Stopping for gas at the Tydol in 1937, Trenton, New Jersey

It's 1937, we need some gas, and we're at Whittaker and Clinton in Trenton, New Jersey, driving east on Rusling. Let's stop at the Tydol.

This image, by the way, is from the Duke University website ROAD - Resource of Outdoor Advertising Descriptions, and the photo was taken because of the billboards, which I'll talk about later. Right now, we need gas! Oh yeah, and I'd like to say a special thank you to my top history adventurer, who prefers to remain anonymous, for identifying the exact location.

I'll have to admit that I've never heard of Tydol gasoline before. I've never really been anywhere near the Trenton, so it might have been a local brand in 1937. And it may still be around, I'll go Google it later to check. Anyway, let's pull in. I don't see a price, but it can't be all that expensive. We're time-travelers from the 21st Century, so we'll be happy to pay whatever price they ask, my best guess being that it can't be more than two digitals (99 cents). Wish I could see the price, I'd say it would be about twenty cents a gallon, what do you think?

While we're there, let's get some naptha cleaning fluid. Driving in the 1930s is a greasy business, especially with my old jalopy, which leaks oil and grease everywhere, so we can at least try to keep it clean. It can also come in handy if we go camping, or if the electric lights go out at the house, and we have to use a lantern.


Here's my car. I don't know the make or model, so I'm just gonna call it a Rolls K'nardly (Rolls down one hill, can hardly make it up the next - an old Steve Allen joke). It runs fine. Not as fancy as that car parked over there with it's spare wheel. I have a spare tire - that's good enough for me!

After we get some gas, and naphtha, we can go over to Coleman's. It says "wholesale poultry" so I'd imagine that we can buy cute little baby chicks, and chicken feed. I suppose that we'd have to prove to them that we were chicken farmers to get a wholesale price. What's that? I look like a chicken-plucker? Well, thank you!


And here we go, and word from our sponsors. It's always the way, isn't it? Advertising has always been big business, and this photo was taken so that the companies could see that their ads were up and visible. So here you go, Always the Best, Always the Same, National Coal Company. Can't say that it's the most catchy slogan, but apparently they sell famous Reading Anthracite. You can call them at 9421 or just go there and get your coal at 1287 Princeton Avenue. There's also an ad for Union Leader Tobacco, which you could use in your pipe or to make cigarettes. Cool as a cucumber! But wait, there's more...


There's an ad for Ballantine's Ale and Beer on top of Coleman's I'm assuming that the pretzel-looking graphic is supposed to read like an ampersand (&). Purity, Body, Flavor, all linked together in circles! Those advertising people are so darned clever, no wonder they get paid so much!

OK, time for us to hit the road again. Thanks for riding along with me today!


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