I thought the EXACT same thing about the United States Post Office that was 3 min from our house when I was 4 or 5 years old. It was so tiny, the USA was so big, but they put it right by us!
I would say that you, Paul Lukas, are the famous person to have come from Blue Point. Also, coming from a state where vehicle inspections aren't required, it's interesting to read in the comments some of the states that do.
My older brother, when he was about five, once yelled out to my mother, “is that where you got me?” My mother was confused and just kept driving. My brother asked once again, “well is that where you got Matthew?” (me/his little brother) My mother, exasperated, stopped at the next light, and turned around to the back where my older brother was strapped in to his seat. “Whatever do you mean??” My older brother, a new reader, replied, “that place back there had a sign that said BODY SHOP.”
(More than forty years later I still bring that story up and mercilessly impugn my older brother. My brother, for his part, still claims Dad traded in his old Datsun Z at the local garage and got me in return.)
I grew up in a suburb of Chicago where everyone knew everybody else - this was before credit cards when you could have a running credit at any store, including the gas station. You could roll up, fill up and then wave as you left. For a long time I assumed that gas was free, one of the perks in living in such a friendly town.
Interesting. Even California only checks emissions on cars over 8 years old and only does it every other year. They don't bother checking any of the safety features.
I have a suggestion for another arcane topic. How about the various laws on buying/consuming liquor by state. You've got states like PA, NC with "state stores" the only place you can buy (with "state prices" and restricted choices, others with "dry counties" where you might have to drive an inordinate distance to buy (I currently have to drive 20 miles for access!); states where you can buy beer and wine in grocery stores, but not liquor; cities or counties with liquor restrictions in restaurants (or maybe we should just list Utah in general), and not to mention the various "legal age to drink" that used to be in place, ranging from 18 in NY (we often left our college campus in PA to drive to NY to get served) to 21. In at least one state I know of they changed it to 20 yrs old the year I turned 21.
I missed a whole year of legal drinking because of that!
"To prove it, he drove a few miles to the next town and pulled in at another gas station that had the same sign."
I love this so much. Even though your bubble was burst, it was nice that your dad took the time and effort to show you an answer to what you were wondering.
Ha, I came here to say the same thing. What a sweet thing for your dad to do. It would be so easy to ignore a young Paul. And I'm sure, even with this extra effort, he had no idea this story would stick with you for the rest of your life.
Wonderful story! I love how these signs haven't really changed much and give the Empire State some of its unique flavor. (I'm one of the few who was disappointed when the "Empire Gold" plates were retired in 2020 ... I loved how they threw back to the 1973-86 plates!)
Surprised it’s just a plain rectangular sign for something official statewide. I grew up with keystone inspection station signs. https://images.app.goo.gl/37ThsEAw2FrjWWXU7
I inherently knew that other states must have a standard sign for this as well but I just didn't give it much consideration. In NC it's a diagonally split blue and red sign that says "R U DUE" — pretty ugly, but I find it charming to spot them anywhere in the state.
While that sign looks awfully vintage, it still has more character than the ubiquitous and nondescript inspection sign at most auto shops here in Virginia.
"While that sign looks awfully vintage..." I agree, it feels very retro, but New York State has been using that same sign design for many decades. Looks the same today as it did when I saw it at our local Citgo!
This piece reminds me of a time when I was 7 or so, and my family was on a trip with my stepdad driving. I remember being PETRIFIED ... nearly in tears, certain he was going to get arrested and thrown in jail for driving by -- over and over -- signs that CLEARLY said he shouldn't be doing that. I mean, right there in clear all caps: DO NOT PASS. But my stepdad didn't care. He passed every single one of those signs.
That opening paragraph reads like the opening of a novel. I also imagined it as the voice-over at the beginning of a movie.
I thought the EXACT same thing about the United States Post Office that was 3 min from our house when I was 4 or 5 years old. It was so tiny, the USA was so big, but they put it right by us!
I would say that you, Paul Lukas, are the famous person to have come from Blue Point. Also, coming from a state where vehicle inspections aren't required, it's interesting to read in the comments some of the states that do.
