Another corner gas station soon just a memory

Demolition of a landmark in Gallatin is underway just south of the business square. The cement block retail garage building once housed Tate Oil Company, physical evidence of times past when filling stations occupied many of the busiest street corners in every small town. Tate Oil Company was founded in 1974 when Phil Tate purchased the Skelly Oil jobbership from Homer and Ruby Whitt. Then in 1976 Tate folded the DX Oil jobbership from the late R. L. Trimm into the business. The company office for tank wagon deliveries as well as a garage for all types of automotive and light truck repairs and maintenance were at this location on Van Buren Street and Highway 13 (South Main). A decade later Tate Oil was affiliated with Getty gasoline products – note the gas pump price of $1.22 per gallon of regular in the photo inset which appears in the Daviess County History Book (1985). After the building is completely removed, more parking spaces will be available for Gallatin United Methodist Church, shown west of the work now underway.