World's Largest Private Collection of Antique Neon Gas, Oil, and Automotive Signs in North Carolina

Thornton Beroth, grew up in the Gas and Oil Business and it must have gotten into his blood. He calls his collecting a disease but doesn’t want to take any medicine for it. Thornton and his wife Pam have traveled the world to find the rarest of original neon gas, oil & automotive signs that they call The Pilot Collection. Located in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina in a 1900's two story bank building may just be the largest private collection of original neon gas, oil & automotive signs in American? Come along with Jodi and myself as we tour this amazing collection.
The World's Largest Private Collection of Antique Neon Gas, Oil, and Automotive Signs Resides in North Carolina
1:29: A man in Pilot Mountain has the world's largest private collection of petroleum memorabilia.
1:29: The collection is housed in a bank building that was bought in 1995.
1:48: The collection includes multi-million dollar neon signs.
6:42: 🚗 The speaker discusses their family's involvement in the petroleum business and their chain of convenience stores.
6:42: The speaker's father worked for the American Oil Company in Baltimore in 1935.
6:57: The speaker and their brothers started a chain of 31 convenience stores.
7:18: The speaker found a Fisk tire company lamp between here and Winston Salem.
12:06: 🔍 The video discusses the use of Polarine and Charles Chips cans for decoration.
12:06: Polarine and Charles Chips cans were used for decoration.
12:23: Standard Oil family used the term Polarine.
12:56: Charles Chips was a distributor based in Pennsylvania.
18:03: 🚗 The video features a man discussing his collection of petroleum-related items and his travels to acquire them.
18:03: The man collects items related to petroleum and has a slogan that says he collects anything with the word 'oil' on it.
18:23: He travels to different places to buy these items and uses a Suburban with a trailer to haul them.
18:43: One of the items he found is an old heater made of Micah in West Virginia.
23:32: 🤔 The speaker discusses the process of filling up a drum with five gallons of oil using cans and buckets.
23:32: The oil was collected using cans and buckets before the invention of oil pumps on trucks.
23:57: The drum used to collect the oil is made of Bryce material, which doesn't create sparks.
24:24: There is a unique hand-operated pump called the vinegar pump or malayi in the room.
29:47: 🌭 The video shows a hot dog machine that cooks hot dogs on a rotating rack and drops them down for easy access.
29:47: The hot dog machine is an unusual item found at a trade show in Frederick, Maryland.
30:26: There is also a display case with globes that go on gas pumps.
30:40: The glass on the display case varies, with one being a three-piece glass and another being a ripple body.
35:56: 📸 The video showcases a collection of memorabilia and personal stories shared by the narrator.
35:56: The narrator mentions providing memorabilia for a show car in Tennessee.
36:08: The narrator shares stories about his family members and their connection to the building.
36:30: The narrator expresses admiration for the collection of items in the building.
41:07: ! The speaker discusses a video they filmed and mentions a sign that they want to investigate further.
41:07: The speaker filmed a video and mentions a sign they want to investigate.
41:30: They discuss the sign and speculate that it may be related to a car company starting with the letter D.
41:58: The speaker mentions finding the sign locally, about 30 minutes away from their current location.
48:14: 💰 The video discusses valuable signs found in an antique store, including a Texaco sign estimated to be worth a quarter of a million dollars.
48:14: The antique store owner had to separate a large shelf to bring it upstairs.
48:28: The video also mentions a shark's teeth and an Oldsmobile sign.
49:09: The Texaco sign is estimated to be worth a quarter of a million dollars.
54:22: ! The video shows a woman showcasing a basket used to store debaca in a warehouse, which she has decorated with memorabilia.
54:22: The basket is a traditional ac basket that is often hung up in stores.
54:47: There used to be apartments in the building.
55:00: The building belongs to Mr. IMGI IM Gordon.
1:01:02: 🚚 The video shows a restored 1935 Mol Montana gas truck.
1:01:02: The owner uses the truck for parades and shows.
1:01:12: The truck was restored to its original 1935 appearance.
1:01:48: The owner also collects and trades various items related to gas trucks.
Recap for / undefined by Tammy AI
#oil #automobile #automotive #neon #signs #vintage #gasstation #gaspump #theappalachianchannel #northcarolina #collection

[@rickarra1833]

I could sit with him for years listening to stories about him, his family, and life. I love talking to people leaning so many things I was never exposed too

[@rickbusch7911]

You and me both. I almost always run into an old timer with the knowledge and stories every time I go to garage sales or auctions. My wife just gives me a look, knowing I'm gonna be quite awhile. I love the stuff these guys know, some of the tricks and tips they know, and how they used to get themselves into mischief. Back then the cops would tell ya to take into another jurisdiction, or join right in with you. It was all honest clean fun. Now it's smashing and grabbing, idiots fighting over stupid shit or shooting at each other. I miss the 70s.

