Arnold’s Gas Station in South Whitley has a history stretching back to 1935, when Esta Arnold first opened the service station for business. Photo from South Whitley Community Public Library.

News Release

SOUTH WHITLEY — Along with the water tower, Arnold’s Gas Station is probably on a list of the top 5 landmarks in South Whitley.

Since 1935, the brick building at the corner of State and Wayne streets has been a community landmark. The building may be the physical landmark, but perhaps more than the building, it is the family who operated a business from that location for 90-plus years that has made the site a community landmark.

Esta Arnold established himself as a local businessman in 1926 with the opening of a Standard Oil service station at the corner of Columbia and State streets, where Carol’s Corner is currently located. Three years later, he decided to become an independent dealer and moved his business, Arnold Oil Company, to the former Edwards building, which was located where the vacant lot is next to Crossroads Bank. He shared the building with Arthur Allen, who had a plumbing and heating business.

A vintage aerial view of the old Arnold Gas Station. Photo from South Whitley Community Library.

In 1934, Arnold looked to move his business again. Henry Auker had purchased the existing structures at the corner of State and Wayne streets, had them torn down and hired a contractor to build a new brick structure. Arnold made a deal with Auker to purchase the new building and lots when it was completed. In 1935, Arnold moved his gas station to the newly completed building and a landmark was established.

Arnold equipped the new building to be a super service station, handling gasolines, oils, greases, batteries, tires, tubes and everything else needed for automobiles. He had gasoline pumps facing two streets and offered vehicle service and repair.

Esta’s three sons joined him in the business, first Ed in 1947, Larry in 1954 and Jim in 1960. The sons purchased the business from their father in 1977 and changed the name to Arnold Brothers. In 1993, the brothers removed the gas pumps from the business and focused on car repair and maintenance.

At the end of their careers, there were efforts to find someone to carry the business forward, but it was not to be and the building was sold in 2018 to Rick and Teresa Cokl, who have kept the landmark building intact.

Photo from South Whitley Community Public Library.