:Gilmore display station         California

“With the installation of a replica of a 1936 Gilmore gas station at the original Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax, Roar With Gilmore, the history of the Gilmore Oil Company will now be available to the general public. Two years in the making, the Gilmore gas station is a major segment of historic displays built under the auspices of the A.F. Gilmore Company, owners of the Market, in recognition of the famous property's history.

For the most part, the thousands of people who visit the Market each month, from all over the world, are really unaware of the property's history, says Hank Hilty, President of the A. F. Gilmore Company and great grandson of its founder. Before there was the Farmers Market, there was Gilmore Oil Company and a dairy farm. It's a history we wanted to share with our visitors and the city of Los Angeles.

In addition to the gas station, two large display kiosks are being installed along with two shadow boxes. These are dedicated to other elements that are part of the 3rd and Fairfax parcel's history from the mid-1800s when it was the dairy farm to the discovery of oil and the creation of the Gilmore Oil Company in the early 1900s and the property's legendary sports history. During its lifetime, Gilmore Oil Company supported its oil production with clever, innovative promotions: Roscoe Turner was hired as a barn-storming pilot to fly around the Western United States with a lion cub named Gilmore as co-pilot. There were radio jingles, a Gilmore Oil traveling circus and clever newspaper ads, all adding luster to the Gilmore Oil brand.

In addition, E. B. Gilmore built Gilmore Stadium where he introduced midget auto racing to demonstrate Gilmore Oil products. Then there was the Gas-A-Teria (which was the first self-serve gas station in the country) and the Gilmore Drive-in Theater. The property was also home to a rich Los Angeles sports history, with L.A's. first professional football team, the Bulldogs. “

“Overall view of the station on the old Gilmore Family property.

 

Interior of the office is clean. The lubesters have Gilmore decals, The batteries are great looking. An old roll top desk sits in the office with old soda bottles and magazines, just like the attendent left it when he went out to service his customer.”