The Beacon Oil Company was formed in 1919 in Boston, and named for the city’s Beacon Hill.
In 1922, a standard service station design, called the “Watertown” used elements of the 1700s Massachusetts State House, designed by noted architect Charles Bullfinch.
This design emphasized the colonial past with its use of the State House-like dome, columns, balustrade and a “lantern.” Up to 50 examples were built around Boston and the “Watertown” logo was used on maps and promotional materials.
By 1929, Beacon Oil owned or leased 350 gas stations throughout New York State and New England (excepting Vermont). In that year, Standard Oil of New Jersey (Esso = “S O” for Standard Oil) took control, and renamed the company Colonial Beacon. In the 1950s, the names on the stations were changed to Esso.
According to John Margolies’s Pump and Circumstance: Glory Days of the Gas Station (Bulfinch, 1996), the Colonial Beacon company used this design throughout New York State, beginning in the in the 1930s. (Gulf used a lighthouse motif for a single facility in Miami.)
The photos at the top were taken in Saratoga Springs about 1930, on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue (to the left) and Church Street. Soon after this photo was taken a service annex was added to the left.
In the background is Saratoga’s railroad depot, the old county office building (still there but with different occupants), and the Commercial Diner (I believe this end of the block had earlier (c. 1900) been the site of the Commercial Hotel.
Photos below: A Beacon Oil Company Gas Station in Woburn, MA built in the 1920s, and later company promotional material.
Are there still buildings. If so where?
I’m a developer in Bayonne New Jersey. My company is taking down three buildings side-by-side for the development of 82 residential units. One of the buildings is the old beacon oil company which still has the Beacon lighthouse on the roof.
I love historic things and appreciate them so I had my crew leave it for now. I’ve been looking up the history of it and saw a few articles. I’m wondering if there are any left with the lighthouse still on the roof, how it was constructed, the story behind it exactly, and if there’s any value in it for collectors. It would be great for someone to contact me if anyone has any information on it. I saw the old beacon oil companies from the early 1900s with similar developed buildings all with the light houses/beacons on the roof.
I can’t help but wonder if this particular building and oil company was part of the historic buildings which standard oil took over, or was it not and just hung from the coattails of the original buildings and Company.
Good Morning Matt. First I’m seeing this. I too am a bit of an amateur Historian and a huge collector of Petroliana, especially the Signage from the early days of the oil & gas industry. What brought my research here, is that I have recently acquired an early Beacon Oil Company sign from the 1920’s.
I’m here in New Jersey about an hour south of Bayonne and would love the chance to come see this early station if it’s still there as you’ve mentioned above. And to discuss further any of the history. I do have some limited info on Beacon.
Best Regards,
Ken
Hello Matt and Ken,
My name is Bunnie. I’m the great grandaughter of James A Owen. Who worked for Beacon Oil Company. I only know this because my papa (grandfather) who is now 95 asked me to hold onto his fathers watch and some rings. A Hamilton watch was given to my great grandfather with the inscription on the back that says:
To
James A Owen
For Bravery
November 24th 1926
Beacon Oil Company
I know this has nothing to do with the historic building you are asked to take down but like you I am trying to learn more about the history of my great grandfather and his bravery for receiving this beautiful time piece.
Kind Regards
Bunnie Rowell
Hello Matt
My name is Bunnie. I’m the great grandaughter of James A Owen. Who worked for Beacon Oil Company. I only know this because my papa (grandfather) who is now 95 asked me to hold onto his fathers watch and some rings. A Hamilton watch was given to my great grandfather with the inscription on the back that says:
To
James A Owen
For Bravery
November 24th 1926
Beacon Oil Company
I know this has nothing to do with the historic building you are asked to take down but like you I am trying to learn more about the history of my great grandfather and his bravery for receiving this beautiful time piece.
Kind Regards
Bunnie Rowell
Just stumbled across this while putting together some information for the Colonial Beacon gas station in Watertown, New York from the 1920’s. Interesting to read “Watertown” was the name of the design style for the stations. I have a couple of photos to share if you’re interested.