The Evolution of a Lisbon Village Landmark: 215 Lisbon Street, 1989–Present

Introduction

The commercial property located at 215 Lisbon Street in Lisbon Village, Maine, represents more than the history of a single neighborhood gasoline station. Over the past four decades, the site has reflected changing economic conditions, evolving environmental regulations, and the continuing efforts of local businesses to preserve and revitalize the commercial center of Lisbon. From its modernization as a Getty-branded gasoline station in 1989 to its closure in 2022 and subsequent restoration by Danto Drywall, the property's history illustrates the broader transformation experienced by many small-town commercial properties throughout New England.¹

Situated along Lisbon Street, one of the community's principal commercial corridors, the property served residents of Lisbon and neighboring communities during a period of significant change in the petroleum industry. During the late twentieth century, independently operated gasoline stations increasingly became affiliated with regional fuel distributors while continuing to display nationally recognized gasoline brands. At the same time, stricter environmental regulations required owners to modernize underground petroleum storage systems to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and improve public safety.²

State environmental records indicate that new underground gasoline storage tanks were installed at 215 Lisbon Street in September 1989, marking the beginning of the property's documented modern history as a retail fuel facility. Although earlier commercial uses of the parcel remain the subject of ongoing historical research, the installation of new tanks suggests either the construction of a new Getty service station or the substantial modernization of an existing gasoline business to comply with contemporary environmental standards.³

For more than thirty years the Getty station functioned as a familiar local business within Lisbon Village. While modest in comparison with the large convenience-store travel centers that emerged during the 1990s and 2000s, neighborhood gasoline stations continued to play an important role in the daily lives of residents by providing fuel, convenience items, and a visible commercial presence in the downtown district. Ownership of fuel distribution at the Lisbon station was associated with Lehigh Gas, one of several regional distributors that supplied Getty-branded fuel throughout the northeastern United States during this period.⁴

Like hundreds of similar neighborhood service stations throughout Maine, however, the Getty station faced increasing economic challenges during the early twenty-first century. Competition from larger convenience stores, rising maintenance costs, environmental compliance requirements, and changing consumer purchasing habits steadily reduced the viability of many independently operated gasoline stations. Across the state, numerous small fuel retailers either consolidated under larger corporate operators or permanently ceased operation.⁵

The Getty station at 215 Lisbon Street ultimately closed in early 2022. According to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the underground petroleum storage tanks at the facility were officially placed out of service on March 30, 2022, bringing an end to more than three decades of documented gasoline sales at the location.⁶ Following its closure, the vacant building became one of several underutilized commercial properties within Lisbon Village awaiting new investment.

Rather than remaining vacant indefinitely, the property entered a new chapter when Danto Drywall acquired and rehabilitated the former service station. The restoration transformed what municipal officials described as a deteriorated property into an active commercial business, contributing to the continuing revitalization of Lisbon's downtown district. In the Town of Lisbon's annual report, local officials specifically cited the restoration of the former Getty station as an example of successful private investment that improved both the appearance and economic vitality of the community.⁷

The transformation of 215 Lisbon Street therefore reflects more than the replacement of one business by another. It demonstrates how changing environmental policy, economic restructuring, and local entrepreneurship combined to reshape a familiar commercial landmark. By examining the property's evolution from 1989 to the present, this study provides insight into the broader history of small-town commercial development in central Maine.

Modernization and Construction of the Getty Station (1989–1995)

The year 1989 marked an important transition point in the documented history of 215 Lisbon Street. The installation of new underground gasoline storage tanks placed the property within a period of significant modernization in Maine's petroleum retail industry. During the late twentieth century, gasoline stations across the state were required to upgrade older underground storage systems because of increasing concerns about leaking petroleum products, soil contamination, and threats to groundwater resources. The federal Underground Storage Tank program, established in the 1980s, encouraged states to adopt stricter standards for the installation, monitoring, and closure of petroleum storage systems.¹

For small communities such as Lisbon, these changes had a direct effect on local businesses. Gas stations that had operated for decades with aging tanks and simple fueling infrastructure faced substantial costs to remain compliant with new regulations. Many operators either invested in updated facilities or exited the petroleum business entirely. The documented installation of new tanks at 215 Lisbon Street in 1989 suggests that the property owner made a significant investment to continue operating as a modern gasoline retailer.²

The station's association with the Getty brand placed it within a long history of petroleum marketing in the northeastern United States. Getty Oil had developed from an independent American oil company into a nationally recognized gasoline brand, particularly well known in the Northeast. Although the company itself underwent major corporate changes during the late twentieth century, the Getty name continued to appear at many independently operated gasoline stations through licensing and supply agreements.³

