The Central Avenue Strip

The expression “Central Avenue strip” was not unique to Toledo. In Los Angeles, Central Avenue had become a celebrated center of Black nightlife and jazz by the 1930s, and the stretch of clubs and businesses was subsequently remembered as the “Central Avenue strip.” The expression has appeared in a few other places as well, but in those instances strip is consistently lowercase. Only in Toledo have I found Strip capitalized.

Having some familiarity with the slogan, I was certain it got its start in the early 1980s. However, my initial research shows that it appeared as early as 1976.

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Texaco and Dewey Oil Company, 3536 & 3538 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd.

Toledo Lucas County Public Library Auditor’s Images Collection (“Blockcards”)

Located across from the former Driftwood Lounge (aka Frontier Bar). Also known as Barney’s Texaco Service and Glanzman Texaco Service. The Texaco station (above) was demolished c1990s. The Dewey Oil Company building (later the Texas Company, then Star Oil Company) remains as Joe’s car sales.

The Dewey Oil Company building is located directly next to the railroad tracks. Texaco was directly next door, to the right in this picture, just out of frame. Toledo Lucas County Public Library Auditor’s Images Collection (“Blockcards”)
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