OLDEST Continuously Operating Service Station in OK -- Perry OK
N 36° 17.153 W 097° 17.124
14S E 653980 N 4017021
A cool Art Moderne service station on the square in downtown Perry OK is one of the last to offer REAL full-service, and is also the longest continuously-operating gas station in Oklahoma.
Waymark Code: WMGZB5
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 04/27/2013
Views: 8
A small black granite marker on the wall explains some of the history of this ultra-cool Art Moderne service station, where they don't have sodas and snacks but DO have real full-service -- complete with oil check and windshield cleaning :)
The marker on the service station reads as follows:
"DX SERVICE STATION, 1937
Built by the Tulsa-based Mid-Continent Oil Company, this Art Moderne structure includes the women's restroom outside entrance in the rear. The inside premises were "men only" in service stations at that time. Opened as the Diamond Super X station, it soon became the DX service station operated by various Mid-Continent agents and the first to offer DX products in Perry. Mid-Continent also opened the Diamond X bulk oil business located at the Frisco train depot in 1937. The second service bay was added to the building in 1950.
"Charles Kemnitz took the lease on April 1, 1955 and sold the Mid-Continent brand DX gasoline for 32 cents a gallon. Business was very competitive with 22 full service stations operating in Perry. The hours of operation were 7AM to 9PM seven days a week. In 1958, Kemnitz also gained the commission on the Mid-Continent bulk oil operation. Charles and his wife Laura purchased the station in 1961 and the bulk oil business in 1978. After working as part-time bookkeeper at home, beginning in 1955, Laura became full-time in the station office in 1978.
"Through partnerships they have supplied petroleum products from DX Sunray, APCO and Sinclair Oil Company. From 1963 to 1979 the building was painted white as required by DX Sinclair. During the 1970's oil shortage, the business did not receive their allocation for one week. After 50 years, Charles and Laura retired and the business was passed on to the next generation. Craig and Ruby Kemnitz continued the operation on April 1, 2005. The Oklahoma Petroleum Marketing Association considers this the longest continuous operating service station in Oklahoma.
MAIN STREET OF PERRY"
The service station owner's website provides a few more details: (
visit link)
"In June 2007 the Kemnitz Sinclair Station was recognized by the Sinclair Oil Corporation and the Oklahoma Petroleum Marketing Association as the "Longest Continuous Operating Service Station in Oklahoma." [end]