Big Pump

The Big Pump is a building designed in Art Deco style standing about 21 feet (6.4 meters) tall and shaped like an oversized gasoline pump from the early automotive era. It has a wooden frame covered with sheet metal panels that mimic the form of a vintage fuel dispenser.

The structure was built in 1937 by H.L. Foster & Co. as a gas pump design for a station in Maryville, then was relocated to King City in later years. It was eventually removed from the National Register listing.

The pump reflects how automobile travel reshaped American life in the 1930s, turning gas stations into everyday gathering places where people paused during journeys. It shows how cars became central to how people moved around and connected with one another.

The pump sits on the grounds of the Tri-County Historical Museum on Grand Avenue and can be viewed and photographed from outside during daylight hours. There is no entrance fee required to view the exterior.

When operating as a gas station, it offered free ice cream to customers who purchased at least ten gallons of fuel. This made the location a social stop where travelers enjoyed pausing during their journeys.

Location: Missouri

GPS coordinates: 40.33528,-94.87306

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:07