[@1949LA-ARCH]

Awesome collection😊Desoto automotive company is the sign with the green inner neon light. 1961 was the Desoto last year for car production. Part of the Chrysler corporation 😊

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks for the info!

[@tomrut3653]

I guess you are young if you didn’t know “The Lone Ranger” and I guess I’m old. Enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

[@theappalachianchannel]

it was before my time but ad heard of it but didn't know who the actor was. Thanks for watching the video! John & Jodi

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Eleven different actors have played the Lone Ranger. There was also the Native American character known as Tonto played by Jay Silverheels (an actual Native American). Let's not forget Yosemite Sam!

[@suzukibn1131]

Ha! Me, too.

[@jonathanbuford1793]

I’ll be 55 2024 and was suprised about not knowing the Lone Ranger I didn’t know the actors name but I knew right away it was

[@ronmack1767]

Throughly enjoy seeing Mr. Beroth's amazing and unique collection again. He is a very nice man and knows his collection history. Thank you John and Jodie for videoing it. Take care and God bless.

[@markmallia179]

Phone number

[@kathimeadows7869]

The greatest collection. So glad you were able to tour it and record!

[@theappalachianchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@randyabernathy1958]

Best one yet,God bless

[@theappalachianchannel]

thanks glad you liked it

[@silverlaptop2022]

STOP dreamin' rite now! The only true time travel is the wisdom and experience of our elders, God bless em🙏🌹🙏

[@jimmymalone3494]

I really enjoyed all of the signs and gas & oil signs.Thank for sharing and God Bless y'all.

[@Eduardo-uo7qs]

Congratulations Mr.Thornton and família! Great, awesome, wonderful collection. I love Petroliana too! John thanks for sharing us the vídeo. From Rio Brazil.

[@jamzdotnet]

Magnificent collection he has!

[@kaymoore7034]

I enjoyed this memory trip so much. It made me feel young again that most of it is older than I am.

[@kennethmoles4643]

Thornton Beroth is a class act! The entire family is simply wonderful folks.

[@joycejones4526]

How awesome was this video. You and Jody take us to the most interesting places and we meet the most beautiful people. Thank you for all the work you do. Safe travel and happy days.

[@theappalachianchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@madisonfireman5006]

Enjoy watching your videos and I must say this is the best one I’ve seen yet. Thornton has a collection like no other.

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks for watching! Thornton, his wife and son were very nice people to work with on this video!1 John & Jodi

[@brianforrest3377]

This a such a awesome video my friend

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks for the visit

[@Romulus8]

ONE OF MY FAVORITE VIDEOS EVER ANYWHERE !

[@shaneprice9901]

What a collection. WOW

[@deanbarr5740]

Very interesting John and Jodi ❤

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks for watching! Thornton, his wife and son were very nice people to work with on this video!1 John & Jodi

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

John I am so glad you got up with Mr. Beroth and do a tour with him. I'm not surprised you ran into him at Priddy's as everybody shows up there sooner or later. I met Mr. Beroth several years ago at the thresher's reunion in Denton, N.C. He was there with his Amoco oil truck seen here. He loves people and loves talking with people.

[@theappalachianchannel]

Mr, Beroth is a very nice person for sure!

[@davidcrawford219]

Wow! THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@ang_ros]

I was amazed with everything downstairs, but as soon as y’all went upstairs, I was mind blown!

[@harrymasson1250]

LOVE it All

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thaks for watching the video our friend!

[@whiteboi1856]

Very cool👍

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks for watching! Thornton, his wife and son were very nice people to work with on this video!1 John & Jodi

[@Mr.XJ.96]

What's incredible to me is I seen a Penn Drake Oil Box high on a shelf With Penreco on it. Penn Drake oil was manufactured here in My hometown of Petrolia Pa by Penreco.

[@kathyrnsorensen3571]

Phoenix AZ....love Andy Griffith , collection is wonderful

[@patriotr.behnke3086]

Thornton your an American treasure yourself!! Thanks for the look, and the history 💯 I wanted it, so I bought it, there it is 😉👍🏻🇺🇸

[@castoresnegros]

This old nice guy is a living history treasure

[@catherine59226]

Wow! ❤️👍🏻

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thornton has found the best of the best for sure ! Thanks for watching and the comment.. John & Jodi

[@johnt6673]

He could sell everything for millions. He has one hell of a collection. Just amazing.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

@@LINJ638 That should also make for one nice tax right off!

