Clifford and Florence Holmbeck first started running the Shell Station on the corner of Allen and Cross streets in December of 1951. They did this on a salary basis until March of 1952 when they took over on their own.

In 1958 the Mobil Oil Company tore down the Woodard house on Durand Street to build a new station in Clinton on the corner of Durand Street and Milwaukee Road.

The Holmbeck’s opened it up and turned it into a

family operation with their oldest son, Murel, working for them for awhile.

When their next son, David, returned from the Navy in 1960, he joined his parents in running the business.

In 1970, because of his health, Mr. Holmbeck had to discontinue working at the station, but on occasion, you would see him there visiting with the customers he has gotten to know over the years.

The Holmbeck’s motto over the years was:

"𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘞𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴”