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March 1940. "High school boys in jalopy. Genoa, Nevada." Medium format negative by Arthur Rothstein, Farm Security Administration. View full size.
Founded by Mormons in 1851 as a trading post. I wouldn't doubt the sign may date from that era, going by its design and typography. Obviously it has some historic significance, since the picture posted showing the building today still has the sign up.
This should be the picture used by every Dictionary to explain the meaning of the word Jalopy.
See also - Hooptie.
Powder shot and fuse. If it's hardware they had it.
Gas is 23 cents a gallon in 1940 desert country. According to the inflation calculator I just used that is worth $3.51 in 2017. Gas my way yesterday was $2.14 regular and E85 was $1.36. And I don't have WW2 draft boards looming close at hand either.
Here the buildings are in 1959.
The building on the far left is the oldest saloon in Nevada and is still with us today. The one on the far right has a newer gas pump and still has the varnish sign.
And here in March, 2015. (Also seen here. -Dave)
The road has been narrowed, the stone building finally got its porch roof back, and the red building has lost its gas pump but kept the sign.
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