Fairfield Foundation - Click on the circles to navigate
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Vision: To restore the Edge Hill Service Station and preserve it for future generations as a gateway to the Downtown Gloucester Historic District.

Background: The Fairfield Foundation, with the assistance of a generous donation from the Cook Foundation, acquired the Edge Hill Service Station from Andy James, Jr. and his wife, Roberta, in May 2010. We plan to restore the building and use it as the headquarters for our non-profit foundation.

How you can help: There are many ways to help. You can give a tax deductable donation to the Fairfield Foundation, for either the overall project, or a specific element (gas pump restoration, roof repair, etc.). You can also volunteer your time - plenty of hard work to be done. You can donate materials or supplies, such as gas station memorabilia or supplies we might need for the restoration of the building. You can also help us with the restoration through your old photographs, stories, and any memories you have of this distinct property. Everyone can chip in! Let us know what you'd like to do either by calling us (804-815-4467) or emailing us (fairfield@inna.net).

Donate: To make a cash donation to the project, just click the link below or send a check to the address listed beneath it. We will respond to your donation with an official letter of appreciation documenting your tax deductable contribution to our 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.

 

The Fairfield Foundation, P.O. Box 157, White Marsh, VA 23183
The south facade of the Edge Hill Texaco Service Station on December 18th, 2009. Most of the photographs displayed here were taken on that day. Notice the green circle within the pediment. There was once a stained glass Texaco sign located where the circle is. See below for more details.
An aerial view of the property in 2007 shows the intersection where many vehicles pass by the property each day, pausing at the traffic light, and then moving south to the Lower Peninsula or north to Mathews County and the Northern Neck.
We own the area outlined in red.
The station is located at the intersection of Rt. 14 (upper right) and U.S. Rt. 17 Business (Main Street) (left to right).
The east facade.
The east and north facades. The building has a concrete foundation. The walls incorporate metal beams and frame construction with a plaster finish applied over metal lathe.
The west facade: the western garage bay and attached rear room were both additions to the original building. The roof above the two garage bays, their rear rooms, and the rear portion of the reception area is flat. It has significant water damage that has also affected some of the walls and the metal lathe, which will require attention.
The eastern garage bay door appears to be original and could be used as a template for a replacement door to the western garage bay.
The car wash is currently active and will remain so as we begin the restoration of the service station.
This photograph shows the building ca. 2007 prior to when Andy James Jr.'s (prior owner) had the property painted.
This is a detail of an early 1930s color tinted photograph of the Edge Hill Texaco Service Station. Notice there is only one garage bay. Andy James Jr. has agreed to donate two of the original gas pumps and the remaining lamp posts for the restoration. He also will let us copy the stained glass Texaco sign in the building's pediment in order to make a replica for use in the restoration (see glass memorabelia case below). Notice some of the details, such as the pillars extending above the roof line, which we hope to integrate into the restoration.
The full extent of the photo above. Notice there is nothing behind the building but forest and field. The property was purchased from Gloucester native T.C. Walker, Virginia's first African-American lawyer and a noteworthy local figure. There is a remarkable road sign post along the right side of the photo (for detail, see below).
This is a slightly later photo which has the second garage bay and the full rear extension on the building. The large Texaco sign is in the earlier image, but it is so thin that it disappears in profile. The building to the right of the station is the "hot dog stand" and later bathroom that served the station and travelers.
John Harper, corporate historian for Chevron (Texaco), provided us with this image and the one below. The service station is classified as the "Highway Type" and were often seen in advertisements in the Saturday Evening Post. Notice the similar color scheme to the building's current paint job.
A slightly different version than Edge Hill, this service station apparently has an enclosed porch.
This was the only sign associated with the building which bore its name. It is proudly displayed in Andy James Jr.'s office.
Andy James Jr. is an avid collector of early gas station memorabelia and should be thanked repeatedly for his preservation of these remarkable antiques. Notice the photographs of the Edge Hill Service Station and the stained glass sign in the display case.
Board President Carl Fischer inspects the front windows within the reception area. The bench to the left appears original and a shadow of its twin is apparent on the right. The window frames throughout the building are original, although many of the panes are missing or broken.
The 1928 Plat which outlines the purchase of the property by J.C. Brown from T.C. Walker. This is where the Edge Hill Service Station was built.
Another photo of the service station, courtesy of Lee Brown.
   
   
 

 
A detail from the 1930s photograph showing the sign located adjacent the service station. The potential to replicate this sign with historic places (besides George Washington's Birthplace: Wakefield) could bring a sense of authenticity while highlighting other historic properties and destinations within the region.