler would put a few cents on the counter, calm their nerves a little, and then take a drink as they stretched their legs during a brief stop. The bottle opener was located on the cooler, attached to the side so it wouldn’t get lost.

5. Motor Oil Display Shelves Behind the Counter

In the small office within the office of a mid-century gas station, there were rows of brightly colored metal cans filled with oil. Brands such as Quaker State, Pennzoil, Valvoline, and Havoline were neatly arranged, with labels and colors so vibrant they would catch the driver’s eye. Service crews would enter this small office and take a fresh can when the oil was low. They were simple in design and had a spout so they could pour the oil right into the engine. From the driver’s seat, the customer would witness the hood staying up as the oil was checked. This was done regularly so the engine would run smoothly in a time when cars required constant oil changes.

6. The Station Bell That Announced Every Arrival

Throughout the 1950s, it was common for gas stations to string together a simple metal bell connected to a rubber hose stretched right across the driveway. When a vehicle drove over this hose, it would ring the bell in the office of the gas station. The sharp, brief sound of this bell would alert the staff in the office that someone had arrived at the pump to be serviced. They’d come out to greet the driver and begin servicing their vehicle right away. The little device guaranteed that no vehicle arriving at the station would pass unnoticed, regardless of how busy the staff was in the office or in the garage servicing another vehicle.

7. Restroom Keys Attached to Giant Objects

While it is true that in the 1950s, gas stations did have restroom facilities for travelers, it wasn’t exactly about that little piece of metal. It wasn’t exactly about the key either, but rather it was attached to something large, like a thick wooden block, a thick plastic tag, or something irregularly shaped made of metal. The irregularity of it all wasn’t for show; it was to ensure that the key wasn’t slipped into a pocket and walked away with. The thick piece of something made it impossible to forget or to slip it into a pocket unnoticed. When a driver wanted to use the restroom, the attendant would provide the key with a warm nod of welcome.

8. Trading Stamps With Every Fill-Up

In the heyday of the 1950s, gas stations would run such popular trading stamp schemes. While people were paying for their gas, the attendants would give them small stamps that they could collect in special booklets. Brands such as S&H Green Stamps and Blue Chip Stamps were popular during this time. Each stamp had a predetermined value, and people would lovingly glue them into the booklet. Over time, the stamps would add up in the booklet. Once enough stamps were collected, people would be able to trade them in for household items. The variety ranged from kitchen items to toys and decorative items. It was as if the shopping experience was a bit more intriguing for the average consumer.

9. The Windshield Washing Bucket Stand

One can picture the scene common at nearly every gas station in the 1950s: a metal container of soapy water and a squeegee with a handle long enough to reach across the windshield. The container rested on a simple stand next to the gas pump, within easy reach of the gas station attendant. As soon as the gas pump was inserted into the gas tank, the gas station attendant picked up the squeegee and began to wash the windshield. In the 1950s, it was common to drive on the road and have the windshield full of dust, mud, and the remnants of insects that had splattered on the windshield during the trip.

10. The Free Radiator Water Check

In the 1950s, for instance, it was common for gas stations to throw in a quick radiator check as part of their regular service. While the gasoline was being pumped into the tank, the attendant would open the hood and check the radiator cap. At this point in automotive technology, engines were heavily reliant on water for cooling, and long trips could easily result in the level of coolant in the radiator dipping too low. The attendant would then carefully remove the radiator cap by twisting it off, using a rag to protect his hands from the heat. If the level of coolant in the radiator was low, he’d then top it off with either a metal can or a hose.

11. Grease Gun Lubrication Service

Going to the gas station in the 1950s to fill up the gas tank came with a little added benefit: lubricating the chassis of the car using a grease gun. Cars in the 1950s had to be lubricated regularly to ensure that the suspension and steering moved freely in the joints. Many gas stations offered a special lubrication service, in which the car’s chassis was lubricated by the gas station staff in a small garage area at the back of the station. The car was positioned in the garage, and the staff had access to the underside of the chassis. They used a grease gun to spray lubricating oil into the grease fittings, which are the parts of the ball joints, tie rods, and other parts of the chassis that moved freely in the car.

12. Roadside Mechanical Advice From Attendants

Gas station attendants in the 1950s were often friendly and casual automotive experts for drivers navigating through the area. People driving through the area would sometimes pose questions and concerns about unusual engine sounds, vibrations, and dashboard lights during long drives. Gas station attendants were often knowledgeable about cars because they had hands-on experience working on cars. If a driver explained the unusual sounds and problems they were having with the vehicle, the gas station attendant would listen attentively and sometimes take a brief look at the vehicle. A brief inspection under the hood and the car would sometimes solve the problem.

13. Uniformed Attendants With Branded Caps

In the 1950s, gas stations normally needed their workers to wear smart uniforms that indicated which company operated the station. The workers normally wore smart shirts, matching slacks, and a cap bearing the oil company’s logo. Companies like Texaco, Gulf, and Phillips 66 normally design these uniforms to create a professional image for their workers. The workers normally began their shift by quickly examining the uniform to ensure it was clean and free of grease and dust before entering the service area. The cap is one of the main items of the uniform and is normally visible as it displays the company’s logo.

14. Service Station Credit Books for Regular Customers

In the 1950s, many gas stations would keep a simple ledger for their regular patrons. Instead of paying right off the bat, the patrons would allow the gas station owner to jot down the amount they owed for the gas and other supplies. The owner would then add this amount to the customer’s tab in a small notebook kept behind the counter. The customer would then return the following week/month when the end of the week/month rolled around and pay the amount they owed. It was especially popular in small towns where the owner knew many of the patrons who came in regularly. It was all based on trust.

15. Bright Pump Lights Guiding Night Travelers

Gas stations in the 1950s often placed bright lights above the gas pumps so that anyone driving on the road at night could easily spot them. The lights illuminated the gas station, making it stand out from a distance on the road. Some gas stations used tall poles with lights that provided a broad and warm light over the asphalt. Travelers on the road at night, especially over long distances, felt a sense of relief when they spotted the bright lights of the gas station. A gas station sign with the company’s logo and the prices of the gas was often bright and glowing. The gas attendants working the evening shift waited patiently as the cars rolled into the gas station.

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