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March 10, 2009

{Day 30} Warning

Theme #351 Warning
Use to be that you could see these kind of road signs all over the west due in part to the Stinker Stations. This happens to be the only one left in my area so I thought I had better get a shot at it before it was gone as well. Some of the other sayings that were also put on signs are-

  • (Out in the middle of NOWHERE without a dwelling in sight) "If you lived here you would be home now."
  • Next to a bunch of large rocks painted green, "Petrified watermelons take one home to your mother in law."
  • "Watch out for the cows jumping over the moon, they may land in front of you."
  • "Watch the stripes in the middle of the road but try not to hit the kitty with stripes. That's our mascot."
Following is a little history for posterity stake about the famous Stinker Stations:

Stinker Stations have been around Idaho since the 1930s. It’s a gas station chain started by a man with a keen sense of humor - the skunk used to be the big star. The skunk has taken more of a background role since the chain was sold, and since the chain became affiliated with Sinclair. The chains also used to use Burma Shave-style roadside signs for promotion - with sayings something like “Nudist Camp – keep your eyes on the road,” and there would be cutouts of discarded clothing nearby, and maybe a naked mannequin. A recent bus bench banner for Stinker Stations here in Boise said “If you think no one cares, miss a payment.” Stinker was one of the first stations to offer bio-fuels.

Stinker Stations homepage

8 comments:

Chesney said...

What a fun topic (and fun signs too)! I have never heard of "stinker stations" - definitely a new one for me!!

Ron a.k.a. Danudin said...

You have to steal that and send it to me, that is a real classic.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you explained Stinker Stations as I didn't know what they were. The sign is a great warning though - I thought it had been posted as a serious warning at first!

Anonymous said...

I've only seen a few passing through and that was quite a while ago, what fun!

Anonymous said...

A great sign - and thanks for telling us about Stinker Stations, too. Really interesting post!

Anonymous said...

What a great sign and story to go along with it!

Debra said...

A very interesting and funny story. Love the sign.

Anonymous said...

Great shot of a very funny sign & even funnier story. Thanks for sharing it!
LOVE your new blog look...