Sep 05, 2024

📷 Throwback Thursday: Derby Oil Co. - Vol. 86

Posted Sep 05, 2024 11:00 AM
Derby Oil Co. Station #4  - 735 E. 4th - 1922 (Benjamin F. Reger - manager). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - 735 E. 4th - 1922 (Benjamin F. Reger - manager). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southwest corner of East 4th Avenue and North Pershing, where a long string of service stations began in 1922.

The first photo shows the new Derby Oil Co. service station #4 in 1922, managed by Benjamin Reger, Perry Reger's grandfather.

Derby Oil Co. Station #4  - 735 E. 4th - 1922 (Benjamin F. Reger - manager). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - 735 E. 4th - 1922 (Benjamin F. Reger - manager). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1951, Ralph Canfield bought the property from Richard Zeiset. The second photo shows what the property looked like then.

Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - Canfield's Service (Ralph Canfield - Old Richard Zeiset - at purchase) - 735 E. 4th  - July 27, 1951. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - Canfield's Service (Ralph Canfield - Old Richard Zeiset - at purchase) - 735 E. 4th - July 27, 1951. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The third photo shows the station after Canfield added on to it with a garage and rebranded it to the Conoco Company.

Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - Canfield's Service (Ralph Canfield with garage addition and Conoco rebrand) - 735 E. 4th - c. 1953. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - Canfield's Service (Ralph Canfield with garage addition and Conoco rebrand) - 735 E. 4th - c. 1953. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1958, Canfield completely remodeled the station. The fourth photo shows the grand opening of Canfield's Conoco Service at 735 E. 4th in September 1958.

Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - Canfield's Service (Ralph Canfield - Opening Day Remodel ) - 735 E 4th - September 1958. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - Canfield's Service (Ralph Canfield - Opening Day Remodel ) - 735 E 4th - September 1958. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1977, Dillons needed to expand its presence from across the street. Dillons purchased the entire half-block of properties, razed everything and constructed the new Dillons Grocery Store #10 at 725 E. 4th and turned the old store on the north side of the street into the Kwik Shop Offices. The fifth photo shows the 725 E. 4th property today, still Dillons #10 and owned by Dillon Real Estate Co. Inc. c/o Kroger Co., Westborough, Massachusetts.

Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - Canfield's Service - Dillons - 725 E. 4th - July 28, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Derby Oil Co. Station #4 - Canfield's Service - Dillons - 725 E. 4th - July 28, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

To purchase a photo print, contact: [email protected].

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum