Standard Oil Gasoline Station, Historic gas station in Odell, Illinois, US.
The Standard Oil Gasoline Station is a house-and-canopy style building with expansive glass windows and a two-bay garage for vehicle repairs. The structure displays the straightforward design typical of early gasoline stations, with separate spaces for customer service and mechanical work.
Patrick O'Donnell built this structure in 1932 along Route 66 using an architectural blueprint developed by Standard Oil in 1916. The design represents how national oil companies standardized their gas stations across America during this era.
The station served as a gathering point along Route 66, reflecting the era when gas stations were essential stops for long-distance drivers. You can sense how central these places were to the culture of American road travel during that time.
The building now operates as a welcome center providing information about Route 66 and early American gas station history. Visitors can explore the interior to understand how these stations functioned and served travelers in the 1930s.
The station switched fuel brands several times over the decades, moving from Standard Oil products to other suppliers like Sinclair and Phillips 66. This reflects how gas stations adapted their operations to compete in a changing marketplace.
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