Skip to content
The Archive of The Carrboro Citizen
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Community
  • Schools
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • Mill
  • Flora
  • Print Archive
  • About
Menu

Pendergraft’s Service Station, 1955

Posted on September 6, 2012September 13, 2012 by Staff

A Thousand Words
By Jock Lauterer

Citizen reader Don Pendergraft sends in this delightful image from 1955, titled “Welcome to Elmer’s,” along with the following narrative: “Elmer was my father and passed away suddenly in 1977. In his brief time he lived through hard times and experienced some really good times. He was well known for his gentle wisdom and friendly and outgoing personality. On the left is Elmer O. Pendergraft, owner-operator, and Pap Andrews, friend-volunteer clerk in Pendergraft’s Service Station, ca. 1955. Elmer O. Pendergraft’s Service Station sat on West Franklin Street in the current location of Al’s Garage. Elmer Pendergraft and Ben Grantham opened the business in 1949. They had been employed at Eben Merritt’s Gas Station on Pittsboro Road. Elmer was a younger cousin of Merritt and Ben married Eben’s daughter. After WWII they decided to start a similar business between Chapel Hill and Carrboro to serve both communities as well the University. Pendergraft bought Grantham’s holdings after several years and was sole owner until his death in 1977. Pap Andrews was Raymond Andrews’ father. Raymond was co-owner of Andrews and Rigsbee Hardware and Ford Tractor Dealer in Carrboro. Elmer was an active merchant in Carrboro declaring his allegiance by having attended Carrboro School (now town hall) as a young boy. The residents in Tin-Top, a small community behind the station on Brewer Lane and the adjoining neighborhoods on Merritt Mill Road, were frequent customers. The ‘station’ was a gathering spot.”

Editor’s Note: After working in Elizabeth City for 19 years, Don Pendergraft moved back home this summer and now lives on Barbee Chapel Road in Chapel Hill. He is the design section chief at the North Carolina Museum of History.

A THOUSAND WORDS
Do you have an important old photo that you value? Email your photo to jock@email.unc.edu and include the story behind the picture. Because every picture tells a story. And its worth? A thousand words.
More “A Thousand Words”

Web Archive

© 2025 The Archive of The Carrboro Citizen | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme