Geneva in Ashtabula County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gas Stations
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel
1. Gas Stations Marker
Lower Left caption
Photos to right: John Zimmerman stands next to a gas pump and (on right) with an unidentified friend at the Sohio gas station. The building, in the top right photo, is easily identified as the structure that remains on this site, which was a psychic's location in 2002 (below).
Lower Right caption
A Gulf station stood to the east, at the corner of Lake Grove Avenue and Lake Road. This photo, from 1939, offers few details as to who the men were other than "Bud and Bill."
Photos to right: John Zimmerman stands next to a gas pump and (on right) with an unidentified friend at the Sohio gas station. The building, in the top right photo, is easily identified as the structure that remains on this site, which was a psychic's location in 2002 (below).
A Gulf station stood to the east, at the corner of Lake Grove Avenue and Lake Road. This photo, from 1939, offers few details as to who the men were other than "Bud and Bill."
The automobile gave Americans the freedom to travel where and when they wanted, including to vacation spots. That changed the clientele and dynamics of the resort and created opportunity for those with mechanical skills and a knack for peddling gasoline and motor oil to tourists.
The resort's best-known service station was the Sohio owned by John Zimmerman, who also owned and operated Lake Lane Cottages, west of the Jennie Munger Gregory Museum. Zimmerman's service station was in the frame structure on this lot. It usually opened in April and closed shortly after the tourist season ended.
Zimmerman owned or operated a Sohio station at the resort from 1928 into the 1950s, when Maurice Holmes purchased the station. Other stations that operated in the village included Hernando's on the east end, Wycoff's Amoco near Chestnut Grove and Gulf on the first curve to the west of here.
Erected by In Memory of Jeanette Strazze Macchia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 41° 51.597′ N, 80° 57.275′ W. Marker is in Geneva, Ohio, in Ashtabula County. Marker can be reached from Lake Road East (Ohio Route 531
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Popcorn Ball (within shouting distance of this marker); Shady Beach (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pergola Gardens (about 400 feet away); Pera's Kiddieland (about 500 feet away); The New Inn (about 600 feet away); Pier Ballroom (about 700 feet away); Miniature Golf (about 700 feet away); Ransom E. Olds-Birthplace (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Geneva.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel
2. Gas Stations Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
