Koch's Service Station Museum - Baileyville, Kansas As we pulled up to Koch's Service Station Museum in Baileyville, Kansas in May 2021, we first noticed the old Philips 66 station across the street, where there was a 1930s gasoline pump and where a vehicle was being fueled (full service) from a 1960s gasoline pump. As we parked in front of what looked like a 100 year old Conoco Station, the man who had been fueling the vehicle came across the street to greet us. Greg Koch introduced himself and said that everyone calls him "Beaver." He went on to explain that he had built the museum building, which looks like a classic old service station, in 2020, just to display his collection of antique gas station materials. Beaver told us that he has arranged for the museum to continue indefinitely. He then gave us a short tour of his service station memorabilia and also showed us his recently opened 3 space RV park which is just up the street. The park paid for itself in the first year. Even with Beaver explaining some of the tools and photos, looking at the item exhibited in the museum doesn't take very long. The most interesting thing at Koch's Service Station Museum is Beaver himself. Beaver retired in October 2021 and now has more time for his hobbies and is still adding to the collection. The museum and RV Park continue, but he is only available to open the museum during the warm part of the year. He now winters in Floria.
copyright 2021-2024 by Keith Stokes |