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Getty-branded stations represented a common model within the gasoline industry: a locally operated business supported by a larger regional fuel supplier. This arrangement allowed independent station owners to maintain a recognizable brand identity while obtaining access to fuel distribution networks, marketing materials, and industry support. At 215 Lisbon Street, fuel operations were connected with Lehigh Gas, a regional petroleum company that supplied Getty-branded locations in Maine and other northeastern states.⁴

The modernization of the Lisbon station occurred during a period when Lisbon Village itself was adapting to broader economic changes. Like many Maine communities located near larger commercial centers, Lisbon experienced changes in shopping patterns, transportation, and employment. Residents increasingly traveled to nearby Lewiston and Auburn for larger retail options, while traditional village businesses faced pressure to maintain their relevance. Small businesses located along Lisbon Street therefore remained important not only as places of commerce but also as visible signs of community activity.⁵

Throughout the 1990s, the Getty station likely served the everyday needs of local motorists who depended on neighborhood fuel providers. Although the property was not a large highway travel center, its location on Lisbon Street allowed it to serve residents traveling through the village and surrounding neighborhoods. Gasoline stations during this period often functioned as more than fuel providers; they served as informal meeting places where customers exchanged local news, purchased small convenience items, and maintained relationships with business owners and employees.

The operation of the Getty station also reflected the changing nature of service stations nationwide. Earlier twentieth-century filling stations frequently emphasized automotive repair, mechanical service, and personal customer interaction. By the late twentieth century, many stations increasingly focused on fuel sales and convenience retail rather than automobile repair. Environmental requirements, labor costs, and competition from larger retailers encouraged this shift.⁶

Although detailed daily business records for the Lisbon Getty station are not publicly available, the property's continued operation for more than three decades indicates that it remained economically viable within the local market. The station's longevity suggests that it filled an important role within Lisbon Village, maintaining a commercial presence through years when many small independent gasoline retailers disappeared.

The period beginning in 1989 therefore represents the establishment of the property's modern identity. The upgraded fuel infrastructure, Getty branding, and connection to regional petroleum distribution networks allowed the station to continue serving the Lisbon community into the twenty-first century. However, the same forces that shaped the station's modernization—environmental regulation, industry consolidation, and changing consumer behavior—would eventually contribute to its closure.

The Getty Station Years: Community Role and Industry Change (1995–2022)

During the years following its 1989 modernization, the Getty station at 215 Lisbon Street remained part of the everyday commercial landscape of Lisbon Village. The station represented a type of small-scale business that had historically been common throughout Maine: a locally familiar gasoline retailer connected to a larger petroleum distribution network. While larger corporate fuel centers increasingly dominated the industry, neighborhood stations continued to provide important services to residents who valued convenience and accessibility.¹⁴

The continued operation of the Getty station reflected the importance of location in small-town commerce. Lisbon Street functioned as a transportation route connecting residential areas, local businesses, and nearby communities. A gasoline station positioned along this corridor benefited from regular traffic generated by residents commuting to work, shopping locally, and traveling between Lisbon and the greater Lewiston-Auburn area. Although the station did not operate on the scale of modern highway fuel plazas, its presence contributed to the commercial activity of the village center.¹⁵

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, however, the petroleum retail industry underwent major structural changes. Independent gasoline stations increasingly faced competition from national convenience-store chains, supermarkets offering fuel discounts, and larger regional operators. These businesses often had greater purchasing power, larger parking areas, expanded retail offerings, and the ability to operate at lower profit margins. Small stations that depended primarily on gasoline sales found it increasingly difficult to compete.¹⁶

Environmental regulation also continued to influence the operation of older gasoline facilities. Underground petroleum storage tanks required regular monitoring, inspections, and compliance with state and federal standards. While these regulations improved environmental protection and reduced the risk of petroleum contamination, they also created financial burdens for small station owners. Maintenance, testing, insurance requirements, and eventual tank replacement could represent significant expenses for independently operated businesses.¹⁷

The Getty station at 215 Lisbon Street remained associated with Lehigh Gas during its later years. Tax records from the Town of Lisbon identify fuel-related equipment at the property under Leemilts Petroleum, Inc., doing business in connection with Getty fuel operations. This relationship reflected the broader pattern of regional petroleum companies supplying fuel to locally operated stations throughout the Northeast.¹⁸

The station's survival into the 2010s demonstrates that smaller fuel retailers could continue operating despite industry challenges when they maintained a stable customer base and suitable location. For many community members, such businesses represented more than a place to purchase gasoline. They were familiar landmarks that contributed to the identity of local neighborhoods.

