Brookville in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Auto Service Station & Hilton's Diner

Historic Brookville

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 1, 2021

1. Auto Service Station & Hilton's Diner Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[Left text and photo]

Sandt's Auto Service Station

Walter J. Sandt, brother of local aviation pioneer Earle Sandt (aka "Brookville's Bird Man"), established the Walter J. Sandt Company when he installed an underground gasoline tank in front of his father's Main Street drug store in 1922. Selling Pennzoil products from the distributor in Oil City, his business grew and expanded to a larger location on Madison Street in 1923. Eventually, Sandt would build his stucco-on-tile Auto Service Station after purchasing property at the corner of Main and Barnett Streets in 1930. Sandt's Auto Service Station would become "Brookville's finest and most complete service station" that never closed. Station attendants changed tires, pumped Pennzoil gas, washed windshields, and provided all the services needed to keep cars running.

[Right text and photo]

Hilton's Diner

Sherwood and Shirley Hilton established a diner down the hill on East Main Street in 1937. In 1940, they relocated Hilton's Diner downtown next to Sandt's Auto Service Station. The original prefabricated diner was renovated

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 1, 2021

2. Auto Service Station & Hilton's Diner and Marker

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in 1947 to look and feel more "streamlined" and modern. In addition to interior upgrades, the original square corners of the building were rounded off with stainless steel fixtures. A "barrel vault" roofline and two-sided entryway were added. Like the Auto Service Station, the diner was open 24 hours a day to serve the residents of the community as well as passengers stopping along the Lakes to Sea Highway (U.S. Route 322). Hilton's Diner stood as a symbol of Americana along Main Street until it closed in 1978.

Erected by Historic Brookville, Inc., Jeff Co History Center, Brookville Area Chamber, Jeff Co Hotel Tax Cmte, DCNR, PA Lumber Heritage Region, and PA Great Outdoors.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 41° 9.638′ N, 79° 4.909′ W. Marker is in Brookville, Pennsylvania, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 322) and Barnett Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 295 Main Street, Brookville PA 15825, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Henderson Tin Shop (here, next to this marker); Baker Buick Co. Building (a few steps from this marker); Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); W.F. Clark Bank Building

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Darrah-Corbet House (within shouting distance of this marker); Kelso-Reitz Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Rodgers-Canning-McKinley Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marlin Opera House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookville.

Also see . . .
1. Borough of Brookville PA: History. (Submitted on July 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Brookville PA National Register Historic District Nomination. (Submitted on July 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.