In November, 2019 I was able to spend a couple of enjoyable hours talking to John Gilmour, Jr, Bob Gilmour’s son. Some interesting facts came out the conversation. Namely, the neon signage was probably added to the station in the early ‘40s. John recalls a 1936 Ford which his Dad drove. Living in a building behind the station was a fellow “who was an artist.”  He asked the guy to paint something on the trunk lid of the car to promote the station. (If you will, an early “wrap”). Bob had already been using the “Bob Cat For Service” slogan. Thus the idea of the Tuxedo adorned Bob Cat was painted on the Ford’s truck lid. They also added “Howdy Folks” and "A Bob Cat for Service” to the trunk lid. Bob recalls when riding in the car, getting thumbs up and horn beeps from folks.

It was sometime later that the “Howdy Folks” was actually added to the top of the building (early ‘40s?). Then later yet the big “Bob’s Place” was added, above and surrounding the original “Howdy Folks” on the roof top. Also added later were the “A Bob-Cat For Service” sign across the front and the iconic Bob Cat sign dressed in a Tux.  Research found This great article about Bob's Place written by Keith Sculle in 1985.   In that article were these two pictures of the station in its early days.. They document no signs on the building originally. In about 1946 it sported the only the "Howdy Folks", "A Bob-Cat For Service",  and the bobcat in a Tux and top hat.   The big "Bob's Place" was added on top of "Howdy Folks" later.  

 When the building was being razed, I considered trying to get the sign. But I didn’t follow thru because at the time I didn’t have any place to put the sign.  But after getting the 240 Bryant building in 1997, inquiries were started to see if anyone knew the whereabouts of the sign.  After couple years of investigation, Jimmy Aretakis located the sign. He called me and said, "I found it!!!!")  It was in the back yard of the fellow who had the foresight and talent to get the sign off the building before it was demolished.  The fellow didn’t wish to sell the whole double sided sign, but we agreed to cut it in half so that we could each have a wall mounted version.    

Back in 1999 in the process of researching the station’s history, I was able to contact John Gilmour, Jr. Bob Gilmour's son (who was born in the house next to the station.)   He and his wife, Bonnie, and his brother Tom  (pictured at right) were invited to a party we had at the shop back in 1999.  It was a party for a bunch of our gearhead friends and a good excuse for an unveiling of the sign. It was a privilege to see the Gilmours getting a such a big kick out of being reunited with the sign.  What was more surprising was how many party guests were anxious to talk to the John, Bonnie, and Tom about their dad Bob Gilmour and all the fond memories they people had of the filling station.  It was really quite amazing to see how many lives were touched by Bob's Place.

The wonderful top-hatted bobcat sign is still with the family and is stored in Arizona. It was the only part of the station they salvaged.  The other significant piece of signage is the "A Bob Cat for Service" sign across the front of the station.  That piece is now in the hands of Corky Scholl (producer of the neat 9New feature) awaiting a good place to display it in a public museum setting dedicated to old Denver signage.    

Also in my collecting process I've been able to obtain quite a bit of small pieces of “Bob's Place” memorabilia.  Gas stations used to give away all kinds of stuff with their logo on it.  Lots of pens, gas mileage calculators, note pads, matches, coffee mugs, etc. are now also a part of the “Bob’s Place” memorabilia collection.  When was the last time a filling station gave you anything for just coming in?  Times have changed, huh?

In November of 2022 descendants of Bob Gilmour and John Gilmour (Bob's son) visited the Team Terrific Racing shop where the "Bob's Place" sign now hangs.   In picture at left are Bobby and Lisa Beeson and me.    The also brought their kids, Jordan on left, Ty and Brendan. to soak up some family heritage.  Bobby is great grandson of Bob Gilmour and grandson of John Gilmour.  Sadly John Gilmour (Pictured above back in 1999) passed away in just the last year. His brother Tom and wife Bonnie pre-deceased him.