Nevertheless, by the early 2020s, the economic conditions affecting small gasoline stations had become increasingly difficult. The rise of larger convenience retailers, changing vehicle technology, improved fuel efficiency, and shifting consumer habits reduced demand for many traditional service stations. In addition, older stations faced the challenge of expensive environmental requirements as underground storage systems approached the end of their useful life.

The final years of the Getty station coincided with a period of broader transformation within Lisbon Village. Like many communities throughout Maine, Lisbon sought ways to address aging commercial properties while encouraging new investment. Vacant or deteriorating structures could negatively affect perceptions of a downtown area, while successful redevelopment projects could strengthen local economic activity.¹⁹

The closing of the Getty station marked the end of a significant chapter in the property's history. Maine Department of Environmental Protection records show that the gasoline storage tanks at the facility were officially removed from active service on March 30, 2022.²⁰ The closure ended approximately thirty-three years of documented operation following the 1989 modernization of the site.

The shutdown of the Getty station was not an isolated event. Across Maine, numerous small fuel stations closed during the same period as the economics of gasoline retail changed. Some properties remained vacant for years, while others required substantial environmental review and redevelopment before they could support new uses. The future of 215 Lisbon Street would depend on whether a new owner could recognize the potential value of the existing structure.

In this respect, the property's later transformation demonstrates an important aspect of modern community development: older commercial buildings do not necessarily need to disappear when their original purpose ends. Instead, they can be adapted to serve new economic needs. The former Getty station would soon move from being a closed gasoline retailer to becoming an example of commercial reuse in Lisbon Village.

Closure, Vacancy, and Community Revitalization (2022–2024)

The closure of the Getty station in 2022 created a transition period for 215 Lisbon Street. For more than three decades, the property had been identified with gasoline sales and the Getty brand. Once fuel operations ended, the building entered a period of uncertainty similar to many former service stations throughout Maine and the United States. Older gasoline properties often present unique redevelopment challenges because they contain specialized infrastructure, including underground storage systems, fuel dispensers, and environmental considerations that must be addressed before new commercial uses can begin.²¹

The removal of a gasoline station from active use does not immediately erase its presence from a community. Former service stations often remain highly visible because they are typically located along major roads and commercial corridors. When such properties become vacant, they can affect perceptions of neighborhood vitality and economic activity. Lisbon, like many municipalities, has recognized that revitalizing older commercial properties is an important part of maintaining an active downtown environment.²²

Following the closure of the Getty station, the property remained unused while the transition to a new purpose took place. During this period, the former station represented a common challenge faced by small communities: how to convert an aging commercial structure designed for one industry into a useful space for another. Rather than allowing the property to deteriorate permanently or removing the building entirely, redevelopment offered an opportunity to preserve an existing commercial location.

The reuse of former gasoline stations has become increasingly common throughout the United States. As transportation patterns change and communities seek to reduce vacant properties, many former fuel sites have been converted into offices, retail businesses, professional services, and other commercial uses. Successful redevelopment often depends on private investment combined with local support for improving the appearance and usefulness of older properties.²³

In Lisbon, the former Getty station found a new purpose through the efforts of Danto Drywall. The company invested in the property and transformed the former gasoline facility into a functioning business location. This restoration represented a significant change in the identity of the site: a building once associated with automobiles and petroleum products became a workplace supporting a different sector of the local economy.

The importance of the project extended beyond the individual business occupying the building. The restoration of a previously vacant commercial property contributed to the appearance and economic activity of Lisbon Village. Municipal officials later highlighted the improvement as an example of how private businesses could help address neglected properties and strengthen the community's commercial areas.²⁴

The redevelopment also illustrates the concept of adaptive reuse, in which existing buildings are modified to serve new purposes rather than being abandoned or demolished. Adaptive reuse has become an important strategy in downtown revitalization because it preserves existing structures, reduces waste, and allows communities to maintain continuity between past and present uses.²⁵ In the case of 215 Lisbon Street, the physical structure that once supported a gasoline business was given a new economic role.

The transformation from Getty station to Danto Drywall also reflects a broader change in how communities view former industrial and commercial properties. In previous decades, the closure of a business often meant the loss of a property’s value. Today, many municipalities and private investors recognize that older buildings can become assets when they are renovated and matched with appropriate new uses.

By 2024, the Town of Lisbon formally recognized the restoration of the former Getty station property. The town’s annual report noted that “Danto Drywall has restored the property and it is no longer a blight on our community.”²⁶ This statement demonstrates the significance local officials placed on the project. The restoration was not simply a private construction project; it was viewed as part of a larger effort to improve the appearance and economic health of Lisbon Village.

