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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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Visitor Tips and News About 1932 Standard Oil Filling Station

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Old gas pump.

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]
1932 Standard Oil Filling Station

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]

Vintage gas station

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]

Sure -- they love our gas stations, but can't stand our love of gasoline....


Nearby Offbeat Places

Restored 1930s Texaco Gas StationRestored 1930s Texaco Gas Station, Dwight, IL - 8 mi.
Burma Shave SignsBurma Shave Signs, Pontiac, IL - 9 mi.
Friendship Shoe FenceFriendship Shoe Fence, Cornell, IL - 11 mi.
In the region:
Larsen's Christmas Lights, Elburn, IL - 63 mi.

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