Hi-Speed Service Station on E. Erie Then & Now

Here's a promotional photo for a service station that ran on the front page of the Sept. 19, 1940 Lorain News. 

The photo's location kind of intrigued me; it was on E. Erie (U.S. Route 6) at Georgia Ave. and I assumed it was located where Terry's Dairy (the former Dairy Queen) is now – but I was wrong. The Lorain Crystal Ice Company was at that location in the pre-DQ days.

Plus, the service station's address – 854 E. Erie – was on the other side (south side) of the street.

Vintage Hi-Speed sign

Checking the city directories, I discovered (much to my surprise) that a Hi-Speed service station had been at that location since 1924. The station changed hands several times, but stuck with the Hi-Speed brand until the 1950s when it became a Pure Oil station.

The service station appeared in the city directory until around 1958, when the 854 E. Erie address was listed as "vacant."

Next, a variety of companies appeared in the directory at that address, including a laundry in the 1960s (The Washing Well) and a beauty salon in the 1970s.

After a macrame supply company briefly appeared at that location in the books in the late 1970s, the longtime business that followed is well-remembered by its fans: Granny D's Pizza.

The two tragedies that took place at that address– the murder of Granny D's Pizza owner Dave Kowalczyk, as well as the suspicious fire at the successor business D'Tutanelli's Pizza – will forever cast a sad shadow on that location.

Here is the 854 E. Erie location today. I don't know for sure if the current building is the same as the 1940s building, but it sure is likely; check out the two thick vertical structural elements on both sides of the entrance that are visible in both photos.