Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
IOWA OIL COMPANY (IOCO)
IOWA OIL COMPANY (IOCO). In 1930, Iowa Oil Company was the oldest and largest independent oil company in Iowa. (1) The Iowa Oil Company began as a strictly independent Dubuque enterprise because its entire capital stock was held in 1905 by twenty-five of Dubuque's most prominent businessmen.
In 1905, a group of local boating enthusiasts were determined to obtain an ample supply of good gasoline for their own use. They found that Cities Service products met their requirements. After securing what they needed for themselves, they began to get calls for supplies from others outside of their circle of sportsmen, and the Iowa Oil Co. was organized. They began shipping products out of town from their bulk plant at Dubuque. Later bulk plants were opened at Galena, Illinois, Dyersville and Manchester, Ia., and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Eventually the company had 18 bulk plants--ten in Iowa, two in Illinois, and six in Wisconsin. (2)
During their 99 years in business, the Iowa Oil Company marketing products with the following brands: (3)
Iowa Motor Oil Iowa Axle Grease Iowa Hi-Grade Gasoline Iowa Hi-Grade Motor Oil Iowa Gas IOCO
The 1911-12 Dubuque City Directory listed near Railroad Avenue.
The 1923 Dubuque City Directory listed Levee at the foot of 1st.
The 1929 Dubuque City Directory listed the corner of Water and 1st.
In 1934 stations were maintained at 4th and Locust, 20th and Jackson, Delhi and Asbury, 14th and White, and 27th and Jackson. The 1948 Dubuque Classified Business Directory listed 1397 White.
The 1937 Dubuque City Directory listed 302 E. 20th.
The 1939 through 1962 Dubuque City Directory listed E. 1st and Levee.
The 1964 through 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed Levee Front and 1481 Dodge.
The 1989 Dubuque City Directory listed Levee Front.
The 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed 100 E. 1st St.
The staple products of the company included burning oils, lubricating oils, gasolines and greases, and a special line of non-carbonizing motor oils, transmission oils and greases for the automobile and motor boat trade. The company's leading brands included "Iowa Light Oil" and "Auto-Marine Gasoline" adapted for use in engines, lamps and stoves.
The original IOCO name and logo were created by Ron Enke. The three triangles in the original logo symbolized the tri-state area. The first convenience store was built in 1977 at 1481 Dodge. By 1988 there were six convenience stores and a truck plaza in Dubuque. The same year the company marketed through eighty location and employed 190 people in three states.
In 1987 IOCO convenience stores in Dubuque could be found at 3270 Dodge, 1481 Dodge, 1387 Dodge, 2335 University, 3200 Central, 1998 Jackson, and the Hwy.20 W. Truck Stop.
Company Timeline: (4)
October 19, 1905 - Articles of Incorporation are filed in Dubuque County
1915 - Begins distribution of Cities Service Products with their private label brands
July 1955 - Featured in Service magazine, the official company publication of the Cities Service Oil Company
October 1955 - Celebrates 50th anniversary
2003 - Files for Bankruptcy (5)
May 2004 - Assets of the company are auctioned at a public sale
---
Source:
1. "Iowa Oil Company is Leader in Field, Telegraph Herald, August 24, 1930, p. 4
2. Nathan's Petro.com. "Iowa Oil Company," Online: http://www.iowaoilcompany.com/index.html
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. "Chronology," Telegraph Herald, January 1, 2004, p. 34