Abandoned historic gas stations have in the past been viewed as a hindrance to the redevelopment of a neighborhood or community. They are a reflection of car culture, pop culture, corporate standardization, and an era of customer service that today seems quaint.įigure 1. Surviving historic stations are physical reminders of the transportation revolution and the influence of increased mobility on the landscape. They are one of America’s most common commercial building types and are emblematic of the twentieth century. Yet, for the past hundred years gas stations have occupied prime locations on main streets and suburban corners, on small town roads, and along early highways. Unless your tank is empty, gasoline stations rarely attract attention.
PRESERVATION BRIEFS 46 The Preservation and Reuse of Historic Gas Stations American Petroleum Institute Photograph and Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.