History Old Gas Stations Today-Derelict or Period Restored.

I love this one. Be fun to re-build in a backyard someday.

 

if you ever drove Rte 66 back in the 60's, Stuckey's were as regular as Burma Shave signs.

 

Always love seeing a before and after shot posted together like this.

 

Before and After

 

THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

 

Ghost Town in Cogar - Oklahoma
There are a large number of ghost towns in Oklahoma that make for great places to explore and offer an eerie kind of beauty. There are a number of groups in the state that work to preserve the abandoned spots as well as uncovering new ones.

 

Austin,Tx

 

Agreed Billy. The art deco versions are certainly eye catchers. Who doesn't like glass blocks?

Speaking of back-yard rebuilt gas stations, there were at least a few of the post WWII gas stations that were a "kit" made from formed sheet metal panels that were simply bolted together on a foundation. These would be a cinch to set up and rebuild. The ENCO gas station in Newberg, Oregon was one of that design. It was disassembled in the 70's or 80's and was re-assembled in neighboring Dundee Oregon and now serves as a wine-tasting location for one of the many wineries in the area. The negative aspect of this design is that they were colder than _ _ _ _ if you were one of the unlucky few who worked or hung out there. Good memories none the less.

 

Greg
I read about some big bucks guy that somehow acquired a complete NOS gas station kit, I think the article said he had it set up inside his car collection/museum building.
By the way, how's things in WINE COUNTRY?

 

I have been by that wine tasting station recently but I did not know where it came from. Cool trivia.

 

Hey Doug! Doing well and hope the same for you. Dang, An NOS gas station would be something. I've seen a few that were set up as "the shop" behind a hot rodder's house. But I'd also have to have the pit and hydraulic lift that most stations had. Fun stuff!

 

Did I hear PIZZA?

 

Most certainly. Anytime Doug. Just let me/us know. We're pretty flexible as long as we're in town.

 

OK lets get back on track and on topic. JW

 

Hey that's down the street from me. I can picture the station you are talking about!

 

Like a lot of small towns, Newberg had several gas stations "downtown" on 1st St., the main drag. As the town grew and expanded, some of the stations in town moved outside of the city limits. Another of those stations like the Enco station was a Phillips 66 that looked very close in design to the "sheet metal Enco station".

 

A gas station on the road between Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, which is now used as a home. It is only one of many which are so converted...

 

Glenrio New Mexico

 

Newkirk new Mexico, the "new" service station is built next to it, buried deep in the pavement an old manual coats tire machine between a air jack and a post holding an air hose and water hose;full service.

 

Tucumcari New Mexico just a little guy but it appeared to have 4 gas pumps at one time, now selling water.

 

Spotted these two somewhere around the New Mexico Texas line of I40 hwy. The white and green building looked to be a modular constructed Lustron.

 

I had thought previously about posting a couple links for Lustron Houses. Hope these aren't considered to be too far off-topic.

https://savingplaces.org/stories/lustrons-building-an-american-dream-house

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lustron_houses

There's two of these within a mile or two of my house.

 

Abandoned Truck Stop, Winnemucca, Nevada

 

Man that sign must be worth a small fortune!

 

Baker CA

 

Tucumcari Route 66

 

this station is in Niles (Fremont Ca.) it has recently been restored as a Flying A station they have a small get together every 2nd sunday of the month

 

Here's the "DUARTE GARAGE" (now a museum) located on a section of the old (now Portola Avenue in Livermore, California):

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. . . and here it is in the 1920s:

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Then on the other side of Portola is this semi-restored "Flying A" gas station:

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Hello,

Back when we frequented this coastal city on our southerly surf trips from 1961 to the current times, it was a thriving gas station. We did have our choice of this one in the central area of town, two more, as we drove South on our way to Camp Pendleton surf spots and farther south to San Diego + Baja coastal towns. These gas stations in the southern end of Orange County were our final stops. For some reason, they were also some of the least expensive gas in any coastal cities. Also, no one wanted to get Pemex gas in Baja, back in those days unless it was an extreme emergency.

Great location, standing empty for a while, and business exposure for auto repair or sales as there are only two other automotive sales locations in this sleepy coastal city. Then it was a very long drought. The business closed and stood empty for quite some time.

