By Muriel Bristol | November 1, 2018
The Portsmouth Herald of April 26, 1963 had an advertisement for Ray’s Sunoco & Sport Shop, which was situated on NH Route 16 [899 Central Avenue] in Dover, NH, “Next to DAN’S Super Market.” The advertisement also mentioned the Grand Opening May 1 of Ray’s Marina, Rte. 16, Milton Three Ponds, Milton, N.H.
Ray’s Sunoco Service Station appeared in an April 1956 advertisement of Leading Merchants that gave Top Value Stamps as a part of their transactions. A sufficient number of stamps might be redeemed for various consumer products.
Ray’s Sunoco put on a three-day boat show at the Dover Armory, March 31-April 2, 1961. It advertised boats at the service station in April 1962.
It can be inferred that Ray had originally a Sunoco service station, then a Sunoco service station and sports shop, in Dover, NH, which he then transferred or expanded to the site of the Milton railroad station in Milton, NH. (The railroad station ceased taking passengers as of June 1, 1958).
The following advertisement for an All Family Boat Show appeared in the Portsmouth Herald of May 5, 1963. Apparently, this represented an extended part of the previously advertised Grand Opening of May 1, 1963.
Top Value Stamps included Ray’s Sunoco, Central Avenue, Dover, N.H, among their Leading Merchants in an advertisement of June 10, 1964, but apparently not thereafter.
Ray’s Marina & RV remained active on White Mountain Highway in Milton, NH, for nearly fifty years, closing its doors in 2012.
References:
Portsmouth Herald. (1956, April 2). The Leading Merchants Listed Below Give Top Value Stamps. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald.
Portsmouth Herald. (1961, March 30). Ray’s Sunoco Boat Show at Dover Armory. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald.
Portsmouth Herald. (1963, April 26). Ray’s Sunoco & Sport Shop. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth Herald. (1963, May 5). All Family Boat Show at Ray’s Marina. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth Herald. (1964, June 10). 100 Extra Top Value Stamps. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald.
Milton Observer 