It’s every bit the mid-century service station archetype, even if it’s been a while since it functioned in that capacity. Sure, a few elements are missing now, the gas station sign and the fuel island, but the building itself little changed. We’ve seen old photos and it’s as built. There’s a small front office, a couple service bays with lots of glass and the outside accessible bathrooms, all norms of the era. Remember having to get the key? You know, the one attached to a big wood baton? We’re looking at the former Hillcrest Service at the top of Bow Escarpment on Edmonton Trail in Calgary.
Things were done different then. They pumped the gas, washed the windshield and checked the oil and if you needed vehicle repair work they offered that too. But that’s it. If you were looking for a jerky and slushie fix, you were out of luck. None of this open twenty-four hours stuff for them either and just like you they went home when the day ended. Compare this modest business to the mega-sized gas station/junk food dispensaries of today and see how much the landscape has changed.
Hillcrest Service: in the ’60s and ’70s a Texaco gas station. Fill’er up with Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
This article was made possible by a gift from (our own) “Johanna (Connie) Biggart” and for her ongoing support we’re grateful. Do the same…
The building dates back to 1959 and from that time, to the mid-1970s operated at Hillcrest Texaco Service. The building of this station corresponds with Texaco Canada being founded, although the firm had a presence in this county before under another name. Texaco ceased to be in Canada in the late 1980s (they sold out) and during their time on the scene were a big player in this country. Remember Fire Chief and Sky Chief gas? Their slogan: “You can trust your car to the man who wears the star.” That’s in reference to attendants who wore the Texaco star patch on their uniform. Uniformed attendants? Full serve? What is all this?
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
When built the station sat along Third Street NE and while also known as Edmonton Trail it not until the 1970s before the moniker was officially applied. Old aerial photos shows what look to be houses occupying this property prior to the station being built. Even older images, ca 1920s, show the area around the road basically devoid of any development. The road was formerly the main route north out of the city but why anyone would want to go as far as Edmonton escapes us (said while winking).
Most data for this piece came from old phone books and we’ve found them to be one of the most reliable sources out there. And from this it looks like the building saw only occasional commercial use after Hillcrest Texaco Service closed. There’s a long stretch where it makes no mention and then a printing firm moved in for a time. Then there’s more radio silence. The most recent occupant, an auto repair firm, moved out and up the road (and who earlier were a bit down the road) not long before our visit.
The building’s presently for sale (a cool 1.3 mil), although the structure itself we think of little interest to potential buyers. It’s the land that’s valuable and it would not surprise us to see the old building go bye-bye soon after a sale. Fronting on a busy street makes this property a good candidate for retail block of some sort and a mixed business/condo tower would be a possibility too. These seem to be going up everywhere right now. Either way, if it’s shops that minimally means it’s another Starbucks in the city. Soy something or other-achino with a shot of hazelnut please.
Hillcrest Service sat in the community of Renfrew once home to one of Calgary’s first airports. Back in biplane days.
This was another bored to death by Covid outing. During the lockdown, with almost all our projects cancelled or minimally delayed we longed for something to do and silly little pieces like this are a result. Admittedly it takes us forever to actually post them, but we’re always taking photos and have quite the backlog built up. Yes, we’re forever behind and catching up unlikely, so like us accept it. The Government will disappoint, the Flames will never win and Team BIGDoer will always be running behind.
Stayed tuned for more fun and adventure.
They’re saying…
Just came across this page and thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and stories. Wonderful information on places to go see and visit!!” Kerrie Hamilton.
If you feel like chatting or want more information on what you see here feel free to contact us!
Date of Adventure: June 2020. Location(s): Calgary, AB. Article references and thanks: Medicine Hat and District Genealogical Society, Calgary Public Library and the City of Calgary.
The article says the building “sat along 3rd Ave NE,” which would put it a couple of blocks north of the river. But the Hillcrest Motel sat at about 30th Avenue (just before Edmonton Trail dips down into the now light-industrial area). Possibly correct the listing to read “sat along 3rd STREET NE”?
Have to wonder if it hasn’t sold because of potential remediation risk. I can almost guarantee a gas station from that timeframe is going to have contaminated soil. Also the reason why the land Jack Carter’s former location at Glenmore and MacLeod (again, very valuable land) has yet to be redeveloped…
Just an FYI……it was Renfrew Auto Service, a “dealer” through Napa but not really a parts “store”, they serviced vehicles and used Napa parts on clients vehicles.
Thank you and we’ve since updated the post. On looking our research notes, what exactly Renfrew Auto did was followed by a question mark, so it was an oopsie on our part.
I started watching old gas station commercials on YouTube (a deep rabbit hole) and found myself singing along to a number of them. Funny the stuff that sticks with you from your childhood.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Outside bathrooms!
And that key on a baton.
What will always give this away, is the triple stripes, near the top of the roof. This was Texaco-only branding…
Those Texaco stripes – yes, a sure fire spotting feature.
I like that when it was an operational Napa not even that long ago, it had an outside hoist. You certainly don’t see that anymore!
How old school!
Really enjoy your articles! Learn something new each time I read them. Keep up the great work!
This is the type of comment we love to hear! Drop by often for new content. Thanks.
Sold when I passed today. I also suspect it’s days are numbered.
Thank you for the update and yes, that means we’ll likely see it go bye-bye soon.
The article says the building “sat along 3rd Ave NE,” which would put it a couple of blocks north of the river. But the Hillcrest Motel sat at about 30th Avenue (just before Edmonton Trail dips down into the now light-industrial area). Possibly correct the listing to read “sat along 3rd STREET NE”?
Thanks. Someone brought it to our attention a bit earlier and it was corrected. There’s no helping our diseased brains…
I drive past often.
Anything to report?
Thanks for the memories! Know it well, lived a block away and used to Fill ‘Er Up there.
Awesome! We love it when there’s a connection made like this.
Have to wonder if it hasn’t sold because of potential remediation risk. I can almost guarantee a gas station from that timeframe is going to have contaminated soil. Also the reason why the land Jack Carter’s former location at Glenmore and MacLeod (again, very valuable land) has yet to be redeveloped…
Yes that’s a good point. No doubt there’s something yucky in the ground given the era.
Just an FYI……it was Renfrew Auto Service, a “dealer” through Napa but not really a parts “store”, they serviced vehicles and used Napa parts on clients vehicles.
Thank you and we’ve since updated the post. On looking our research notes, what exactly Renfrew Auto did was followed by a question mark, so it was an oopsie on our part.
too bad they no longer exist, miss the personal service
We’re always nostalgic about places like this and they seem so far removed from present day. Thanks for commenting.
Another slogan was “Wherever you go trust Texaco”. I can still hear the earworm.
I started watching old gas station commercials on YouTube (a deep rabbit hole) and found myself singing along to a number of them. Funny the stuff that sticks with you from your childhood.