My older brother, when he was about five, once yelled out to my mother, “is that where you got me?” My mother was confused and just kept driving. My brother asked once again, “well is that where you got Matthew?” (me/his little brother) My mother, exasperated, stopped at the next light, and turned around to the back where my older brother was strapped in to his seat. “Whatever do you mean??” My older brother, a new reader, replied, “that place back there had a sign that said BODY SHOP.”
(More than forty years later I still bring that story up and mercilessly impugn my older brother. My brother, for his part, still claims Dad traded in his old Datsun Z at the local garage and got me in return.)
I grew up in a suburb of Chicago where everyone knew everybody else - this was before credit cards when you could have a running credit at any store, including the gas station. You could roll up, fill up and then wave as you left. For a long time I assumed that gas was free, one of the perks in living in such a friendly town.
New York requires annual inspection on vehicles? Is that for all vehicles, or just for older ones?
What do they inspect for?
All vehicles. The main thing they check is emissions, but also brakes, tires, lights, etc
Interesting. Even California only checks emissions on cars over 8 years old and only does it every other year. They don't bother checking any of the safety features.
I have a suggestion for another arcane topic. How about the various laws on buying/consuming liquor by state. You've got states like PA, NC with "state stores" the only place you can buy (with "state prices" and restricted choices, others with "dry counties" where you might have to drive an inordinate distance to buy (I currently have to drive 20 miles for access!); states where you can buy beer and wine in grocery stores, but not liquor; cities or counties with liquor restrictions in restaurants (or maybe we should just list Utah in general), and not to mention the various "legal age to drink" that used to be in place, ranging from 18 in NY (we often left our college campus in PA to drive to NY to get served) to 21. In at least one state I know of they changed it to 20 yrs old the year I turned 21.
I missed a whole year of legal drinking because of that!
Texas is dropping the vehicle inspection requirement effective Sept. 1st of this year. We have several inspection only businesses that will be gone.
"To prove it, he drove a few miles to the next town and pulled in at another gas station that had the same sign."
I love this so much. Even though your bubble was burst, it was nice that your dad took the time and effort to show you an answer to what you were wondering.
Ha, I came here to say the same thing. What a sweet thing for your dad to do. It would be so easy to ignore a young Paul. And I'm sure, even with this extra effort, he had no idea this story would stick with you for the rest of your life.
Wonderful story! I love how these signs haven't really changed much and give the Empire State some of its unique flavor. (I'm one of the few who was disappointed when the "Empire Gold" plates were retired in 2020 ... I loved how they threw back to the 1973-86 plates!)
Surprised it’s just a plain rectangular sign for something official statewide. I grew up with keystone inspection station signs. https://images.app.goo.gl/37ThsEAw2FrjWWXU7
Only one great Commonwealth can claim its own shape! 😉
I inherently knew that other states must have a standard sign for this as well but I just didn't give it much consideration. In NC it's a diagonally split blue and red sign that says "R U DUE" — pretty ugly, but I find it charming to spot them anywhere in the state.
Wonder if it was one of those garages that, for an extra 20 bucks, would pass your car even if the muffler was falling off.
While that sign looks awfully vintage, it still has more character than the ubiquitous and nondescript inspection sign at most auto shops here in Virginia.
"While that sign looks awfully vintage..." I agree, it feels very retro, but New York State has been using that same sign design for many decades. Looks the same today as it did when I saw it at our local Citgo!
This piece reminds me of a time when I was 7 or so, and my family was on a trip with my stepdad driving. I remember being PETRIFIED ... nearly in tears, certain he was going to get arrested and thrown in jail for driving by -- over and over -- signs that CLEARLY said he shouldn't be doing that. I mean, right there in clear all caps: DO NOT PASS. But my stepdad didn't care. He passed every single one of those signs.
“Congratulations! You did it! You have the world’s best coffee!”
—Buddy the Elf, as played by Will Ferrell, in Elf, in the Manhattan diner scene
Reminds me of that!
Ha! I was about to post the same!