Skip to Main Content

World's Largest Redwood Tree Service Station

World's Largest Redwood Tree Service Station

Field review by the editors.

Ukiah, California

The Redwood Tree Service Station was made from a 1,500 year old tree selected from the coastal redwood forests west of Ukiah. The tree was 250 feet high and 81 feet in circumference at the base when it was chopped down in 1936. It was painstakingly quartered, transported, reassembled, and cabled back together. A roof and canopy were added, then covered with redwood shakes. Two smaller log sections behind the main log became restrooms.

Nicknamed "The Stump" by locals, novel building has always been a popular Redwood Highway tourist stop and shutterbug magnet (that's the whole point of lugging a massive tree out of the forest to the town). The 1930s happened to be a fertile era for ancient wood service stations (Petrified wood gas stations were erected in Lamar, CO in 1932; and Decatur, TX in 1935).

Log museum.

The Redwood Tree Service Station has seen a succession of owners, first opened by Bob Ford and Al Weger; after several years, Ford bought out Wegner; after World War II Ford became partners with Jess Rawles. Older postcards on display in the log-museum declare "Rawles and Ford - At Your Service - Ukiah California." In 1962, Rawles bought the business from Ford, and eventually sold it to the Martyn family. Postcards were adjusted accordingly, and the stump continued to pump a variety of gasoline brands.

Redwood Western Motor Oil.

The stump no longer dispenses gas, but a car repair business still operates in the adjacent building under the name Redwood Tree Service Station. The Stump is maintained as a self-guided museum -- vintage pumps sit under its canopy.

The office interior is open during business hours, and displays framed historical photos and light-bleached newspaper clippings, an old cash register, assorted retired signs, oil cans and other petroliana.

World's Largest Redwood Tree Service Station

Redwood Tree Service Station

Address:
815 N. State St., Ukiah, CA
Directions:
North side of Ukiah, State St. south of Low Gap Rd.
Hours:
No gas sold. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:
Free.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Tree CarvingsTree Carvings, Ukiah, CA - < 1 mi.
City of Ten Thousand BuddhasCity of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Ukiah, CA - 3 mi.
Seabiscuit's Grave and StatueSeabiscuit's Grave and Statue, Willits, CA - 12 mi.
In the region:
Potter Schoolhouse from The Birds, Bodega, CA - 58 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in California

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in California.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

California Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings