Building of the Day: 1030 Atlantic Avenue

Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Former Tilden’s Service Station
Address: 1030 Atlantic Avenue
Cross Streets: Between Classon and Grand Avenue
Neighborhood: Crown Heights North/Crow Hill
Year Built: 1929
Architectural Style: Spanish Mission-inspired 20th century commercial
Architect: Unknown
Landmarked: No

The story: As the automobile became an important part of life for 20th century Brooklynites, all kinds of businesses were created to take care of the car. In addition to automobile dealerships, there were service stations, plain old gas stations, garages, tire and parts shops and other specialty shops dealing with the car and its upkeep. Atlantic Avenue developed as a largely commercial street with the advent of the LIRR train, which ran on the surface of the avenue from the terminal at Flatbush Avenue, out to East New York, and on to Queens. The train was not elevated or placed below ground until the early years of the 20th century.

In the late teens and 1920s, the stretch of Atlantic between Fort Greene and Utica Avenue became home to the car, with all kinds of automobile oriented businesses along its route. Most of the low-rise one and two story brick garage-type buildings that stretch along the street are from this era. Most are utilitarian structures for businesses that didn’t need to be fancy; they just needed to be functional for tire companies, mechanics and the like.
But many of the larger multi-storied structures are quite beautiful, built by companies such as Packard, Ford, Cadillac and other automobile makers to be enticing and glamorous to customers, whether as showrooms or service stations. A few smaller gas and service stations also wanted to differentiate themselves from the pack. They had architects design buildings that were memorable and interesting, and they offered services and amenities that made them stand out from all of the nearby businesses offering similar service.

Tilden’s Service Station was one of these stand-out companies. The first Tilden’s Service Station opened in Long Island City, this station was the fifth of the service stations owned by S. G. Tilden. He had other branches in Bay Ridge, and elsewhere in Brooklyn. It opened on April 12, 1929, in a two day celebration which showed off its fine new building and all of the amenities offered by the company. For these first two days, Mr. Tilden himself would present car owners who bought more than five gallons of gasoline with a gallon can of motor oil, free of charge.

Tilden called this garage a “Super Station.” In addition to the usual gas and oil, the station could completely service an automobile. Most of the nearby stations specialized in only one thing, like breaks, or transmissions. Tilden’s could do it all. There was 22,000 feet of service area. The fine looking Spanish Baroque influenced central building was flanked by two side buildings that stretched to the sidewalk, creating a courtyard. This can be seen, although not well, in a sketch from a 1929 ad.

The central building included a large rest area where customers could wait for their cars, a room that had comfortable furniture, beverages and snacks, and spacious men’s and ladies’ restrooms. They also had a special waiting room all kitted up for “women drivers.” In the garage bays, Tilden’s had the latest equipment. They boasted of three brake testing machines, plus a “Test-Your-Own-Brakes” machine that customers could do themselves. They also had a “Wheel-O-Meter” for front end wheel alignment, and technicians who specialized in wheels, tires and axels. They had several lubrication pits and large grease guns to inject lubricant into the undercarriage. They also had guys who specialized in the sale and recharging of batteries.

In addition to all of that, Tilden’s also had showers for their employees, so they could wash off the grime of the day, and the work spaces were well ventilated, lit and were pleasant places for the employees. The facility was well lit at night, and had the latest in electrically driven gasoline pumps. Mr. Tilden insisted on it. He called his new superstation, “Greater New York’s greatest service station.”

Tilden’s was in business here from 1929 until at least 1942, which was the date on the last ad I found. They may have lasted even longer. After Tilden’s was gone, the facility remained in the automotive business, and in the 1980s, when the tax photos were taken, was a car dealership called Atlantic Pontiac. It’s been closed for a great number of years, and has long been on the market. I fear whoever buys it will build either condos or a storage facility, and this delightful Spanish influenced building, with a clock that stopped long ago, will be only a forgotten memory. Someone with an alternative plan buy or lease this! Make a trendy bar, or restaurant or something, it’s perfect for that. You can even have limited parking. It’s a great piece of Brooklyn history. GMAP