I need to know about the Texaco filling station that was on the corner of Main Street and Montana Avenue? Wasn't it originally owned by Lloyd Schaefer? My brother tells me it was Vetter's - also who owned the filling station on the corner of Leighton and Hwy#10 (across from Klamms?) We tend to think it was Niklas but another said NO it was Beudettes(sp)? Help me if you can - thanks

I am not sure who owned the station, but when they moved it, it was placed down by the dike at about 2nd street. I used to look for it back when we drove the dike all the time.

I remember going in there in the early 70's for the popcorn and to call for a ride home. It was also where I had my bike flats fixed. It might still be down by the dike.

Thanks but I'm sure it was Loyd's Texaco in the early 50's (the one on the corner of Main & Montana ave - across the street from the Presbyterian church.) I know it is not there any more -

As to the one on hwy #10 (years ago) on Leighton and #10 across from Klamm's - am sure that was Niklas' or maybe I could be wrong on this one - thanks again for any help - need to clear up a disagreement! :-)

Not the exact timeframe you're referencing, but I have a May 1963 "tourist edition" of the Miles City Star with an advertisement for "Bill's Texaco Service" located at Leighton Blvd. and Hiway 10. No indication of Bill's last name. Was it Bill Nichols?

It seems every gas station in town advertised in this special edition except the Texaco at the corner of Montana and Main.

P.S. Did they really move the Texaco from Montana and Main to someplace near 2nd St? Did it wind up near Bill's Truck Service on Pleasant St.? If so, is Bill of Bill's Truck Service connected to Bill of Bill's Texaco Service? Perhaps the same Bill owned both Texaco's and the truck service?

According to manta.com "Bill's Truck & Service" on Pleasant St. has been in business for 14 years and is owned by Bill Matzen.

I recall now that there used to be a truck repair company in that same vicinity called Howard's Road Service.

Okay, here goes: the Texaco station on Main and Montana's corner was operated (owned?) by Loyd Shaeffer in the '50s, I know. Sometime in the '60s Valentine Vetter, Jr. became the owner/operator until failing health forced him to sell the business and the bank bought the property.

The station at the corner of Leighton and the highway was built and operated by Bill Sanderson, father of Susan - the CPA. His health/death caused to be purchased by Pinky Pellitier (sorry I can't remember his real first name). After that I lost track.

The Niklas station and motel were across the street from Sanderson's and have since been removed.

[This message has been edited by Bill Zook (7/2/2012)]

Earl

Right!

I knew we'd find someone old enough to remember those details. Thanks, Bill.

Where was the Texaco at Leighton and "Hiway 10"/Valley Drive East located? I can't recall if there was a gas station on the corner where the Lube Center building is. (I think that building was built new in the late 70's to be a Goodyear Tire store.)

I remember coming across an evil Winnie the Pooh when the Lube Center was Sears sometime in the early or mid-80s. What question was "Earl" the answer to?

The answer Earl was to what was Pinky Pellitiers first name. To answer the question where was the Texaco at Leighton and Hwy 10? It was across the street from the Goodyear/Sears/Lube Center, right on the tracks, also across Leighton was the Bar supply business called Yellowstone bar supply? I worked for both Junior Vetter and Pinky as a young person.

Thanks much for all the info - I guess I am much older but do recall Bill Zook as he worked as a delivery boy at Miles & Ulmer's when I worked there in the office - remember Bill? I know the station that was owned by Sanderson was by the undepass - just heading up the hill to the left. The one on Leighton & Old #10 was East of the tracks - I was told it was called Ray's but I am still under the impression it was originally owned by Wm Niklas (the trumpet player) This all happened many years ago - really during the 1950's.
Thanks again for all the info - hope this will help solve my argument with my bro - :-)

The Texaco "station" that was moved over by the dike was evidently moved by someone to use as storage. As far as I know, it's still there. If so, you can still see the signatory green and white striped edging around the roofline.

Yes, that is right Gene. That is the station from on main st. They waited till night and moved it without the permits if I recall. I have a friend that knows for sure and I will ask him in the morning.

http://www.obitcity.com/montana.html

About the 4th one down. Could this help in finding someone who might know something.

BASTIAN, Elwyn
MILES CITY, MONTANA: Elwyn LeRoy Bastian, 71, died June 4, 2003. He was born December 14, 1931 to Elwyn Lee and Evelyn Ethel Bender Bastian. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the the Korean Conflict. He worked for Heberle Ford and Lohman Motor, and owned a Texaco business until he was forced into early retirement by lingering combat injuries. He is survived by his wife, Marie Derenberger Bastian; a son, Martin Bastian of Phoenix, AZ; a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Marie and Wayne Friemark of Bozeman; four brothers and their spouses, Charles and Diana of Dickinson, ND, Milton and Kathy of Red Lodge, David of Red Lodge, and Jim and Cathy of Miles City; a sister and brother-in-law, Norma Jean and Alan Chapman of Green Valley, AZ; his nieces and nephews; and 2 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant brothers; and two sisters, Grace Jensen and Elvina Birkholv. Services were held at Sacred Heart Church. Interment with military honors was at the Eastern Montana Veterans' Cemetery under the direction of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home.

http://milescity.com/foru...iew/72886/

has a reference to it also

Just talked to the newest owner of the Midway Texaco station. He would like to find the canopy that was attached to the building in order to put it back together. Does anyone know if it still exists?

To BettyO, I remember most of the people from Miles and Ulmers. It was a great learning experience for me. Had both Toby's and Tony's kids for students 15 years later. Anyway, the owner - in the '50s and '60s - of the station at the east side of the underpass was Carl Zabrocki(sp?). I calculated one time that in the '50s there 32 of us teens working just on Main St.

Sometime during the early '60's Leo Graskie(sp) was running the Texaco at the corner of Leighton and Hwy 10. I don't remember if he had purchased the business or was managing it for someone else, but I was under the impression that he owned it for a while. Leo was also the Custodian at Sacred Heart for a number of years.

I had a summer job at Carl's Conoco one year. What I remember about Carl was that he was very good at getting 2 bucks worth out of the $1.00/hr he was paying. Although I probably didn't think so at the time, it was a worthwhile life lesson.