The pumps station, Crandall, South Dakota - Everything But the Gas
THE PUMPS STATION IN EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA
The Pumps Station Crandall, SD
There is nothing very ordinary or typical about the Pumps Gas station in the town of Crandall South Dakota. First off, if you pull into Crandall with your gas-gauge on empty you’re plum out of luck because this gas station has no gas. In fact, if you just swing by, it is fairly certain that the station will be closed. The town, with its total population of 7 is located at the base of the scenic Coteau Hills in Eastern South Dakota and is accessible by a gravel road far from any major interstate freeways. To find this place by accident you would probably have to be lost – most likely lost on purpose.
But if you visit the station on the second or fourth Sunday from June through October you’ll find a bit more action in Crandall. That action may vary mind you. You might get the chance to enjoy some great live music while enjoying an ice-cream or you might visit pleasantly with the stations proprietor – and his parents.
South Dakota gave birth to the town of Crandall in 1906. The rail
The Pumps Station Crandall, SD
road was the reason for the start as Texas cattle needed a track to western South Dakota for summer grazing and Crandall was the point the M & St. L railroad headed west.
The station itself was opened in 1934, and served as a grocery store, post office and local poker parlor on Monday nights.
According to the Standard Oil book the Crandall Station was the last Standard station to use gravity pumps in the United States. The station closed in 1971 with Ben Hildebrandt being the last owner, Ben had the Station for 30 years.
The station reopened in 2005 by current owner Dave Swain. In three years 1,700 people and one pet goat have traveled to this town of 7 people. The Pumps also has refreshments, ice-cream, local artist photography, postcards, t-shirts and South Dakota made products. The last Sunday in the months open will feature live music.
Mainstreetmoments.com visited the pumps and spoke with David Swain to find out a bit more about the place.
Mainstreetmoments: "What
Crandall South Dakota
inspired you to re-open a gas-station with no gas in a town with a population of 7?"
Swain: "To preserve some history of early automobile travel and to hang out with my parents on a Sunday."
Mainstreetmoments: "What parts of the country or world have your visitors been from?"
Swain: "Checking my guest book I believe 24 States and 4 countries which are Sweden, Ireland, England and Canada."
Mainstreetmoments: "What’s in store for the pumps station in the future, any plans or ideas?"
Swain: "The future is cleaning out the garage for some indoor music events in the Fall – in case of bad weather. Other than that I keep things simple, kind of like Crandall. I do invite bike riders to make this their destination for a camp over, also a star gazing camp over is being planed for early August. With no street lights this is a supreme spot for viewing."
David Swain was born in 1959 and when not enjoying a pleasant afternoon at The Pumps with his parents and friends, he works as a bartender in Aberdeen South Dakota. Some of his interests include photography and off the main road travel. Accompanied by his girlfriend Shelly and his cat Cliff, Swain has taken two 6 month road trips across the United States in a 1983 Chevy Van.
The Pumps is simple, just as David Swain says, and that is part of the appeal. If ever there was a place to find yourself lost, it is The Pumps Station in Crandall South Dakota
To more information on the pumps, contact David Swain at 605-216-2563 or email him at swainphotos@hotmail.com.
Author: James on 03/30 2011
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