The story of 215 Lisbon Street between 2022 and 2024 therefore represents a successful transition from decline to renewal. The property moved from being a closed gasoline station facing an uncertain future to an active commercial site once again. This transformation shows how local businesses can play an important role in preserving community infrastructure and adapting older properties to modern economic conditions.

The restoration of the former Getty station also provides a contrast with the property's earlier history. The original purpose of the building was tied to the transportation needs of the late twentieth century, when gasoline stations were essential components of local commerce. Its new purpose reflects the economy of the twenty-first century, where specialized service businesses and adaptive reuse projects contribute to community development.

Conclusion: A Local Example of Economic Change and Renewal

The history of 215 Lisbon Street in Lisbon, Maine, from 1989 to the present demonstrates the ability of local commercial properties to evolve in response to changing economic conditions. What began as a modernized Getty gasoline station during a period of significant change in the petroleum industry eventually became a restored commercial property serving a new purpose in the community. The site's transformation reflects larger trends affecting small towns throughout Maine, including environmental regulation, industry consolidation, changing consumer habits, and the importance of adaptive reuse.

The installation of new underground storage tanks in 1989 represented an effort to modernize the property and continue its operation as a gasoline retailer. For more than three decades, the Getty station served Lisbon residents and travelers while functioning as part of the commercial landscape of Lisbon Village. Its connection to Getty and Lehigh Gas reflected the common relationship between locally operated stations and regional petroleum suppliers that characterized much of the late twentieth-century gasoline industry.²⁷

The station's closure in 2022 marked the end of an era. The retirement of the underground fuel tanks and the cessation of gasoline sales reflected both the challenges facing older petroleum facilities and the broader transformation of retail fuel markets. Many small gasoline stations throughout Maine and the nation faced similar pressures as larger retailers expanded, environmental requirements increased, and consumer behavior changed.²⁸

However, the closing of the Getty station did not represent the end of the property's usefulness. Instead, the site entered a new phase through investment and restoration. Danto Drywall's rehabilitation of the former station demonstrated how an aging commercial property could be adapted for a new economic purpose. The project preserved an existing building, returned the site to productive use, and contributed to the revitalization of Lisbon Village.²⁹

The significance of this transformation extends beyond the boundaries of one property. Small communities depend on active commercial spaces to maintain economic vitality and community identity. Vacant buildings can become symbols of decline, while restored properties can demonstrate confidence in a community's future. The restoration of 215 Lisbon Street illustrates how local entrepreneurs and municipal leaders can work, directly and indirectly, toward the same goal of maintaining a vibrant commercial center.

The story of this property also highlights an important lesson in local history: buildings often outlast the purposes for which they were originally constructed. A gasoline station built for the transportation needs of the late twentieth century became, decades later, a workplace supporting a different industry. The structure's continued usefulness depended not on preserving its original function, but on recognizing its potential for adaptation.

From Getty to Danto Drywall, 215 Lisbon Street represents the changing face of small-town Maine commerce. The property reflects the decline of one economic model and the emergence of another, demonstrating that community landmarks can experience renewal rather than abandonment. Its history is a reminder that revitalization often occurs not through dramatic redevelopment projects, but through individual businesses investing in existing places and giving them new life.

The transformation of the former Getty station is therefore a local example of resilience and adaptation. Between 1989 and the present, the property moved through several stages: modernization, long-term operation, closure, vacancy, and renewal. Each stage reflects broader changes occurring throughout Maine and across rural America. The continuing use of 215 Lisbon Street demonstrates that even modest commercial properties can hold an important place in the economic and social history of their communities.

Footnotes

1. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Annual Report (Lisbon, ME: Town of Lisbon, 2024), discussion of downtown revitalization and the former Getty station.

2. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Rules for Underground Oil Storage Facilities (Augusta: Maine DEP); see also Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Underground Oil Storage Tank Program.

3. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Underground Oil Storage Tank Installation Dates and Materials Report, Facility LEHIGH GAS ME0003, 215 Lisbon Street, Lisbon, Maine.

4. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Personal Property Tax Commitment Books, various years, listing Leemilts Petroleum, Inc. and Getty fuel equipment at 215 Lisbon Street.

5. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Active and Out-of-Service Underground Oil Storage Tank Facilities Report; see also regional trends in Maine retail fuel distribution.

6. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Active and Out-of-Service Underground Oil Storage Tank Facilities Report, Facility LEHIGH GAS ME0003, indicating tanks placed out of service on March 30, 2022.

