Studes in Roadside Americana photos

[Sdude]

The creator of the photoBomb...

[JimK]

Thanks Skip. Fast forwarding to today's scene, I wonder if it still exists? And could it keep it's "Americana" charm as a Convenience Store?

Looking on Google Maps, Munsey Park is pretty small, and there is only one commercial strip on the main drag. Provided that the boundaries of the place have not changed since 1957, I could see only one short section on the main drag where the housing behind was elevated. There is only newer commercial development now.

[dpson]

8770 & 8772 are taken near Copley Square in the Back Bay area of Boston, Trinity Church is in the background of both photos.

[Guster]

Looking on Google Maps, Munsey Park is pretty small, and there is only one commercial strip on the main drag. Provided that the boundaries of the place have not changed since 1957, I could see only one short section on the main drag where the housing behind was elevated. There is only newer commercial development now.

From a google search of Munsey Park Service Center.


Last Friday's Mystery Foto was the Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air at the pump.

The Mystery Foto questions:

-Location: 1649 Northern Boulevard in Munsey Park. On the north side of the road in the shopping center with Pearle Vision.

-Approximate year of the photo: 1957 (Updated: 7/14/2013)

-Identify one or more of the cars being serviced:

-Chevrolet Bel Air (1956)

-Mercury (1952-1956)

-Studebaker Starlight Coupe (1949-1952)



It is still nice to see service centers like this on the parkways surrounding NYC

[Noxnabaker]

#8779; I thought 47-49 Studebakers had laydown rear lights, but I could be wrong.

[Studedude]

[8E45E]

Above #8762...Gotta be one of the best looking Service Stations...EVER! I'd like to know where & there must be a story.

Architecturally controlled area??

Craig

[kurtruk]

#8779; I thought 47-49 Studebakers had laydown rear lights, but I could be wrong.

You are correct. Pictured is a '48 Champion.

[Skip Lackie]

Architecturally controlled area??

Craig

Maybe, but it might also have been in response to the standards set for service stations, overpasses, signage, etc on the nearby parkways that were built on Long Island and Westchester County NY beginning in 1908. Most were built during the Depression. These highways were limited access, and were designed to look like parks, with wide, wooded rights of way, natural stone overpasses, and no commercial signage. Commercial vehicles were (and still are) prohibited. Service stations had to conform with these standards and were usually built from natural stone with only one sign. The trend spread, at least locally.

[Guster]

That's stranger than fiction, 'cause it's real!

I see you must have found the site Dirty old Boston. The pic of Boston Garden is one of my favorite. There was one in Cambridge that had a Pelham Wagon that I sear was my Father's dent in the same spot.

[Guster]

Also the same basic style was used on the PA turnpike for their service centers. There are still station like this (smaller) on the Merritt parkway

[Studedude]

[Studedude]

[Studedude]

[Studedude]