Ashtabula, Ohio: Flying Saucer Gas Station (Gone)

My dad worked for Bill Wall and worked on the construction of the Station. We used to hang out at Garfield's on the weekend with all the local contractors. As a kid I used to go with my dad to do maintenance on the saucer.

There was a pull down attic stairway in the middle to get up into the saucer. The coolest part I remember is the motorized switch that controlled the flashing lights. It was like a moving clock hand landing on contacts that had every 5th or 6th light wired to it, and it gave the appearance of illuminated bars rotating around the building. Also, being a big fan of the TV series Lost In Space, there was nothing more awesome than standing up and looking out the bubble and pretending that you were actually flying the saucer. Definitely one of my fondest memories as a kid.

The Flying Saucer Gas Station was one of the buildings I worked on with my stepfather, a builder in Ashtabula. There were three men who put the plan together: Ray Keyes (owner), Bernie Roderick (Real estate broker) and William Wall (contractor_. The really nice thing I recall was that we ate at Garfield's every day for lunch. I remember Pete Mauro and other contractors always stopping by to offer suggestions. While it was being constructed it was a focal point for people, who had to be kept at a distance, as the main frame was all steel framing.

It was the price raise in gas and the gas wars that caused it to be shut down.

My husband Frank Cragon managed the Flying Saucer gas station in the l970s. When he went across the street to Garfield's Restaurant, he would keep looking back at the saucer.

A waitress remarked, "Don't worry Frank. It won't take off without you!"

This was a wonderful and creative invention that is sadly missed by everyone in Ashtabula. My father was the designer and owner of this gas station, and I remember Dad used to have the attendants wear Martian gear while pumping gas.

Unfortunately, the gas station will not be at the historical society as we all had hoped. They have scrapped everything that was donated, as well as any and all pictures and drawings my Dad gave them -- which leaves nothing but memories for his children. The grandchildren will never know the wonders of this gas station.

I've lived in Ashtabula most of my life. My Mom used to get gas at the flying saucer gas station every few days. There was a Santa in the top bubble during Christmas time and sometimes a rabbit at Easter. We would beg my Mom to go get gas there! The lights around the outside were awsome to us kids. It is a good childhood memory. There is now a Walgreens there.