Monthly Feature         November 2002
Canadian Oil Companies Ltd.

White Rose Windshield Service
 

While most White Rose stations in the late 40's and early 50's
would have been issued this sign, I believe it to be quite rare today.
 It measures 10" X 12" and has a mounting bracket on the back.
A 1948 White Rose News contained the earliest photos of this sign .
 

 This White Rose Windshield Service item had a built in
towel dispenser at the bottom , garbage can,  as well as
side pockets for the squeeze bottle and possibly a squeegee.
I have included photos  from my collection of White Rose News
showing this item mounted on the light pole and also atop oil can racks.
Note that this particular dispenser utilized a post 1953 logo ,
close examination of said photos will reveal the same style was
used with the round , pre-1953 logo.
 
 

A recent find , this plastic spray bottle reads "Windshield Service Sells"
It measures 6" tall and incorporates a "spray action" nozzle under the red cap.
Photos from old White Rose News show similar bottles in the side pockets
or on top the towel dispenser shown above.
 

"Its the little things in life that count"
With cold weather ahead , a 50-50 mixture of plain denatured alcohol and water
for cleaning windshields can be satisfactorily used. Care must be taken to see that
it does not drip down on the car finish. In other words only dampen the cloth with
the mixture.
White Rose posters --- 10" X 24" --- lithographed in attractive colours, are available
for all White Rose dealers on request. These window banners reading -----
"Its a pleasure to clean your windshield !"
prove worthwhile reminders that it's a service customers really appreciate.

                                                    Borrowed , with thanks , from the Autumn 1947 White Rose news

Not all windshield service happened at the pump island.
Sometimes it they needed attention at home too.
     Here are only three of  several styles of ice scrapers that were given out.
and two versions of White Rose windshield washer fluid containers.
The one on the left dates before 1963 , while the other says
Canadian Oil Company ---A Division of Shell

Colourful banner with  the post 1953 wedge logo.
 

 Unfortunately the photo does not reproduce well but a sharp eyed attendant could
slip this glass plate under a wiper blade . It is silk screened with this message:
"This wiper blade is worn
We will replace it for you in two minutes"
 
 

Harmony Motors in Oshawa , Ontario 1949
Its very hard to see, but  the oil can rack in the middle
of the pump island has both the towel dispenser and
White Rose Windshield Service sign  mounted on top.
 

Red Deer, Alberta 1952
This photo shows a little better view of a similar
can rack, leading me to believe they were
 available that way from the manufacturer.
 

    An identical windshield service sign  and a similar, but different
towel dispenser can be seen on the island light pole in this 1951 photo.

  I just had to include this photo of the White Rose Station at Dundas and Burwell streets
in London Ontario, 1951. While close examination will reveal  the sign and towel
dispenser on the island light pole , it is the neon sign on the adjacent wall that is
truly spectacular. It was the largest sign of its kind in Western Ontario  ,
measuring 35 ' tall X 32 ' wide. The rose , from the bottom  of the stem is
18' high, 6' wide and contains approximately 1000 electric light bulbs.
It incorporated  425' of neon tubing in the sign.
A reader of  this web site informed me his grandfather ran this station
and was gracious enough to send me an original colour film , transferred to
video tape of the sign in operation. The sign illuminates from the bottom of
the stem , progressing toward the top adding colours, then repeats . It is truly
magnificent to see, but unfortunately I lack the knowledge to include it on this page.
Regrettably, I have lost track of this fellow. I do hope he sees it and contacts me again.

Stay tuned for more White Rose neon signs in an up coming Monthly Feature.