And then, the big leap. The make-or-break gambit. The station on the edge of town.

A close-up of the classic Texaco station in 1963, just after it opened. Marfak Lubrication, of course - a Texaco trademark that mean . . . marfaking, I guess. The word is no longer used much, and I never hear people say "sure, it was good lubrication, but it wasn't Marfaked."

Eventually my dad would take over station on 8th street by downtown, too - but that didn't last. The main part of the businesses, as the years went on, would be Fuel Oil and lubricants of all kinds. "Keep Ful Service" was just that - the company promised your tank would always have heating oil, and you'd never run out.