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.
Patrons whose sponsored piece will be posting soon...
Byron Robb - Rob Pohl & Arturo Pianzola - Don Wilson - Johanna (Connie) Biggart - Dale - Francomedia.com - Brian D - Anonymous - Cindy Miller Reade - Richard Graydon - Margaret Nemeth
We couldn't run this website without your help and it's appreciated!
Beer Parlour Fridays: The Cadillac Hotel in Cadillac Saskatchewan, visited in June 2024 by Chris and Rob. Sadly, they unexpectedly closed soon after their visit, but it is for sale and hopefully will reopen under a new owner. Those amazing SK skies! Watch for the Cadillac Hotel and others appearing at https://www.BeerParlourProject.com. Celebrating old school watering holes!
Scroll down to the comments for more!👇 _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
Beer Parlour Fridays: before Pilsner in Saskatchewan, there was Bohemian or simply Boh. For decades, it was the most popular beer in the province. Incidentally, both Pil and Boh were for decades products of Sick's Brewery. This Boh cap was found in the basement of an old hotel in SW Saskatchewan during a visit by the Beer Parlour Project. It celebrates the beer winning a prestigious best in world award in the late 1960s.
Beer Parlour Fridays: here's a standard issue cast-metal leg round-top Beer Parlour table. These were supplied through the liquor control board (who heavily regulated the business) and therefore could be found at most drinking establishments. They date back to the 1940s-1960s period and surprisingly, we still see them out there in the wild all the time. Often they were covered in terrycloth to help sop up spilled beer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
Beer Parlour Fridays: The Tompkins SK Hotel/Lucky Loon Saloon, previously Woody's. It was just a drive by visit and not a stop on the recent Beer Parlour Project tour of SW Saskatchewan. Had it been open we would have checked it out, however. Celebrating old school watering holes at https://www.BeerParlourProject.com. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
Beer Parlour Fridays: The Wildwood Hotel in Wildwood Alberta, built in the late 1950s to replace one that earlier burned down. Visited in October 2024 by Chris and Rob. Watch for this hotel and others appearing at https://www.BeerParlourProject.com. Celebrating old school watering holes!
Scroll down to the comments for more!👇 _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
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.