Monday, April 9, 2018

Our Past Is Present April 9, 2018


April 9, 2018
            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
            Today’s story comes from an article published July 11, 2003 by Mike Heronemus who worked at the Daily Union newspaper.  The title of the article was the “Station at Sixth and Webster May Close.” This is what he wrote in the article:  “One of Junction City’s last full-service gas stations may close this month if a new operator cannot be found (that was in July of 2003).
            George Leiszler of Leiszler Oil Company in Clay Center leases the station.  Leiszler has been in the oil business for about 30 years and has leased the station from Griffith Oil Co. in Manhattan for 10 years.  The decision was an economic one.  Leiszler’s customer base has decreased and profit margins are slim.
            Young customers are buying gas at convenience stores, Leiszler said, and his older customers, who were traveling 30,000 to 40,000 miles-a-year when they were younger are traveling 10,000 miles a year now.
            Leiszler went on to state that there were two potential operators trying to obtain financing to sublease the station.  If a subleaser can be found, the station will stay open as a Phillips 66 or another franchise. However, if no operator can be found, the station will close and no other location for his Philips 66 franchise will be sought.  If the station closes, Jim’s 66 on North Washington Street will be the only station in town offering full service at the pump. 
            Calvin Gauntt, who managed the station, said the station was built in the early 1960’s as Cummins Conoco.  That station sold to Griffith Oil Co. in early 1985 and Gauntt moved in to manage it as a Phillips 66.  Then in 2000 Calvin Gauntt decided to reduce his work hours and passed management of the station to Leonard “Jake” Jacobs.”
            The station was eventually closed and torn down and replaced by The Kansas State Bank.  And… that is today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society. 


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