History Old Gas Stations Today-Derelict or Period Restored.

Harper Oregon . Conoco Phillips

 

I took hundreds of old gas station photos/slides in California and Hawaii in the 1990s. I need to find them and get them digitized. The rural areas of both states had many surviving very old stations. I remember one steel tank being removed that was riveted steel construction. Got to hunt them down.

 

Millican Oregon outside of Bend. Was last open as an ARCO station.

 

Hello,

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 surfing road trips we took when we were teenagers. With all of our old cars we took to get to the Camp Pendleton surf spots just a few miles down the road from this gas station, we had to make a decision as to stopping for gas or not. 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 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.


Jnaki

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. YRMV

 

A gas station and store once run by Charlie and Bessie Causby Henry on West Pine Chapel Road just around the corner from Pine Chapel Church in northern Gordon County, Georgia.

 

Mackay, Idaho "husky service"

 

Weir on 66 Restaurant on Historic Rte 66 in Cuba, MO
The building and property began as a Phillips 66 in 1932, later operated as a Standard Oil, Pontiac Dealership and Mobil station. In 2001, restoration efforts were put in place to return the property to how it looked in the 1930s. The Four Way Restaurant opened in 2016, later rebranded as Weir on 66

 

The Outpost and Summit Inn.
Route 66 The Mother Road.

 

Well that is from the start to the end! Thanks Dave. JW

 

Used to stop there on the way to Vegas and Laughlin .Definitely miss it.

 

Hard to believe this was 1988. Times have changed. $10 fill ups

 

Old Route 66, Afton, Oklahoma. This was a Kerr McGee service station. 1980

 

Argentine Kansas

 

West 39th street KCMO once a Mobile cottage style station, then Underwoods service station now a long running convenience store.

 

Eastern Plains of Colorado from road trip this week with sons and grandsons.....

 

Mac's 66 station. Roeland Park Kansas Metcalf road. Just down the street was a very iconic roadside motel the white haven, torn down in the past few years.

 

Old Store in Kentucky

 

Kansas City Kansas former ConocoPhillips service station.

 

Unknown brand of service station now a "best choice auto lot" in Kansas city Kansas

 

How’s this one in Ky .?

 

Gas OHOL

 

Abandoned Gas Station in Chambers Arizona on Route 66

 

Shell Station 1971

 

Equivalent to approx $3.01 today.

Ben

 

In 1970 Shell station I worked at part time price was 40.9, worked about 2 hours to get about 11 gallons of fuel for the new Chevelle, $3.55 a gallon today at my local station…..

 

My 1st job , pumping gas . Many gallons 23.9 Reg. 29.9 Pre. . I was driving 428 SCJ , 67 Fairlane . It shot up to 69.9 Pre .. The Fairlane changed ownership and I started as a line mechanic . Driving 289 Fairlane .

 

Ghost Town in Cogar - Oklahoma
There are a large number of ghost towns in Oklahoma.

 

Phillips Cottage style station West Plaza neighborhood Kansas City Missouri now a "high hat" coffee shop.