[@ciscoponch67]

My gosh, you had me at Charles Chips!!!! WOW!!!! 😊 ❤ 🎉

[@robertwright4029]

Hey there, just wanted to let ya know, that wasn't an AMC neon sign representative. That was a Desoto Plymouth Dealer sign. Great channel great content!!

[@demadre]

WOW! What a collection. I must be old, I knew that was a Desoto sign.

[@FischerRestoration]

Now you're talking! One of my old passions collecting signs. Beautiful gold mine collection.. thanks for sharing!

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks for watching! its a gold mine for sure.

[@marvinhare]

WOW. ALESOME

[@mikemontgomery7337]

Amazing collection !!!

[@davidm4160]

No wonder why a regular guy like me can't find this stuff, this guy has it all.

[@rogertemple7193]

Another great museum of yesterday for you to see and learn about the past in Pilot Mountain North Carolina and this is a really nice place to see a lot great things from the past Thank You very much and until your next video take care and Thank You.🤠:: 🇺🇲🇺🇲📹📱🇺🇲📱📹🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@theappalachianchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidcrawford219]

Union 76 stuff my favorite.

[@wildfire365]

This is the biggest and best ive seen.

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks for watching! Thornton, his wife and son were very nice people to work with on this video! John & Jodi

[@frankparks4900]

ANOTHER GREAT ONE! You knocked it out of the park John!

[@CurtSchmidt-t1r]

Absolutely amazing collection. I worked I the sign industry and live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati is the home of the National Sign Museum. He has some VERY unique signs.

[@robertclubs9908]

Love the show Thanks.

[@theappalachianchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@saragarmon1227]

Thank you for sharing these awesome videos I really enjoy watching every one you posted have a bless Sunday

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thank you! You too!

[@catfishinpappy1591]

AMAZING !!! 🙂👍

[@theappalachianchannel]

Great place to eat and thanks for the comment, John & Jodi

[@johnmburton55]

Thank you for all the blessings,my ancestors were Looney,Holston,Tipton,Jobr,Tate and Copus from east ,Tn

[@tammyvaughn6662]

Thanks for another interesting video John!

[@creditguy4922]

Wow. The Pickers mike and frank would freak out at his collection.

[@keithaldridge8780]

Wow 😊❤❤

[@tonyhamilton9764]

This man's overflow could be a museum in itself. What a fantastic collection.

[@AnHonestLiar]

Great video! That man is a national treasure!!

[@theappalachianchannel]

Sure is!

[@robertpirtle3638]

Wow what a collection. Great video. I bet the man is a hoot

[@BadlandsBandit]

What a collection! What a cool place! What a great dude! Thanks the video!

[@tommarple1449]

Great guy and collection. Thank You

[@nathanisenhour4420]

Look at that Pegasus sign..! Sweet!..

[@bikabill5182]

Great video, great place and wonderful people. Thanks for this video. I gotta tell ya I went to Australia some years ago and came back with a couple of Western Australia motorcycle license plates. Got 'em on the garage wall.

[@Steven-e7c]

An absolute amazing collection. I loved every minute of watching it. Thanks for sharing it.

[@suzukibn1131]

WOW!!! What a collection!! Does Art stay close in case something happens with Thornton? Super great video. Pam is a beauty.

[@Nicolepumphrey]

Is it open to the public? My husband would love to go in there. Its so cool to see things like this.

[@juscelinosantos1052]

Nice

[@nancyweems5270]

WOW

[@Aprilwyatt0005]

Omg 😮that is so cool!!!! I love it!!

[@theappalachianchannel]

Hello April. We will be back at the Brooks Store on the 21st. You and Sadie come out and visit with us!

[@Aprilwyatt0005]

@@theappalachianchannel absolutely!! Sadie just said the other day she wanted to see you guys. Lol

[@lesterstrimel4703]

Absolutely amazing 👏

[@mellowmind12]

sitting here watching trying to figure out how he so familiar then he showed the hotdog machine from Frederick and there you go ! - I met him there - awsome day

[@theappalachianchannel]

he travels to a lot of shows i'm sure.

[@philliphoward7455]

A beautiful collection. Thank you for the video. The old gas pumps appeal to me. I don't own any but I have a great deal of admiration for them . Think about this: They might need a bit of physical effort to operate, but they needed no electricity to operate. They could operate " Off the Grid ", and thusly were, in a sense, a better pump than today.

[@leeannebailey78]

Awesome! My Daddy served in the Army the same years! He was stationed in Newfoundland. ❤

[@jeffwoods9666]

Glad he let you do that . I could talk to him all day . I got a friend he probably has him beat but not on the oil cans . His oil cans are unbelievable. I never seen so many rare cans like NOS . Big wow on the cans

[@jeananderson815]

no words, just WOWWWWWWWWWWWWW

[@nathanisenhour4420]

Appreciate the tour sir..Nice neons..

