4419-25-29 EXCELSIOR BLVD.

This property (Minikahda Vista Block 14, Lots 3 and 4) seems to have held two service buildings at one time on the corner of Excelsior and 38th. One was a gas station (now gone) and the other the present Smith Motors, with its two bay doors and large picture window.

4419 EXCELSIOR

The current building was built in 1947 by Adolphso and Peterson for Vilhelm “Bill” Holand. Holand Motors operated from 1947 until 1980.  The ad below ran throughout the 1950s.

By 1981, the building was Smith Motors, run by Paul B. Smith.  The picture below is from 1999.

In June 2007 the building was sold and became Auto Motion. 

In August 2009, a portion of the building was remodeled and opened as the Design Line Hair Salon, which had been in Miracle Mile. 


4425/4429 EXCELSIOR

This building, a gas station, was built on or before 1940, when it was operated as King Oil by Douglas Reese. It seemed to change hands and brands often.  The picture below is from 1960.

1941: Bob Kinsman
1941-42 Paul Lacho DX Service
1942: Kunz Oil Co. Service Station
1945: Howie C. Pinchon's DX Service
1947: Johnny and Red's DX Service Station (Kunzoil)
1947: Frank M. Ross was denied a permit to sell used cars on the property.
1959: Shell Oil – Douglas Reese
1959: Holand Skelly Service
1961: Skelly closed

The building is no longer there.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.