Historic gas station owner flies high on Route 66

by Maria Neider, KY3 News

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By Gene Hartley

HALLTOWN, Mo. -- People from around the world stop at a tiny historic gas station near Halltown (between Springfield and Carthage) -- not to fill up but to chat with the man whose hobby is a love of life on Historic Route 66.

Every morning, oldies tunes play at this small Sinclair gas station where time seems to stop. Gary Turner, 65, restored the roadside business, which burnt down in 1955.

"My gas station was built in 1930 by Guy Mason and Fred Mason,” he said. "This is where their livelihood was -- along Route 66."

Turner now eagerly watches the road for his next customer.

"They come from Russia, China, The Netherlands, Switzerland,” Turner said. "You never know who's coming and what time of day they're going to be here.”

Right on cue on a recent day when a reporter and videographer visited with Turner, four French men pulled up in Mustangs, smoking cigars.

"We’re going to Oklahoma City this evening,” said tourist Jean Azan, “and then, little by little, to Los Angeles."

After a souvenir snapshot, and directions, they were off to their next historic hotspot.

In the past year and a half, Turner says more than 6,000 people have made a pit stop here at his old Sinclair station. One reason could be the sign that says the price of gas is 15 cents, as if frozen in time.

"Have you ever had anyone pull up and try to get gas?” a reporter asked.

“ I do all the time. I always tell them as soon as the truck gets here they can get gas,” he laughed.

In a flash, he was back in business as a group of motorcyclists stopped in and signed his guest book. More than 50 bikers from Norway pulled over for some soda and a smoke break.

"Have you never met a hillbilly before? I'm a hillbilly!" Turner told them.

The group shared some good laughs, just like the good 'ole days. For Turner, life doesn't get much better than this.

"It's probably about as close to heaven as I'll ever get,” he chuckled.

Turner is constantly collecting old gas cans and antiques for his Sinclair station. He says people who visit also send him things from France, Germany and all over the world. Many send letters when they get home.

Turner sends everyone in his guestbook a Christmas card. He lives on the property in the old stone house where the original owners lived.

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