Regional History Center & NIU Archives
Smith Oil and Refining Company, 1951
RC 48, Box 2, Folder 4
1102 Kilburn Avenue, Rockford
Distributor of petroleum products for manufacturing, heating, and automobiles
Charles G. Smith and Ernst E. Smith, founders
Originally started as a distributor of paints, oils, and varnish in 1893, the C.G. Smith and Son Company evolved into sales of automobile oils and greases as the market demanded at the turn of the century. Its 1917 “Gasoline Gardens” (Mulberry and North Church Streets) was the first of its kind in the Midwest. In 1925, Stanton K. Smith, representing the third generation of the Smith family, joined the firm and established a service station and distribution system which covered northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, and southern Wisconsin. In a 1946 agreement with Gulf Oil Corporation, Smith Oil became the nation’s largest independent reseller of Gulf Products. This relationship with Gulf continued until 1970, when the Smith family sold the business to Sun Oil Corporation.
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This image is issued by the Regional History Center/ University Archives of Northern Illinois University. Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public. The user is responsible for copyright issues. Permission for use of this image for ANY reason other than educational purposes should be obtained by contacting the Center’s staff. Credit line should read Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University.
The Regional History Center, in conjunction with Northern Illinois University’s Media Services Imaging Department, produces print reproductions made from high-resolution scans of original source material from its holdings. These custom orders are done for a small fee. Please contact us with any questions: 815-753-1779.
Smith Oil and Refining Company, 1951
RC 48, Box 2, Folder 4
1102 Kilburn Avenue, Rockford
Distributor of petroleum products for manufacturing, heating, and automobiles
Charles G. Smith and Ernst E. Smith, founders
Originally started as a distributor of paints, oils, and varnish in 1893, the C.G. Smith and Son Company evolved into sales of automobile oils and greases as the market demanded at the turn of the century. Its 1917 “Gasoline Gardens” (Mulberry and North Church Streets) was the first of its kind in the Midwest. In 1925, Stanton K. Smith, representing the third generation of the Smith family, joined the firm and established a service station and distribution system which covered northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, and southern Wisconsin. In a 1946 agreement with Gulf Oil Corporation, Smith Oil became the nation’s largest independent reseller of Gulf Products. This relationship with Gulf continued until 1970, when the Smith family sold the business to Sun Oil Corporation.
___________________________________________________________________________
This image is issued by the Regional History Center/ University Archives of Northern Illinois University. Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public. The user is responsible for copyright issues. Permission for use of this image for ANY reason other than educational purposes should be obtained by contacting the Center’s staff. Credit line should read Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University.
The Regional History Center, in conjunction with Northern Illinois University’s Media Services Imaging Department, produces print reproductions made from high-resolution scans of original source material from its holdings. These custom orders are done for a small fee. Please contact us with any questions: 815-753-1779.