4701-11 EXCELSIOR

Robert Johnson was a man of many talents, and his presence can be felt keenly on the Boulevard. He established his businesses in the 1920’s, as a home builder, a gas station owner, and the proprietor of the Robert Johnson Family Garden.

The Family Garden was located at Excelsior and Natchez, starting in at least 1926. This fun spot is remembered for its canaries and rock gardens.




In front of the Garden was the Robert Johnson Oil Co., selling fuel oil. Johnson obtained a permit to build his station in 1925. Although there was a Frank Scoville who obtained a permit to operate two pumps at his Gold Star Service Station at that address, it apparently still belonged to Johnson, who offered two of the finest grades of gasoline money could buy, including “Q” leaded regular.

The building was rebuilt in 1941, still in Johnson’s name. Subsequent names of the station include (dates may not be all-inclusive):

1941: Rogers Phillips 66 – Byron A. Rogers
1941-42: Bill Blymyer Phillips 66 Service
1947: Ray and Bud’s Phillips 66 Service – Ray and Bud Carlson
1948: V.B. Edwards
1949-52: (Stanley O.) Keller's Direct Service (3 pumps in 1947)
1954: Connie’s Standard Service – Connie Ordemann - D.K. Carter Co. – closed 2/20/54

In 1957 the station was built yet again by Standard Oil, and for many years (about 1956 to 1980) it was run by Gordy Hicks. Gordy’s station seemed to bounce back and forth between Standard and Amoco.




From 1986 to 1993 it was Russell’s Standard (Russell Schack).

In 1994, one or more of the tanks were interfering with road work and had to be removed – Jim Kovach was listed as owner.

The station has been an Amoco/bp since at least 1995.

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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.