Hall's Service Station

Hall's service station, 1962. Photo by Howard E. Schrader.

Historical Overview

Located at 78 Princeton-Hightstown Road, at the southern corner of the intersection of that road with Alexander Road, is a Valero gas station and 7-Eleven convenience store. This property has roots in mid-century Princeton Junction.

In 1945, Fred D. Hall and his wife, Catherine A. Hall, purchased a parcel of farmland at the corner of Alexander and Princeton-Hightstown Roads.[1] It was around this time that they established a gas station and automobile service center here. It was a Texaco station at first, and became an Esso station after their son, Joe, as well as his wife, Edith, purchased the property in 1964.[2],[3]

​In addition to providing gas and repairs, Hall's had a soda fountain and luncheonette, furnished with red upholstered booths, in the large room at the front of the station. Frozen custard was also available at a service window shown at the front of the building in the photo above. The portion of the building at the right side, with two bay windows, was rented as an apartment. Some longtime residents may also remember a basement room in the station where a pool table provided entertainment to friends.[4]

In 2012 or 2013, the building was demolished and replaced by a 7-Eleven with a Valero gas station.[5],[6] However, the property continues to serve locals and travelers alike, as it has done for generations.

Hall's service station, 1989.

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Bibliography

1. Hall, Edith M., Hall, Fred D., Hall, Joseph W., Hall, Pauline. West Windsor, 1964. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1697 Page 23.
2. “Broadside,” 1998. Newsletter about the history of Princeton Junction (Part 1 of a 2-part series) produced by the Historical Society of West Windsor. Spring 1998.
3. Hall, Edith M., Hall, Fred D., Hall, Joseph W., Hall, Pauline. West Windsor, 1964. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1697 Page 23.
4. “Broadside,” 1998. Newsletter about the history of Princeton Junction (Part 1 of a 2-part series) produced by the Historical Society of West Windsor. Spring 1998.
   
5. "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2012.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2012.
   
6. "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2013.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2013.