Belleville History Alive!

Remember When: War rationing slowed the gas business, Part 1

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Uc\U Qt| ros. ^utoswent the 'Holway' '**" for service It might be said they kept Belleville's wheels rolling. Harold 'Bounce* and Albert Toots' Holway opened their service station on the southwest corner of Bridge and Front Streets in 1930 and continued pumping gasoline into thirsty autos for nearly 20 years. Toots was as well known for his professional hockey career in the 1920s as he was for the service station in the '30s. Holways greased city's wheels Bounce was also a hockey player of high calibre. Along with gasoline, the brothers sold car, truck and bus tires by the boatload. Belleville resident Bill Holway is the son of Toots and the former manager of the Firestone dealer's station from 1942-49. Tires came in numerous shapes and sizes and Holway says they had a bigger selection than any place between Montreal and Toronto. Customers included the Rawson bus company, the Rathbun bus line that ran between Trenton and Belleville, and Canada Transport, as well as individual customers. The latter likely bought fewer tires than big companies chloride kept the water from freezing in the winter and the water's weight gave the tire traction. Also on the lot, near the river, was a garage for the company's mechanics, a battery centre and a car wash. Vehicles were washed by hand, recalls Holway. In the main building there were two pits for working under cars. During the flood of Continued on Page 2. but gave the Holways just as much business in the company's vulcanizing department. Vulcanizing is a process in which damaged rubber tires are repaired with sulphur and heat. Another process they went through was filling tractor tires 75 per cent full with water and calcium chloride. The Correction · In the Jan. 2 edition of Remember When...an article on Holway Bros, service station incorrectly stated that Bill Holway worked for London Life. In fact, Mr. Holway worked for Mutual Life after, leaving the service station. Remember When... apologizes for the error. r Lon ,:? *//, &^z&L~

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