Odell, Illinois: 1932 Standard Oil Filling Station
See what it was like to pull into a gas station during the Great Depression. You can't buy gas, but you can take a picture of your car at the pumps.
- Address:
- 400 S. West St., Odell, IL
- Directions:
- I-55 exit 209. Southwest edge of town at the corner of S. West and W. Deer Sts.
- Phone:
- 815-458-6616
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1932 Standard Oil Filling Station
Back in 1932 when they said to pump your own gas, they really meant it. The manual pump required you to move the lever back-and-forth until the amount of gas you wanted was in the glassed-in area of the pump. Then you inserted the nozzle and let gravity take over. I used one of those pumps as late as 1975 at a remote village in Alaska.
[Jon Morgan, 12/07/2018]It looks like it's only opened seasonally (reopening April 1, according to the sign when we stopped). But it's worth a stop for some good photo ops and a pre-recorded history lesson. Be sure to stop by brown sign across from church, as instructed by recording, for a unique bit of history.
[J Nichols, 11/25/2012]1932 Standard Oil Filling Station on Route 66
Award winning restoration by the Route 66 Preservation Committee of Illinois. This site offers the traveler the opportunity to visit a station as it was in 1932, complete with original gravity flow pump, and numerous original items inside. Also has a 1952 travel camper to tour. Souvenirs available.
Visited by thousands of people from many countries. In numerous documentaries for movies, television, including Japan, Germany, France and more.
[John Weiss, Chairman of Rt. 66 Preservation, 04/06/2003]Nearby Offbeat Places
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Sure -- they love our gas stations, but can't stand our love of gasoline....