Page's Service Station

Richie's American, June 2023.

Historical Overview

Standing at 98 Washington Road is a one-story brick auto shop. This building is one of the longtime commercial institutions of the historic West Windsor community of Penns Neck.

The earliest known proprietor here was Chester A. Page, who also owned the houses at 106 and 108 Washington Road.[1] Page advertised oil and oil accessories, tires, and more at his Mobil service station here.[2] In 1960, his property was converted into a Hess gas station and service center[3] and the next year expanded its tool rental service.[4]

In 1963 the property was sold to Robert and Frances Nemes,[5] who turned it into the "Penns Neck Texaco" gas station and service center.[6] Just two years later it was sold to Robert and Jean Dilley,[7] and in 1967 Richard Gemberling moved his service station from Princeton to here.[8] Richie's, too, offered service and gasoline, albeit "American" brand.[9] His Penns Neck American station only lasted one year, however, and in 1968 was taken over by Pat Hunter, who had previously operated the Atlantic service station at the intersection of Washington Road and Route 1.[10] Pat's "American Tire Center" specialized in light repair work.[11]

By 1973, the establishment had become Pat Butler's American & Tire Center,[12] but this, too, was sold in 1984 to Larry Mastropieri,[13] who operated it as "Larry's Car Care Center."[14]  At an unknown point in time, the premises became home to Cordero's Auto Repair, which still operates at the time of this writing (2023).

Princeton Swimming Pool, date unknown.

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Bibliography

1. C. Page Incorporated, Nemes, Francis J., Nemes. "Indenture." West Windsor, 1963. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1683 Page 560.
2. Chester A. Page. “C. Page For MobilHeat Fuel Oil.” Princeton Herald. Princeton, NJ, May 16, 1947. 
3. Chester A. Page. “TODAY New Hess Gas Station Opens on Washington Road, Princeton.” Town Topics. Princeton, NJ, October 30, 1960.
4. "C. Page Expands." Town Topics. December 3, 1961.
5. C. Page Incorporated, Nemes, Francis J., Nemes. "Indenture." West Windsor, 1963. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1683 Page 560.
6. Penns Neck Texaco. “BIG NEWS Penns Neck Texaco Opens Saturday, November 30.” Town Topics. Princeton, NJ, November 28, 1963.
7. Dilley, Jean, Dilley, Robert V., Nemes, Frances J., Nemes, Robert A. "Indenture." West Windsor, 1965. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1743 Page 584.
8. "Richie Moves Service." Town Topics. June 1, 1967.
9. Ibid.
10. "Tire Center Opened." Town Topics. May 9, 1968.
11. Ibid.
12. Pat Butler. “Pat Butler's.” The Evening Times. Trenton, NJ, June 4, 1973.
13. Butler, Helen M., Butler, Patrick E., Mastropieri, Larry A. "Deed." West Windsor, 1984. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 2268 Page 242.
14. "Free Car Care Clinics." Town Topics. September 18, 1985.