Heather Bell
RADFORD – Whenever members of the Collins family visit Radford, they gather with family members who still live in the city and conversations often center on the Colonial Gulf Station, which Sherman Collins and his brother David and Bill Collins ran for decades in Radford.
Colonial Gulf was a mainstay in the city, servicing the vehicles of countless residents, and the Collins brood spent a lot of time there, from working side-by-side with their dads to just hanging out.
“I grew up at this station from the time I was 13 years old,” recalls Mike Collins, Sherman’s son.
“It was a great place to work,” added Dean Collins, also Sherman’s son.
“We had a good time as kids,” said Mike.
“I used to love hanging out here as a kid and riding around in the wrecker truck,” said Sandra Caldwell, Bill’s granddaughter.
Gale Collins, former Radford vice mayor and city council member, said one of her greatest memories as a teenager was being allowed to drive the tow truck into the service bay.
“That was a big deal to be allowed to do, because it took a lot of precision – it was a pretty tight fit,” she said.
The Collins family was well known for helping folks out when it came to getting their vehicles towed or serviced. Fair prices, personal customer service and high-quality work kept customers coming back. These days, the building is once again a focal point in the city as the Radford Info and Welcome Center. Radford Economic Development Director Kim Repass said the re-use of the building is a great way to keep history alive.
“This piece of property will always hold long lasting memories to our community as Sherman’s Gulf Station,” she said. “Anyone that has lived in Radford during those years has a story of how that gas station and its employees have impacted their life. It is such a wonderful opportunity for the city to now house our Info and Welcome Center on the grounds of so much history.”
The Radford Info and Welcome Center has literature for visitors and residents about Radford and also sells an array of Radford and Radford Bobcat-themed items, like clothing and travel mugs. It is located at 701A W. Main St. and is open Tuesday- Thursday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.