Kidwell Oil was a staple on the south end of Clay Center for decades. From the time it was purchased in 1963 by Paul Kidwell, it was run as a full service station, until the early 80s when it was switched to a convenience store by his son, Tom.
He was the third-generation Kidwell to own and operate a service station in town. His grandpa, also Tom, but most often known as TE, ran Gabbert Oil Company in two locations in Clay Center, both on the corners of 4th and Grant.
Randy, grandson of TE and son of Paul, said the location was busy with the sale barn just one block west.
After TE passed away, Paul ran the station for three more years before purchasing the location at 208 S 6th St. Randy said his parents sold their house, car, and anything else they could to pay for the lot. It came with a house directly to the north, which the family lived in for a year.
Needing the space for parking, the house, which was most likely built in 1910, was moved to the 900 block of Clay St., where it still sits today.
Landing a contract with Key Feeds, Kidwell’s soon added a bay that could house taller trucks. Another room was added to the station in order to house a mechanic, Randy said.
Meanwhile, Paul’s wife, Donna, handled the bookkeeping and business finances.
The pair’s eldest son, Mike, remembered the family switching to Champlain Oil when they purchased the location.
Across the street to the east came a building with the service station. At first it was used for storage, but in the early 70s, he cleaned it out and added sheetrock to open the original location of Kidwell’s Liquor.
In 1980 they built the location that is now Southside Liquor. Paul owned the store until 2001, running it as his retirement gig when he sold the business to his son Tom in 1974.
Kidwell Oil continued until it was closed in 1987.
It 1989 the building was purchased by Mel Anderson for his plumbing business.
Anderson said original features still exist, for instance windows and the roof; when additions were made they were built above the original facade. He also has the location’s original cooler that held beverages for sale when it switched to a convenience store.
Mel’s Pump and Plumbing remains at the location today.
Research by Susan Hammond
