Way back in the '40s when there wasn't much more in these parts than some cabins and the old fishing lodge, a couple of folks named Chester and Hester decided to go into business. Anticipating the traffic that might come from the recent expansion of Route 498 into a U.S. Highway, they put their savings into building a gas and service station along the side of the road (Notice the sign on the gas pump states that the fuel contains lead).
Since they were the only gas stop for miles, they did pretty well in those early years, but in 1947 everything changed. Dinosaur fossils were discovered nearby. Soon Chester and Hester, along with the rest of the country, had caught dinosaur fever. The couple started doing some digging of their own and even sold a few rocks and fossils to people passing through.
Chester and Hester began offering more and more dinosaur-related souvenirs at their station. Before long, though, they saw the writing the wall. Modern filling stations were cropping up all along the highway, and they just couldn't compete. So Chester and Hester finally made the decision to give up the gas business completely, evolving their entire establishment into Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures.
Today, much to the chagrin of Diggs County's more serious-minded residents, you can't miss the Dino Emporium. The old service station has been painted in gaudy colors and covered with every type of advertising to catch the attention of passing motorists. "We're Erupting with Gifts!" "Going Out of Existence Sale - Everything Must Go!"
Notice that the "T-Rex Souvenirs Are King" billboard is actually painted on top of an old sign advertising gas for 28.9¢ a gallon.
Inside, there are still plenty of remnants of the original service station. The garage doors still open, and there are lots of cans of oil, fan belts and other parts just in case someone still needs anything.
Of course, some things are kept around simply for nostalgia. The Coca-Cola keeps much better in the modern cooler across the room, but the old one holds so many memories they just couldn't get rid of it. Same goes for the rotary dial pay phone. She doesn't get much use these days either.
In another corner of the shop, look for a picture of Chester and Hester themselves, along with photos of the happy couple from the early years. Didn't Chester look smart in his service station uniform? Why, they've even framed the very first dollar they ever earned.
Chester and Hester do dearly love the things of the past, but that's okay. After all, their business is selling souvenirs of the past to the dinosaur tourists of today.
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