Establishing a historic district at 534 LaPorte Ave

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The site is of some historical interest as well with three mid - century (circa 1960) "computer type" gas pumps with the rotary drum digital price display. Two additional older pumps (circa 1940) are located to the left of and more or less in line with the front facade of the building. The majority of the site has been paved with concrete as is typical for a gas service station. The, gas pumps are elevated on concrete islands. A modern light fixture with two lights in a "V" formation is installed at the front pump island. HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT At the turn of the century gasoline was sold essentially as a by- product of kerosene which was produced principally for use in heaters and lighting devices. With the advent of the automobile, gasoline was initially distributed directly from wholesalers which typically located at or beyond the city limits. In 1905 the first patented gasoline pumping devices appeared on the market enabling the direct delivery of the fuel into the storage tank of a vehicle. These pumps were initially an adjunct to dry goods merchandising until petroleum producers began the direct or licensed distribution of their own products. The Standard Oil Company opened its first gasoline station in 1907 setting a pattern for other petroleum producers. These early gas stations were typically single room structures designed to conform to the scale and details of surrounding suburban residential neighborhoods which had developed along trolley lines. These structures were sometimes prefabricated or built to patent designs provided by the licensing corporation. Some outlets were owned by the petroleum companies while some were privately owned and licensed to sell the products of a particular producer. [3][4] By 1912, several proprietors in South Bend were advertising automobile related parts and services. No petroleum related fuel dispensaries were found in the city directories until that year when a listing for the South Bend Oil Company appeared.[5] However, this listing made no specific indication regarding the availability of gasoline. By 1914, the Lontz Brothers were also in the fuels business at 602 South Michigan but no mention of gasoline was found in their advertisement until 1921.[6] In this year, two outlets advertise gasoline specifically, the Lontz Bros. and Hi Way Service, a garage selling tires, parts and mechanical service at the northeast corner of Scott Street and Lincolnway West.[7] The gas station at 534 LaPorte is believed to have been constructed in 1927.[8] By that year, nearly 80 outlets advertised gasoline for retail sale in the city of South Bend.[9] In January of that year the Indian Realty Corporation of Lawrenceville Illinois, entered into an agreement with the Mozart Lodge #4 of the Sons of Herman which would allow the construction and operation of a filling station at this location. There seems to have been some financial difficulty with the Sons of Herman, as the property was placed in receivership in November of 1927. Ownership was briefly assumed by John B. Gluekert who in turn sold the station to Indian Realty in June of 1929.[10] From its inception, the station was operated by the Indian Refining Company of Maine which operated two other stations in South Bend in 1927 located at 1833 South Michigan and South Bend Avenue at Corby Street.[11] In 1931 Indian Refining operated eight stations in South Bend.[12] On November 2 of that year, Indian Refining purchased the property from Indian Realty.[13] Shortly thereafter, Indian Refining left the South Bend market, with its stations either converting to the Texas Company (Texaco) or passing out of existence. Although operated as a Texas Company station from 1933, the station at 534 LaPorte was not actually purchased by the Texas Company until 1945.[14]