[@sonjajohn1166]

I just noticed the tag still attached to his Veterans cap. lol. Love it.

[@emeraldgypsyheart]

This was an awesome video! I have an old 1960’s or 1970’s gulf gas glass that was in my mom’s atuff. Plus a few old stickers from some gas companies.

[@theappalachianchannel]

Very cool!

[@gene8091]

Another great viedo u guys do a great job

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks so much

[@willswords7373]

Why haven’t I heard of this channel before??! New subscriber. Love this stuff man!!!

[@ronaldhall2489]

Great video sir. Loved the Cushman

[@Jacob_6420]

Crazy he mentions Riner Virginia, not far from where i live and i pass through weekly for work

[@onaciam]

Totally awesome thanks❤

[@pami7597]

We have a place you might want to see. Maysville Kentucky. Checkout the disti)are and the miniature collection. It will blow you away. Totally unexpected! Jaw dropping!!!

[@theappalachianchannel]

What is the miniatures of?

[@Oldcarnut63]

The sign when the man asked who does that sign represent the company is DeSoto

[@terrysumter6440]

Thought you would no the lone ranger... Im like that man listen to it on the old RCA Victor radio.. also gunsmoke and several more

[@67stingray1]

I'm impressed. Thanks for sharing. Job well done.

[@davypeugeot]

Wow , absolutely awesome collection. Laid out like the best museum I've seen. I'm a fan of cars etc myself this is heaven to me. Great video guys thank you. Maybe I'll get there on my way down to SC next year ,God willing.

[@darrenbeavers8099]

7200 Sq ft. Wow amazing. Hope he has fire insurance with all the old neon ballasts draw some juice. Cool video

[@theappalachianchannel]

Thanks for watching and making a comment! John & Jodi

[@marshabanks2297]

Hes nobodys fool im sure he is insured❤

[@shawnmeyer2788]

That’s a Desoto emblem. (Advertising sign) Spanish conquistador Herhando Desoto

[@jerrypearce5920]

I just love old timers like that full stories 👍✌️ amazing collection 👍👍👍 that little store is some money !!! Very cool !!! Where is the store at?

[@SPICY_BEAR]

That place is stone cold COOL!!! 😮🤩

[@monmixer]

Nothing from the show was filmed there. Pilot Mountain was the inspiration for the fictional town of Mount Pilot in “The Andy Griffith Show,” a nearby larger town near Mayberry. Nearby the actual town is Pilot Mount State Park which is known for its Big Pinnacle peak seen for several miles. If they want to see more then it's road trip time!!! Nothing b eats in person sight seeing.

[@samsacre]

@ Appalachian channel "he sure got a good gift of gab!

[@stevetaylor4105]

Chuck Taylor was a American basketball player

[@darrylniehoff2707]

I'm from hickory and my friends worked at that gas station where that mustang sign was . Would luv to have it !

[@jenkins2162]

I bet his children do not like the idea that he's going to donate his things. It may end up in a failed museum and get sold. I have a lot of old things. I collected them, knowing I could get more if I sold them the day after I bought them, but I never would. That always helped me justify buying them. I have told my son those where my dreams and what I wanted as a poor kid but couldn't buy. He can do whatever he wants with them. Chase your dreams. With the exception of the land. Never get rid of it.

[@YTusercomment]

"You need to get out of Tennessee more often, if you want to learn something." - LOL

[@johnboutet7560]

He was on "American Pickers" and sold them some stuff.

[@righteatsrightpolitics1323]

Episode is called "Duke of Oil"

[@philliphoward7455]

DeSoto was the helmeted man.

[@YTusercomment]

Online, it says "Permanently Closed"...were you able to film it with special access, but otherwise no longer open?

[@TEXASLOYAL]

This is an American pickers dream

[@theappalachianchannel]

American Picker came there i think in 2012

[@katrinaramirez4603]

No 'Sinclair ' memorabilia? My dad ran a Sinclair station in Louisville, Ky. Probably in the 60's . We would drive up get service and greenback stamps!

[@betharmitage874]

Desoto car company for that sign.

[@kathywolf4558]

When there were phone booths around here and there many years ago, some businesses were employing people to answer phones just for the caller to be put on hold. Sometimes, being on hold was "terminal". There was a phone booth in Raton Pass where they put a fake skeleton in the old phone booth...indicating "terminal hold". Sorta miss the phone booths....with the skeletons in them. At least you could talk to a actual human instead of listening to a machine...

[@JenniferNelms-hv9lm]

I would love to bring my 76 year old dad to see this. Is it open to the public?

[@miltmarhoffer729]

Reedsburg is in wisconsin

[@jamesbaker9383]

Desoto !