Old stations holds fond memories for many

Readers write, call and e-mail recollections of windmill

Thursday, December 4, 2008 10:40 AM CST

When the call went out for more information about the Windmill gas station next to the Daily Journal, readers were quick to share their memories of the local landmark.

None knew exactly when it had been built or by whom, however.

A few had clearer memories of the Green Castle than the Windmill Station, but even those memories varied.

Local historian Ron Burns said the Green Castle was a restaurant by day, tavern by night. Bill McBride also recalls it being a tavern.

Joan Kassabaun and Larry DeGonia, however, remember the Green Castle in a different way.

“I was 16 and allowed to date,” Kassabaun said. “Me and my (ex) boyfriend would go eat at the Green Castle in 1953 and 1954. There was a carhop. They would bring a tray and attach it on your window. It had the best hamburgers and a relish I’ll never forget.

“It was a short-order place, hamburger and fries, what teenagers want. It was really fun.”

DeGonia also used to hang out at the Green Castle as a teenager.

“We had a pretty good old time out there,” he said. “I never, ever remember the Green Castle being a bar, but it was open really late at night. I remember my wife wanted a hamburger about 1:30 a.m., so I went out and bought her one from there.”

After the Green Castle closed, Degonia’s wife’s cousin and his wife opened a doughnut shop for about a year, he said.

“My wife worked for them. I remember Wilma used a drum stick to turn over the doughnuts. That was probably around 1965 or 1966.”

Among those who shared memories of the Windmill Station was Justin, who did not include his last name.

“I am 20 now, but I can still remember me and my grandpa going to the windmill gas station often, where he, too, would tell the attendant to ‘fill ‘er up.’ They would put it on his tab. The nice attendant would give me a sucker and we would be on our way.

“This is another landmark from Flat River along with the Chat Dump that, unfortunately, is removed. It will always be in my memory though, they can’t take that away.”

Jerry Feeney said the Green Castle was torn down around 1969.

“It was there and open when I started driving in 1968,” Feeney wrote. “Andy Payne's Shell Gas station sat beside it on the right. Both sat empty for awhile and if I recall, the Windmill was built in the early 1970s. I think the brand was Coastal, but I'm not sure.”

Jill Arndt thought the station was called Ozark Gas.

“There was a hillbilly up on the sign by the name,” she wrote. “It has been a landmark for many years. I hate to see it go.”

Laura Helvey thinks the actual name of the gas station was Corner Gas, but she also has seen it referred to as Windmill Gas. The windmill has a special meaning for her.

“I am 29 years old and I will be quite sad when the Windmill Station is gone,” she wrote. “There are a few reasons why, but the main reason is because between the years of 1984-1989, my mother would drive my younger brother and I to Bismarck from Farmington every Sunday in order to have lunch with my Grandma and Grandpa (he passed on 3 years ago).

“I remember every time we passed that Windmill station, I got excited thinking about the windmill gingerbread cookies my grandmother kept in a jar pushed far back on her kitchen counter. I remember my grandfather, who I miss very much, would always let me have a cookie before we ate our meal.

“Perhaps it is funny to some that a gas station that has been vacant for, I am guessing, at least five years, can be sentimental to a 29-year-old. But, to me, the Windmill Station represents a better time, a better economy, better values and wonderful memories of those gone.”

Helvey said the last time the price of gas was around $1.34 was in 2003. She recalled that it was still pumping gas in 1989, but does not know when it closed down.

Jerry Archer suggested the Green Castle was torn down around 1971-72, but he wasn’t positive.

Rick Degrant no longer lives here, but remembers the windmill fondly.

“Wow, I have been away from that area for many years. But when I do get back that way, I will surely miss the old windmill building sitting there,” he wrote. “It has just been a fixture there since I can remember being a kid. I think it was once a donut bakery. I am not sure when it was built, but it was the only real architecture building of that area. Sorry if it has to go. I will miss it dearly.”

The windmill has a poignant place in Cheryl Schmidt’s heart.

“My first memories of the Windmill came in the early 70s. The U.S. still had troops in Vietnam and the draft was still in effect. Although my brother was a college student at SEMO he still had a low draft number (67) and chose to volunteer rather than take a deferment.

“Russell was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood for basic training. We lived in a small town outside of Cape Girardeau and I can still remember how my parents cried as the recruiter put him in the car and they drove away.

“When he was allowed visitors, we made that LONG trip across the hills at least twice a month from Advance to St. Roberts, Mo. The Windmill Station was halfway and my dad always made sure he stopped there to fill up. It became part of the trip. And my family came to expect our 1970 Ford Galaxy to turn in when we saw the blades of the windmill.

“Russell ended up signing up for a three-year tour so he could be stationed in Germany in the town where our great-grandfather was born. He never had to serve in Vietnam. Our dad became terminally ill while he was in Germany and Russell was sent back to Ft. Wood to serve the remainder of his time. Our father passed away nine months after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“This all happened over 33 years ago and never did I think that as an adult I would move to this area and pass that Windmill Station regularly. But still, after 33 years, I have fond memories of my dad pulling into that station to fill up and having thoughts that we were just two hours from seeing my brother again. During a time of worry and concern about loved ones in harm’s way (not unlike today) the Windmill was a symbol of family and happiness to me.

“I will be sad to see it gone. It was always nice to pass it and remember my dad and my family being reunited every couple of weeks at a time when every moment was precious.”

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