Payne and Twomey: 1925

Based on a bit of reading between the lines, I believe the industrial building in the background is the Hydraulic-Press Brick Company. In the 1920s it specialized in a face brick called Hy-tex, which could be the wording on the lower banner. Its offices were in the Colorado Building in downtown Washington. I'm still trying to figure out where the plant was.

[Washpost archives: In 1932 the Hytex brick plant was on the Alexandria Pike. - Dave]

I just wanna try the Tobacco Cakes. Sounds yummy.

Another fantastic photo. I notice the poles all look like raw trees pressed into quick service. I love the humble gas station building; it reminds me of ones you might have seen in the south, yet here it is in D.C. The industrial tanks and buildings that curve along the road on our left make for even more interest. This tiny store and gas station is the "grandfather" of today's convenience store.

How crude those posts look. They appear to be as is tree trunks. I wonder if the were coated with something like creosote. How did they stand up over the years?

Payne & Twomey's is apparently a proud purveyor of Chero-Cola. I looked it up and it was one of several soft drinks under the umbrella of Chero-Cola Co. which was later renamed the Nehi Corporation. Chero-Cola was revamped in the mid-30s and rebranded as Royal Crown.

[Below, a 1922 Chero-Cola ad from an Ohio newspaper. - Dave]