From Esso to destroyed by fire to Exxon to Jeeps to glass, this building has served a lot of purposes

By Charlie Hutson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The Central Service Station was opened in 1946 by Bill Hovater and Hubert Parker. In 1948, Joe Martin became the owner, and since, the station saw many owners during its time.

The above image was from the time H. M. (Huddy ) Scott owned the station which started in 1956. That was the same year Esso started using Humble in their advertisement as you can see on the front of the building.

This building burned in 1968 with a new station being built in its place.

In the 1970s, Esso became Exxon.

After the building was no longer being used as a service station, it served as the location for John Ward’s Jeep and AMC dealership. After the dealership moved, it turned into the Home of the Lafollette Glass Co.

The service station building was replaced in 2008 with the current building. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-06/26/2025-6AM)

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