July 19, 1947 New Sunoco Gas Station Opens

The Interlaken Review, July 25, 1947, carried the article, “New Gas Station Opened in Interlaken.”

The newly built station was located on Main Street on the lot where the former Leet garage and home had been located. The Leet building was moved to Powell Road where it still stands today. 

Former Leet garage and home on Main Street
Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #940

An item in the June 27, 1947 Interlaken Review noted, “Franklin Bassette, son of Myron W. Bassette, informed us recently that he and his family are returning to Interlaken. Mr. Bassette will be the new proprietor of the new Sunoco gasoline station being built on Main Street.”

The July 25^th article carried details about the new business. “The Drake Oil Co. of Auburn, have opened a Sunoco Gas station on North Main street…the station is under the management of Franklin Bassette, a former Interlaken boy.”

The article noted that both Franklin and his wife had served overseas during the war. “He saw foreign duty from August ’44 in the 26^th Infantry division until December ’45…in September of ’46 he married Miss Annette Heaton...a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing…joining the Army Nurse Corp, where she also was on foreign duty in the Mediterranean theater of war.”

“This gas station is newly constructed and modern in every respect.”

“Franklin…is willing and capable of caring for your needs in the many services this station has to offer you. Mr. Bassette’s wife will be in the office to take your orders and see that they are carried out.”

Invitation to attend the opening day of the new Sunoco Station
Author's personal collection.

 As with every new business, before and since, the article ended with, “At the opening last Saturday, a very cordial welcome was extended to the Bassettes by their many friends, and in turn the Review Staff wishes them a very successful future.”

Frank Bassette in front of the newly opened Sunoco Station, Main Street
Author's personal collection

Other owners would follow. Most recently the building served as the local office for the Farrell Messler Insurance agency, and today is the Village of Interlaken Offices.

Dewitt’s Diary Saturday, July 19, 1947

Cloudy and rain and cooler. Worked on porch getting ready to paint it.