Bob’s Marathon Station and Bill’s Sohio Station were
just two of the over forty local service stations listed in the 1960 Sandusky
City Directory. Bob’s Marathon was operated by Robert W. Kowalk in 1960. The
station was conveniently located kitty corner to Jean’s Diner.
Local residents would pass by Bob’s Marathon on
their way to the Sandusky Plaza,
which opened in 1956. Not far
away from Bob’s Marathon Station, Bill’s Sohio Service Station was in business
at 537 Huron Avenue at East Madison Street; William H. Herhold, a resident of Huron, was the proprietor.
An article in the July 18, 1961 issue of
the Sandusky Register reported that
Bill’s Sohio Station, which had recently been renovated, was among Standard
Oil’s Most Modern Stations. The station had three gasoline pumps. When
customers had their gas pumped, the employees of Bill’s Sohio Station would
also clean the customer’s windshield and check the oil, water and battery.
Other services included tune-ups, wheel balancing, and the installation of
mufflers, tires, spark plugs and batteries. Top Value stamps were given away
with every purchase at Bill’s Sohio. Of course today the gas stations formerly
operated by the Standard Oil Company are now owned by British Petroleum, and
most gas pumps are self-service.
