July 12, 2000

Pacifica's oldest gas station?

When the Pacifica Historical Society explored the history of local gas stations at its quarterly meeting recently, it wasn't the rousing success we hoped for. Several of the leading characters were missing, due to a combination of circumstances. The Nannini family (Dave and Lou's) had conflicting engagements. Other participants in our gas station history have died or retired out of town. Others were accidentally overlooked.

I put together a column I based on information that came to my attention because of the PHS meet. It contrasted 1973 (25 stations) and today (10 stations). Happily it got the attention of an articulate former mayor, Pete Murray. Pete ran the station at 1518 Francisco for a number of years. I can't do better than quote his e mail note in full. Pete knows his stuff. "Interesting article about gas stations. No mention was made of the Fanucchi brothers who ran the station next to Winter's Tavern for years. In fact that station has to be the oldest gas station business in Pacifica. Mr. Hawley (spelling) {Reactor's note: Probably Halling} had a Shell station on the corner of what is now Palmetto and Carmel, I believe it is (near) the site of Dial Glass. I do not know when this station was built but in 1939 he moved it to its present location and sold the business to Gene and George in the 40s. Actually their father bought it for his sons. I often wondered why the gas station was on higher ground than the surrounding area. In remodeling the station in the 70s we excavated the original tanks that Mr. Hawley had installed. He simply placed them on the existing turf and piled dirt over them creating an island mound and constructed the station on top of that.

In the early days of gas stations cars were serviced over an open pit. Those stations that modernized placed the hydraulic hoists outside beside the station. The new station had the hoist inside. The first of its kind at the time. That hoist is now or was placed outside when the station was remodeled in the 70s. Miller-O'Brien's building was a Mohawk station that was located close to what is now Fairway Park and was moved to its present location when the freeway came through.

When the Fanucchi's retired and I took over as manager I was only the third proprietor that the business had. The names have changed over the years, first Shell, then Wilshire, Gulf, Olympic and now Texaco. Property still owned by the Fanucchi's but is leased to the Bertetta's (Olympic Oil). For the record Fred Plate's (Winter's Tavern) father, Dick Plate, had a Chevron Station at Paloma and Palmetto, what is now 77 Paloma. (a large apartment house) I also believe that there used to be a gas station on the empty lot just south of the car wash at Monterey and Oceana. Believe it was a Hancock station and then there was the Flying A (Associated) right across the old highway One from Winter's Tavern. Right in front of the Lumber Yard and Ted Talbot's repair shop. So the oldest gas station business on the North Coast is the Texaco station at 1518 Francisco Boulevard." My thanks, Pete.

I recently enjoyed a cup of coffee with the former mayor. He's still a man of strong and articulate opinions, just as he was when the two of us walked 20 miles for the March of Dimes the year he was mayor. That's a story for another time.

Some recent Reactor columns may be found at Paul Azevedo's website, http://www.thereactor.net/ Reach him by e-mail at reactor@wenet.net