Clark Criss was born in 1899 in Winterset, and as an adult moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa. In the mid-1930s, he returned to his hometown and in 1934 built this station using stones he found in Arkansas for the front wall. He operated it for one year and sold gas for 12.5 cents a gallon. After selling the station, he relocated to Kansas.
In 1935, Rex Martin and his brother Cliff renamed their full-service business Martin Brothers Oil Company and ran it for 35 years. The Martins retired in 1970 and sold the station to Jack Farlow who changed the name to J & D Oil Company. After 13 years, Farlow sold the property to Brittain’s Fine Floors who used the building temporarily until their new space could be built.
The Marten Station was donated by Ron and Freda (Gonseth) Brittain. A community effort, led by Patricia (Fowler) Montross, funded the move to the Historical Society.
Year Built: 1934
Moved to Museum Complex: 1995
Original location: Winterset, 1st Avenue and West Washington Street