The 60 + years of service to the community now lies empty and ready for a new business, with direct access to the busiest Coastal Highway that runs right in front.

A local free parking spot for the busy restaurant next door.

Jnaki

A couple of years ago, this old gas station was still boarded up and just sitting. Our memories of this thriving gas station goes back to the 1960-65 surfing road trips we took when we were teenagers. It was an hour plus of driving up the coastline back to our Westside of Long Beach house. 60 miles would easily be safe with a full tank of gas.

We had two other choices to stop for gas, but usually, the first thought was when we saw the first gas station in this coastal city near Camp Pendleton. There were two other gas stations in the city street leading to the last parking for the surfing spot. But, this one was closer to food/drink resources.

For an empty building with a large open lot surrounding it, it became a “come as you are parking lot” and sometimes a “used car” lot by the neighbors.
Then for quite a number of years, the gas station stayed empty and deserted. It was still on busy PCH coastal route, so, there was hope for a revival yet.

Note:
But as the 2024 Olympics were announced and the excitement was growing, a local company tied to the skateboard industry stepped up to lease the gas station and refurbish it. First the lot was resurfaced, chained off and the rebuilding of the office and lift/workspace area was cleaned up. Some of the original gas station cabinets and old sinks were tossed out for the dumpster. Perhaps, they ended up in someone’s garage…

The interior was cleaned, approved by the inspectors and now stands empty, but at least it is nice looking again. It sparked memories each time we drove by on the way South to the beach. What does a skateboard company want with an old refurbished gas station? Refurbish it to set up a clothing, parts store displays? Instead of the few empty storefront places in town? We shall see as it is a “No Miss” location that almost everyone sees as one drives South.

As the Olympics was/were going to have a skateboard event, perhaps that was a low key opening event. As the weeks came and during the lead up days to the Olympics, small ramps were placed around the location and it looked as if it had a “course” in front of the refurbished glass office window area. That would have made it enclosed with a chain link fence, an area away from the traffic nearby and an easy to change modified street course similar to other events. Perhaps a large screen monitor to showcase the actual Olympic event? While folks were skating on the “mini” course? How fun…

At least, the old decrepit gas station with a skeleton location from the 1959-60 era was/is still around and now has been given a chance to shine in the light.

Then my wife and my longer road trips down the Coast Highway, we usually passed the empty station. It had been used as a neighborhood parking spot, an over flow for a popular restaurant nearby and usually stayed empty with no gas pumps for many years. The road through your windshield was a common, but difficult site each time we passed by the empty shell.

photo by Vnak

But, then, some repairs began to happen. Not being a busy body, no one approached the workers to ask what the refurbishing was going to end up. Newer brand name stations were nearby so, it couldn’t be another gas station. So, the intrigue continued.

By the time the Summer Olympics were a happening thing, this place came alive. Why? Since skateboarding was a new Olympic event, it has now been in two time periods. In 2028, it will be a third Olympics event and now most assuredly, will continue as a listed event.

Inside of the two large opening garage doors had the biggest change.

Note 2:

As the local rules and regulations for school age students, the type of places such as a video arcade shop cannot be functioning during school hours. This place is not open during the school hours to prevent activity during the required school day. But, on the weekends and evenings, it is open for business. Including the added ramps and showroom for the displays.

Old gas stations do have some purpose as the years continue to roll on into history.
A current photo of the once flashy old gas station/skateboard shop.

Recently, we drove by the old gas station and it looked like a tornado came and hit the building. The name was taken down, the ramps were gone and the lot looked as if it were pre Olympics of 2024.

So, what happened to the thriving gas station turned skateboard dealer?

Despite the 1000s of cars driving by daily, it is a tough business with all of the local surf shops (and there are plenty of them in the coastal towns/cities) supplying surf wear, surfboards and skateboards as if it were 1960… YRMV

 

1927 Edward's Mfg Co of Cincinnati Ohio Chinese Pagoda style filling station. moved onto this property back in 2017. The owner is acquired it from was ready to raze the building as it was falling in disrepair.

Station use to sit in Marysville Ohio, about 6 mi away from my location not before being moved twice after going out of business in 1948.