The first gasoline filling station opened to the motoring public on Dec. 1, 1913 in Pittsburg. By the 1920s, filling stations had become service stations filling a variety of automotive needs. Most featured tires, batteries, wipers, fluids, with mechanics on duty for light repairs. The number of U.S. service stations peaked in 1964 at 236,000, then began a steady decline. In the 1970s, convenience stores with gas pumps began replacing traditional service stations and were increasing known as gas stations. Self-service options eventually eliminated almost all services, except in Oregon and New Jersey where attendants still pump gas. By 2020, there were only 115,000 gas stations remaining with their number continuing to fall due to more pumps per station, fuel efficient cars using less gas, and electric vehicles.
When this King County Assessor photo was taken on August 23, 1939, the southeast corner of SR 169 and S.E. 400th Street supported Fel’s Service Station featuring Shell gas. It was operated by Fel & Marie Cramer who lived in the home next door. Felix Felician was born into a Slovenian family who emigrated to the U.S. in 1902 and settled in Krain, an area north of Enumclaw dominated by immigrants from Slovenia. At some point, Felix changed his name to Fel Cramer. He and Marie purchased the station and next-door home in 1937. There he pumped gas, performed minor repairs, tune-ups, and sold candy from a small display case inside.
The property was sold to Russ Sorensen in 1964, who continued operating the station while working on cars in the single-bay garage. Like many, this station fell victim to nationwide trends in how gasoline is sold. It closed sometime in the 1970s. One mile south a similar station, Bob’s Service operated by Bob Chambers, kept up with changing times and today is a thriving Stop & Shop. Bob’s station was so popular that locals still call the intersection Chambers Corner. As to the fate of Fel’s service station, the building has been rotting in place for decades, a passing testament to the winds of change.
