Grand Opening of Smedley's Sohio – June 1954

For many years, it seems like there was a service station associated with one of the major oil companies on the corner of every busy major intersection in Lorain and the surrounding areas. You could always count on seeing a well-known, easily recognized national brand.

Sohio (part of the Standard Oil Company) seems to have launched its expansion beginning in the 1930s, buying out smaller stations affiliated with lesser brands and replacing them with their own. A few examples would be stations located at E. 30th and Pearl; Colorado Ave. and Root Road; Oberlin Ave. and Meister Road; and W. 21st and Leavitt Road.

And here's another one: Smedley's Sohio Service, located at E. 31st and Grove Ave. The station held its Grand Opening back on June 19, 1954 as noted in the Lorain Journal ad that ran that day. The Sohio station replace one of unknown branding operated by Louis Czapp and Alex Vangeloff.

Note that a set of six Libbey 'Safedge' glasses were given away with the purchase of six gallons or more. (Wondering what a Libbey Safedge is? Click here.)

Today a BP station is at that location (BP acquired Standard Oil back in 1987).

Anyway, I like to post vintage Grand Opening ads of any kind, and I've had this in my files for a while. But I must confess, part of my interest in this ad is the last name of the proprietor – Smedley – as it is the same name as Cap'n Crunch's pet elephant.