Another historical Paul photo I thought I would share. This old gas station is still on the south side of West Ellis Street in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho. I was started and operated by Clyde Richans and later by Jim Brown. It was bought by Snyders who added on to the west end of the building.

I have only ever known it as owned by Snyder’s, but did a little digging.

Richfield Oil was founded in 1907. Richfield Oil and Atlantic Refining merged in 1966 to create the Atlantic Richfield Company, known as ARCO now. This photo likely predates that merger with the use of the Richfield logo. I do not know how long this little gas station operated, but by the time I was running around in the 1980s, it was no longer a gas station. I do not know if it ever used the ARCO label or not.

I did a little homework on Clyde Richan. Clyde Lavar Richan was born 15 February 1927 in Tooele, Tooele, Utah and on the 1930 Census was living in Ely, White Pine, Nevada. By 1935, his family had moved to Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. His father was also named Clyde Richan (1904-1992). Clyde had a brother who lived to be 6, Eldon Leo Richan (1928-1934), but that was all of the children for Clyde and Verona (1905-1989).

Clyde married El Vera Louise Bott (1927-2018) in 1945. Her obituary included some insights into her and Clyde. Apparently he also started the Tri-City Rebuilders, which I knew on other side of Paul.

RUPERT – ElVera Louise Richan, a lifetime Minidoka County resident, joined her beloved husband, Clyde Richan, on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Her life has been an ordinary and interesting journey. She was born the second child of Ottone “Toni” Bott and Esther Garbardi Bott at home on a farm near Paul, Idaho, on March 1, 1927. She attended the Paul Grade School, graduated from Paul High School, and went on to further study at Idaho State University and College of Southern Idaho.

On a very important day in June 1945, she married her high school sweetheart and best friend. They moved to San Diego, California, where Clyde served in the United States Navy and ElVera worked for the American Red Cross at the Regional Naval Base. They returned to Minidoka County, their roots, to raise their two children, Toni and Ted, to work, and to enjoy their lives.

While her husband started two successful businesses, Paul Automotive and Tri-City Rebuilders, ElVera worked at Idaho First National Bank for 22 years as a commercial and agricultural loan officer. She had previously worked for the Minidoka County Courts and Schools.

ElVera was active in the community serving on the Project Mutual Telephone Board, Minidoka Hospital Board, and Rupert Library Board. She was also treasurer of the Minidoka County Highway Board for 32 years and a lifetime member of the St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Rupert.

Snow skiing, water skiing, hiking, camping and golfing, were activities she enjoyed with her husband, children, grandchildren, and many wonderful friends. So many great memories!

She is survived by her daughter, Toni Marie Merz; sister, Dolly Kidd; grandchildren, Christopher Merz, Ted S Richan, and Tonya White; other close family, Sharon and Mark Kidd; and 13 beautiful great-grandchildren.