Another old timers quiz

Ok, here goes. In Carneys Point, NJ there are 4 truck stops at exit 2 area off I-295. Pilot, Flying J, Deepwater Truck Stop {over on Rte.130} and the All American or Sunoco Truck Stop. My question is for the old timers like me if any of you remember if the All American was a TA way back when? I keep thinking that back in the late 60's-early70's this was a TA briefly before the Union 76 buyout thus the 76 in Paulsboro at exit 18 on I-295 became a TA.

Also how about the old abanded and still empty truck stop at exit 7 I-295, Pedricktown, NJ? I used to stop here almost daily when I ran that corridor. It was for sale for many years then taken off the market and now just sits there.

Lets move north on I-295 to exit 56. Anyone remember when the Petro was Bordentown Junction? I remember it being built. The Loves just down the road was a Pilot before the gov't forced Pilot to give up some locations after the Flying J merger. This one was the location for the old Sandman Truck Stop. Many stories about this one including the attached motel and bar. OK thanks for any replies and the memories.

 

You are so right Fozzy,
I have recollections of my Dad who was a long time Teamster wearing his dues paid pin on a ball cap sitting at a cafe counter with a dozen or more drivers discussing the events of the day.
It is true that most of the old true truck stops are gone or taken over by the big corporate stops and the rest were bulldozed to make room for big box stores.
Now you play the game of the "travel centers" with fast food, paid parking and cater to the 4 wheeler travelers and not the ones keeping this great country moving.

 

Fozzy,
I started driving in 1969 after the Navy. My early trucks were Macks. A40, B61 and I thought I died and went heaven in R600. No a/c, p/s or air seats.

The idea of the old truckstops were simple. Stop for fuel and an attendent filled your tanks, swept the floors, cleaned your windows and sometimes parked your truck.

I remember alot of the stops had roomettes on the upper floors with a bed and chair with an alarm on the wall to set and wake you up. Some had large rooms with 10-20 cots for resting.

The best were those with driver only sections to sit, unwind and bs with fellow drivers. Oh the good old days. I've been retired since 2011 and miss every day. My wife and I travel in our 5th wheel and always stop to eat, fuel and chat with the drivers whenever possible.

 

I agree with you. No I can't remember those. Most of my early stops were Pure and Union 76 Truck Stops and the original Truckstops of America. Most of my 44 years were spent in the states east of the Mississippi River and usually because of company preference. When I needed to eat I looked for the local Mom & Pop places. So many are gone and plowed over but memories last a lifetime.

 

Hey bthomann,

Just a thought but have you ever seen or read the book "All-American TRUCK STOPS" written by Guy Kudlemyer & Wayne Henderson? It is available on Amazon I think you would really enjoy it. It is loaded with articles and photos from a lot of the old stops long gone and new ones. Check it out.