Rainier Oregon Historical Museum
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Les Ingold's Chevron Station
Southwest corner of Old US Hwy 30 and Washington Way (Old bridge road).


The photo above (looking northwest towards the Longview Bridge) was taken sometime in the 1930s. It shows the General Petroleum Service Station that was owned and operated by J. E. Johnson. In January of 1939 Lester Ingold assumed management of the station after Johnson left Rainier for Seattle. Lester (known to many as Les) had formerly been employed there. Les sold Mobilgas, Mobiloil and other motoring supplies. In April, 1942, John Timoney leased the station from Les when he was called up to serve during WWII. Sometime during 1945 Timoney changed the General Petroleum Service Station to a Chevron. After the war Les Ingold returned to the station, and Timoney opened a new Mobil gas station. After operating the station continuously for 15 years, Les Ingold sold it to Garland Brown in August, 1960. Brown then sold it to Donald McAtee in August, 1961. Sometime between August and the end of December, 1961, Roy Waldt gained control of the station. He operated it with his daughter, Mrs. Conover. Marion White purchased the station from Roy Waldt. He took over operation on November 1, 1963. The station closed sometime in the late 1960s after a new highway diverted traffic away from the station, and it slowly lost business.

Notes:
1. The above photograth is in the Mike Clark collection.
2. Though the station was operated by several individuals, the community remembers it as Les Ingold's Chevron.
3. John Timoney had operated the Signal service station from December 1940, closing it when he leased Ingold’s station. He was Rainier's mayor in 1945 and 1946. Timoney had lost an arm in a logging accident before he started his career in 1940 at managing service stations. (Information from John Timoney's obituary in the April 29, 1948, issue of the Rainier Review).
Click on images to enlarge
Image
Description
Current location, now an empty lot, from above looking Northwest (from Google Maps March 1, 2015). The Texaco Service Station once stood across the highway to the East (right side of the photo).
General Petroleum Service Station was owned and operated by J. E. Johnson. Les Ingold took over management of the station in January of 1939 after Johnson moved to Seattle. From the January 12, 1939, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Ad from the January 12, 1939, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review announcing the General Petroleum Station under new management.
In April, 1942, John Timoney purchased the lease on the General Petroleum Station when Les Ingold was called up to serve during WWII. From the April 16, 1942, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
General Service Station, John Timoney ad. From the December 21, 1944, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Ad from the December 20, 1945, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review after the station was changed to a Chevron Station.
Les Ingold's Chevron Station ad. From the December 26, 1946, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
A photo of Les Ingold provided by Martha Van Natta. Martha remembers he had a high wooden stool that he sat on when he wasn't busy. He sold candy and popsicles and ice cream bars in there. Marjorie Clark remembers that Les had a sign above his door that read "Tuxedo Junction." It was the name of a song made popular by Glenn Miller in 1940.
Another photo of Les Ingold (standing at right). This photo is from the Dr. Kenney album.
Matchbook cover from Les Ingold Chevron service station.
"Sneak Thief Robs Les Ingold Station." From the July 18, 1957, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Garland Brown took over the Les Ingold's Chevron service station effective August 31, 1960. From the September 8, 1960, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Garland Brown Chevron Service Station ad. From the December 22, 1960, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Garland Brown sold the Chevron service station to Donald McAtee. Mr. McAtee took over on August 12, 1961. From the August 17, 1961, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Chevron Station Christmas ad showing Roy Waldt as owner. From the December 21, 1961, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Marion White purchased the Chevron Station from Roy Waldt and took over operation on November 1, 1963. From the November 7, 1963, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
White's Chevron Service Station ad. From the December 19, 1963, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.

Additional information:

        Lester V Ingold

        John Timoney

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