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July 18, 2023
Growing Up In Bandera
By Glenn Clark
The Bandera Prophet
I remember as a youngster wondering what it was like out there in that big wide world when I would get glimpses of it on the TV, between cartoon shows and my favorite westerns. Only a few channels were available if the antenna was positioned correctly. As a cub scout, I did get a short preview of the outside world when my scout pack visited the studio of the Cap'n Gus hosted Backyard Theater. Evidently, I wasn't overly impressed because I have only retained a pale vision of that event.
This country kid learned his way around the big city after taking the opportunity to go to work there right out of high school. My country boy thinking back in the day was I could follow any of the main streets and eventually end up on Loop 410, then I could just keep going until I would see a sign with Bandera Road exit on it. Those were the days when you could go into any service station and ask for a map, and they would give you one with no charge.
The term service station meant they pumped your gas, washed your windshield and offered to check your tire pressures. Flat tire fixing and car washing were also available along with some light mechanic work if needed. All of that and the price of gas was under 20 cents a gallon. That's the way it was when I worked at the Phillip's 66 station on Main Street in Bandera. That location has seen many business changes since those early 60s years. Currently, it is the location of 5 Points Market, where you can get a great hamburger and a self-serve fountain drink.
Back in my time at the Phillip's 66, we had packs of peanuts in a big glass Tom's Peanut Jar and a soda machine out by the front door. I can't even guess how many bottles of Big Red I consumed after I loaded it up with peanuts during that time. We sold and installed new tires and repaired flats, along with doing lube jobs and washing cars by hand. Today, you have to go to three or four different places to obtain those services.
Back in the day, if you needed some hunting or fishing supplies after most places had closed for the day, they were available at the Texaco station and also at The Free State Oil Co., where I worked while I was a senior in high school. It was a big change from my Phillip's 66 days, because there we did all the big truck and tractor tire business in Bandera. I have to say Irving Billings was the best boss I ever had in any place I ever worked. I only wish some of his patience had rubbed off on me.
All the events surrounding my Growing Up In Bandera young years were preparing me for what I had coming up in an adult world. I can't help but feel it was truly a blessing from God that I was born and raised in the ways of my Bandera ancestors.
#382 2023
This country kid learned his way around the big city after taking the opportunity to go to work there right out of high school. My country boy thinking back in the day was I could follow any of the main streets and eventually end up on Loop 410, then I could just keep going until I would see a sign with Bandera Road exit on it. Those were the days when you could go into any service station and ask for a map, and they would give you one with no charge.
The term service station meant they pumped your gas, washed your windshield and offered to check your tire pressures. Flat tire fixing and car washing were also available along with some light mechanic work if needed. All of that and the price of gas was under 20 cents a gallon. That's the way it was when I worked at the Phillip's 66 station on Main Street in Bandera. That location has seen many business changes since those early 60s years. Currently, it is the location of 5 Points Market, where you can get a great hamburger and a self-serve fountain drink.
Back in my time at the Phillip's 66, we had packs of peanuts in a big glass Tom's Peanut Jar and a soda machine out by the front door. I can't even guess how many bottles of Big Red I consumed after I loaded it up with peanuts during that time. We sold and installed new tires and repaired flats, along with doing lube jobs and washing cars by hand. Today, you have to go to three or four different places to obtain those services.
Back in the day, if you needed some hunting or fishing supplies after most places had closed for the day, they were available at the Texaco station and also at The Free State Oil Co., where I worked while I was a senior in high school. It was a big change from my Phillip's 66 days, because there we did all the big truck and tractor tire business in Bandera. I have to say Irving Billings was the best boss I ever had in any place I ever worked. I only wish some of his patience had rubbed off on me.
All the events surrounding my Growing Up In Bandera young years were preparing me for what I had coming up in an adult world. I can't help but feel it was truly a blessing from God that I was born and raised in the ways of my Bandera ancestors.
#382 2023