7. Town of Lisbon, Annual Report (2024), noting that "Danto Drywall has restored the property and it is no longer a blight on our community."

8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Underground Storage Tanks: Requirements and Regulations (Washington, DC: Environmental Protection Agency), describing federal requirements established under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act amendments of 1984.

9. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Underground Oil Storage Tank Installation Dates and Materials Report, Facility LEHIGH GAS ME0003, 215 Lisbon Street, Lisbon, Maine.

10. Getty Oil Company historical information; see also U.S. petroleum industry histories describing Getty's expansion and later licensing arrangements.

11. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Personal Property Tax Commitment Books, various years, listing Leemilts Petroleum, Inc. c/o Getty in connection with fuel equipment at 215 Lisbon Street.

12. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Planning Documents, discussing commercial changes and economic development issues affecting Lisbon Village.

13. U.S. Energy Information Administration, The Changing Structure of the Retail Gasoline Market, discussing national trends toward larger retailers, convenience stores, and consolidation in gasoline sales.

14. U.S. Energy Information Administration, The Changing Structure of the Retail Gasoline Market (Washington, DC: EIA), discussing trends affecting independent gasoline retailers.

15. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Comprehensive Plan, discussion of Lisbon Village commercial corridors and transportation patterns.

16. Federal Trade Commission, Competition in the U.S. Petroleum Industry, describing consolidation and competitive pressures within gasoline retail markets.

17. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Underground Oil Storage Tank Program Requirements, describing monitoring and compliance obligations for petroleum facilities.

18. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Personal Property Tax Commitment Books, various years, listing Leemilts Petroleum, Inc. c/o Getty at 215 Lisbon Street.

19. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Annual Report (2024), discussing downtown improvement efforts and redevelopment of formerly underutilized properties.

20. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Active and Out-of-Service Underground Oil Storage Tank Facilities Report, Facility LEHIGH GAS ME0003, 215 Lisbon Street, Lisbon, Maine.

21. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Underground Oil Storage Tank Program, discussing closure requirements and environmental considerations for former petroleum facilities.

22. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Annual Report (2024), discussing downtown improvement efforts and the restoration of the former Getty station property.

23. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Smart Growth and Brownfields Redevelopment: Reusing Former Commercial and Industrial Properties (Washington, DC: Environmental Protection Agency), discussing reuse strategies for former commercial sites.

24. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Annual Report (2024), description of Danto Drywall restoration of the former Getty gas station.

25. National Park Service, Technical Preservation Services: Adaptive Reuse, discussing preservation and reuse of existing buildings.

26. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Annual Report (2024), statement regarding Danto Drywall restoring the former Getty property and eliminating a blighted condition.

27. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Personal Property Tax Commitment Books, various years, listing Leemilts Petroleum, Inc. c/o Getty fuel equipment at 215 Lisbon Street.

28. U.S. Energy Information Administration, The Changing Structure of the Retail Gasoline Market (Washington, DC: U.S. Energy Information Administration); Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Active and Out-of-Service Underground Oil Storage Tank Facilities Report.

29. Town of Lisbon, Maine, Annual Report (2024), discussion of Danto Drywall restoring the former Getty station property.

Bibliography

Government Publications and Municipal Records

Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Active and Out-of-Service Underground Oil Storage Tank Facilities Report. Augusta: Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed August 2026.

Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Underground Oil Storage Tank Installation Dates and Materials Report. Augusta: Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed August 2026.

Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Underground Oil Storage Tank Program Requirements. Augusta: Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Town of Lisbon, Maine. Annual Report. Lisbon, Maine: Town of Lisbon, 2024.

Town of Lisbon, Maine. Personal Property Tax Commitment Books. Lisbon, Maine: Town of Lisbon, various years.

Town of Lisbon, Maine. Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Planning Documents. Lisbon, Maine: Town of Lisbon.

Federal and Industry Sources

Federal Trade Commission. Competition in the U.S. Petroleum Industry. Washington, DC: Federal Trade Commission.

National Park Service. Technical Preservation Services: Adaptive Reuse. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior.

U.S. Energy Information Administration. The Changing Structure of the Retail Gasoline Market. Washington, DC: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Smart Growth and Brownfields Redevelopment: Reusing Former Commercial and Industrial Properties. Washington, DC: Environmental Protection Agency.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Underground Storage Tanks: Requirements and Regulations. Washington, DC: Environmental Protection Agency.

Additional Historical Sources

Getty Oil Company historical materials. Petroleum industry records and company history resources.

Lisbon Historical Society. Local historical collections and community records. Lisbon, Maine.