By Mary A. Sego
Title: Red-Crown Mini-Museum history and post card, 1927-1991
Primary Creator: Red-Crown Mini-Museum (1927-)
Extent: 0.1 Cubic feet. More info below.
Date Acquired: 10/27/2010
Forms of Material: Postcards
Languages: English
The Red Crown Mini-Museum is located at the corner of 6th and South Streets in downtown Lafayette, Indiana. It is right next to Tippecanoe County Library.
The gas station was built by Standard Oil Company of Indiana in 1927-28 and had a one garage bay attached. It was built with glazed brick on all walls and red tile on the roof. In 1935-36 a second garage bay was added. It was in operation as a gas station until 1979, in 1985 the library bought the property for a future parking area. In 1991, Don Stein, a local business man and auto collector offered to restore the gas station, and it was finished later that year.
The interior and exterior is now filled with gas station memorabilia, mostly related to Standard and Red Crown Gasoline. The garage bays are filled with antique cars, and in the parking lot there is a 1931 Ford tow truck.
Anyone who comes by should check in the mailbox at the front door and grab a picture postcard and information sheet on the station.
Repository: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections
Alternate Extent Statement: 1 acid-free folder
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Acquisition Source: Acquired circa 2000s, donor unknown.
Processing Information: All materials have been housed in polyester sleeves, acid-free folders, and acid-free boxes.
