Discerning between Standard and Chevron gas stations

Misconceptions sometimes become “facts” in people’s minds. I would like to clear up a misconception in the Valley Voices commentary, “Aging boomers change the face of Fresno – and maybe retirement,” by Gary Wayne Walker (Nov. 28.)

While writing about large corporations, and Chevron stations in particular, Mr. Walker stated that Chevron stations “…were known as Standard Chevron stations back then.”

Actually, Standard stations and Chevron stations were two separate entities “back then.” Standard stations were owned and operated by Standard Oil Company and sold Chevron gasoline and other Standard Oil products. Chevron stations were owned (or leased) by individuals.

I know because I worked for Standard stations from 1951 to 1959, and owned a Chevron station from 1959 to 1960. Standard stations were phased out in the 1960s and possibly ’70s. They were either closed or sold/leased to individuals as Chevron stations.

I’m not knocking Mr. Walker’s article. I thoroughly enjoy his writing.

This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 8:30 AM with the headline "Discerning between Standard and Chevron gas stations."