Gas Stations in Metuchen Around 1965

Gas Stations in Metuchen around 1965

Since the first automobile arrived in Metuchen in the 1890’s, places were needed to fuel these vehicles. Since most ran on gasoline, these fueling places became known as “Gas Stations”. Most of the Gas Stations also had garages where repairs were done. The stations may not have pumped a lot of gas, but made money with the repairs. The number of gas stations in the Borough grew until the 1970’s energy crisis, and then began to decline. Corporate mergers, family business closings, better cars, and increased environmental regulation of underground fuel tanks all contributed to the decline.

MEHS member, and Nannygoats contributor, David Huchinson has searched his memory and came up with this list of Gas Stations in Metuchen around 1965.

1. The Mobil station at Christol Street and Main Street.

2. Ernie Trent's Shell station at Main and Middlesex Ave.

3. Mendola's ( and then Vergos') Sunoco on Central Avenue by the car wash.

4. The Sunoco station next to the Duchess Diner.

5. "The Spot" which is the unbranded gas station next to the Forum Theater.

6. There was also another unbranded gas station perpendicular to "The Spot" (now a real estate agency).

7. I am not sure, but Reynolds’s Oldsmobile on Amboy Avenue might have also had a Shell station in it....

8. Rossmeyer Chrysler Plymouth's Texaco station.

9. Ziegler's Texaco on South Main.

10. The Citgo station on South Main.

11. The Sinclair station on South Main (it might have been an Atlantic Richfield station originally).

12. There was a small Sunoco station on Amboy Avenue just before the Acme which is now Walgreens... this might be Edison.

13. The Gulf Station (Joe Barella's?) just over the Lehigh Valley bridge on Route 27.

14. The Gulf station on Central Avenue.

15. The Amoco station next to the Duchess Diner.

16. Geary’s Store on Plainfield Ave. & Central Ave.

17. Esso Station at Central & Middlesex Ave..

18. Gulf Station on Rt. 27 east of the Reading Railroad bridge.

19. Esso Station Lake Ave. & Amboy Ave.

20. Chevron on Lake next to Royal Millwork.

21. Rt. 27 East of Reading RR, where the new Elks building is.

22. .Amboy Ave. near Redfield Village, operated by Chris Dixon

23. A station across from Boro Motors on Rt. 27.

Other stations around Metuchen

1. Oak Hills Deli Plainfield Rd.
2. Chevron Station next to Oak Hills Deli.

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