Last weekend the ventured to Clinton, Oklahoma for Sweetie’s family reunion. While there SuperPizzaBoy and I ventured to the very nice Route 66 Museum. It is a great museum but I was struck by how much gas station memorabilia they had. Especially the signs. I had actually worked for many of those companies.
My first oilfield job was with Mobil Oil. I worked as a summer roustabout in the Permian Basin of west Texas for two years and as a summer engineer one year. Mobil was my first employer out of college. I worked as the West Ranch oilfield on the Texas Gulf Coast That was back in the day. The employees were very proud of their company and it was a big family atmosphere. Mobil is now part of Exxon.
My second job was with Champlin Petroleum in east Texas. Champlin was a medium size very aggressive exploration company that was part of the Union Pacific Railroad. Their assets are now owned by the huge independent Anadarko Petroleum.
I worked for Shell for a couple years here in Oklahoma. They bought the assets I was working for and then they sold them. I never did figure those guys out. One thing, though, don’t call their shell a “clam.” That drove the Shell lifers nuts. So I always made it a point to do so. It is called a “Pecten.” To me, it will always be a clam.
Check out Signs, Signs.
I can’t believe your worked in the Permian Basin in West Texas! That’s where I grew up — in Monahans! What a hoot! Really interesting post for the day and what a great museum! Enjoy your day!
Sylvia
I like the Route 66 memorabilia. My Grandpa worked for Sinclair and I always get a kick out of seeing the dinosaur.
In God We Trust….
All Others Pay Cash.
That is my fav. So funny!!
I’ve never visited the Route 66 Museum. I’m not a very good Oklahoman am I?
Are you doing another run? I just noticed the thingy where I can click to give money.
What wonderful old signs! I remember them, too, from when they were still in use.
Love these old signs! Route 66 – hurray.
I like the old gasoline signs. Reminds me of my childhood. Oops. Maybe I’ve said too much!
Fabulous, wonderful photos, what a fantastic museum to visit, thanks for taking me along 🙂
It was nice to learn the proper name for the Shell clam shell.
they have a wonderful exhibit of gas station mementos. nice signs too.
Your career in gas station memorabilia, Yogi! Enjoyed your info.
Maybe those guys needed to be shaken up a bit. Clam on….
It’s not a clam? I thought it was a scallop, but tonight you have broadened my vocabulary and given me a new appreciation for the folks who move us along the open road.
It is no surprise to me that you enjoyed calling it a clam. And it is.
Love all those old signs although they look new. The Route 66 Museum in Arizona have similar displays too.
LOL a pecten it is! i love the yellow Shell gas-pump…lovely vintage.
I very much enjoyed this post mostly because of your connection to the photos. I’ve been to Texas and Oklahoma only a few times and I must admit that oil wells do stand out in my memories. 🙂
This is so neat – and I just finished looking at Lynette’s signs, also for rte 66. Now my feet are itching!
We were driving from Claremore to Tulsa on Monday and I spied a Sinclair station somewhere around Catoosa. I didn’t know they were still in existance.
What a trip down memory lane for you!
I never heard of a pecten before… I would have called it a clam, too just for the fun of it!
You visit the greatest spots!
Love the “in God we trust” sign.
The clam – I mean “shell” – always seemed to me a strange emblem for a gas station. I liked the Mobil Pegasus better.
That In God We Trust reminded me of a tshirt my old boyfriend had (he worked for dispatch for the OHP). It said, “In God We Trust, All others are ran through NCIS” (National Crime Investigation System)
Great pictures of the signs!