Speedway 79
by Barry Bauer
This Speedway 79 full service gas station was located at 711 N. US-127 BR in this circa 1960s photo. Note the old City water tower in the background on the left. To the right beyond the guy on the tractor was the beginnings of Orchard Glen Subdivision (a sign is on the left of the tractor) named so because of the orchard the subdivision would soon replace. The orchard belonged to the Mazzolini family.
Two more stalls were added to the south side of the building.
Carl Ludwick, a former car salesman for Bee’s Chevy & Olds, had a used car lot here in the late 1960s and early 1970s. That was followed by a succession of tire businesses. St. Johns Tire Service, Bob’s Tire & Repair, and Performance Tire were located here.
It recently changed ownership and today it’s Budget Tire.