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Listing Details |
Bolton Oil Change
5219 82nd St ,
Lubbock, , Lubbock,
TX 79424
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The history of Bolton Oil Company is one of the entrepreneurial spirit in it’s truest forms. It is a story of a man and wife with little but a desire to succeed. After service in WW II, Durwood Bolton returned home to his wife, Laverne in Lubbock, Texas. They lived in a small wood frame house on the corner of 38th and Avenue Q. Then, Avenue Q dead-ended at 38th Street. Durwood was like tens of thousands of other soldiers having very few possessions. However, he had a huge desire to explore all opportunities, as life in peacetime America was good. Durwoods father drove a gasoline truck for Ohlenbusch Oil Company. Mr. Ohlenbusch wanted to open more service stations and expand his Col-Tex gasoline distributorship. He must have seen Durwoods potential and desire, because in 1949, he asked Durwood if he would like to be in business for himself. Of course he said yes, but explained that he had no money. However, Mr. Ohlenbusch agreed to install tanks and pumps, and purchase gasoline for Durwood to pay back as it was sold. The land that Durwood lived on seemed the ideal place for a service station as Lubbock was growing at a tremendous rate. Durwood remodeled the garage portion of their house, and it served as an office structure for the first service station - and now the cherished roots of Bolton Oil Company. Durwood believed in promoting his business with friendliness and by giving something away with a fill-up. That included a loaf of bread, a bag of sugar, stamps to redeem for gas or cash, trash bags, a collectible drinking glass, or a turkey. Over the years, there has always been some kind of promotion such as a registration to win a bicycle, a trip to Hawaii, or in later years, a new car or truck. In 1963, the oldest son, Charles, began managing one of the service stations. In 1970, the second son, Scott, also began managing a service station. They had been working with their Dad and learning the business since they were about 13, so their Dad’s work ethic was drilled into them. Durwood believed in the saying, “early to bed, early to rise”. By 1979, the company had expanded to 11 service stations, two long-haul gas trucks, and a new office and warehouse. However, it was the hardest year for the Bolton family and the company. Durwood died unexpectedly while deer hunting in South Texas. The impact of his life was, and still is, far reaching for his family, for Lubbock’s business history, and for all those who knew him. The gasoline crisis of the seventies set the industry on a new path. The new thing was high traffic convenient type store with gasoline out front. The Boltons decided to focus their efforts in a new direction, and branch out to the automotive oil change business. In 1981, 82nd & University became the first Bolton Oil Change location. Today, there are four oil changes, five gas stations and a number of rental properties that keep the family very busy. The office complex and warehouse at 54th & Avenue Q is now the central office. Charles’ son Monte and Scott’s son Shannon work in the office with Charles and Scott. Laverne Bolton passed on in October of 2002 leaving Scott and Charles, four grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.
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Also listed in:
 _old Categories » Automotive_ » Automotive Repair_ » Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance_
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