“When America Was Great”
Image size: 8.75″ X 26.5″
This print frames up to approximately: 17.5″ X 26.5
Price: $55.00
About this Shell Oil Service Station Art Print
“When America Was Great is a view of Garners Shell Oil Service Station Located in Brooks Crossroads in the Western part of Yadkin County, NC. I chose this title because it is a nostalgic scene, in our county, as it was in 1957. It features Garner’s gas station in the Brooks X Roads area. There was a barber shop, post office and ice cream shop at the same location.
I was born in 1953, grew up during that era and like many of us have fond memories of that time and the years after. The economy was booming. Anyone who wanted to work hard could get a good job. Detroit made great cars with bigger and taller tail fins, more lights, and of course, more powerful engines. American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark made it’s debut. “I Love Lucy,” “Perry Mason” and “Maverick” were being watched at home by families gathered together around their TV. Oh yea, remember TV Dinners and TV trays? Then there was Rock and Roll with artists like Elvis and Little Richard. Every kid had a Slinky and a Hula Hoop. Popular books such as “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss, ‘From Russia With Love” by Ian Fleming and of course “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac were being read. Lets not forget Drive-In Diners and Drive in Theaters. Families pilled in their big cars, went by the Drive-In Diners for shakes, burgers and fries on their way to the Drive-In Theater to see movies like “The Ten Commandments,” “Around the World in Eighty Days,” “12 angry Men,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “The Bridge Over the River Kwai,” and “Ben Hur.”
This was a time when kids read books, played and explored outside together and came in when called to sit with the family for a good home cooked meal. It was a time when raising a family with good Christian values was very important with most people.
I am proud to be a part of that generation!