Gas Station
Chenoa, IL
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

This old gas station in Chenoa appears to have pumped its last gallon of gas many years ago. Located along historic Route 66, it's one of many former service stations left behind as traffic shifted from the Mother Road to Interstate 55.

The building has the simple, practical design common to many independent service stations that once lined Route 66. It wasn't meant to impress with flashy architecture—it was built to fuel cars, fix flats, and keep travelers moving. Thousands of stations like this once served motorists before bypasses changed the fortunes of countless small-town businesses.

Although the pumps are gone and the station sits quiet today, the building remains a familiar reminder of Chenoa's Route 66 heritage and the days when nearly every town along the highway had its own neighborhood filling station.

Standard Oil
Odell, IL
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Standard Oil station in Odell is one of the best-known landmarks along historic Route 66. Built in 1932, the station was designed in the popular house-style architecture of the era, giving it a welcoming appearance that blended into the surrounding neighborhood while serving the growing number of motorists traveling the Mother Road.

Over the years, the station operated under several familiar gasoline brands, including Standard Oil, Sinclair, and Phillips 66. A two-bay garage was added to the rear during the 1940s, and the station remained in operation until 1975. When this photo was taken, the building was undergoing the careful restoration that would eventually return it to its former appearance.

Thanks to the efforts of the Route 66 Association of Illinois and many dedicated volunteers, one of the highway's most recognizable service stations was saved rather than lost. Today, it stands as one of the finest preserved reminders of Route 66's golden age.

UPDATE: The restoration has since been completed, and the station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Owned by the Village of Odell, it now operates as a seasonal visitor center and museum, welcoming Route 66 travelers from around the world. 06-26

Standard Oil
Lafayette, IN
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Standard Oil station in Lafayette is one of Indiana's best-preserved service stations. Built around 1927-1928, this classic Red Crown station features the white glazed brick walls and red tile roof that became hallmarks of Standard Oil of Indiana's neighborhood stations during the early years of automobile travel.

Known locally for many years as "Jonesy's" Standard Oil, the station remained in operation until 1979. A second service bay was added in 1936 as automobile traffic increased, and fortunately the building escaped demolition after it closed. Instead, it became the focus of a restoration that carefully returned the station to its original appearance, including uncovering the original glazed brick walls and replacing the distinctive red roof tiles.

Today, it's a surviving examples of Standard Oil architecture in the Midwest and a reminder of an era when gas stations were designed to be attractive neighborhood landmarks rather than simply places to buy fuel.

UPDATE: The restored station continues to stand at the corner of 6th Street and South Street. After serving for years as the Red Crown Mini-Museum, the building is now home to the Tippecanoe County Public Library's 24-hour book, movie, and media kiosk, giving the historic station a unique new purpose while preserving its architectural character. 06-26

Old Gas Station
St. Elmo, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

This old gas station sits abandoned along the roadside in St. Elmo. Although little is known about its history, it's easy to imagine the days when it welcomed motorists traveling U.S. Route 40 before Interstate 70 diverted much of the traffic away from towns like this.

Old Gas Station is a simple reminder of an era when nearly every small town had its own neighborhood filling station. These independent businesses fueled cars, repaired flats, checked oil, and often became gathering places for the local community. Today, examples like this are becoming harder to find.

Unfortunately, the station's original brand and history have been lost over time. Even so, the weathered building still captures a small piece of roadside America that once seemed to exist in every town across the Midwest.

UPDATE: The exact location of this station within St. Elmo has not been verified, so its current condition is unknown. The original photograph shows it already abandoned, but it has not been confirmed whether the building still survives today. 06-26

Phillips 66
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

Here's a classic Phillips 66 emblem from back in the day. Few gasoline logos are as recognizable as the famous shield, which became a familiar sight along highways across America. Whether mounted on a porcelain sign, a towering pole, or a neon station marquee, the Phillips 66 shield was a welcome sight for generations of motorists.

The Phillips 66 name dates back to 1927, when a company test car reportedly reached 66 miles per hour on U.S. Route 66 during a gasoline demonstration. The coincidence inspired one of the most recognizable names in the petroleum industry. By the late 1950s, the company adopted the orange-and-black shield seen here, replacing its earlier green-and-white design.

Today, original Phillips 66 porcelain signs have become favorites among collectors, especially those with ties to Route 66 and the golden age of the American road trip. They serve as reminders of a time when every oil company had its own distinctive identity, and every stop for gas added a little more character to the journey.

UPDATE: The original location of this sign is unknown, so its current status cannot be verified. Authentic Phillips 66 porcelain signs have become increasingly difficult to find and remain among the most popular pieces of vintage gas station memorabilia. 06-26

Standard Gas
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

Check out this old Standard Gas marquee. It's definitely seen better days, but that's part of what makes it so appealing. Weathered signs like this are becoming harder to find, especially ones that still retain so much of their original character.

For decades, the Standard Oil name was one of the most familiar sights along American highways. After the breakup of Standard Oil in 1911, several regional companies continued using the Standard name in their territories, and signs like this became familiar landmarks for generations of motorists looking for fuel and service.

Even in its worn condition, this old marquee is a great reminder of a time when gas stations had their own identity and every oil company seemed to have a distinctive sign out front. It's the kind of roadside relic that's easy to drive past, but well worth a second look.

UPDATE: The original location of this marquee is unknown, so its current status cannot be verified. Surviving Standard Gas signs have become increasingly scarce and are popular with collectors who appreciate early roadside advertising and petroleum history. 06-26

Zeeway Gas N' Go
Cleveland, OH
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

This Zeeway Gas N' Go sign has always reminded me of an old Zenith sign. Whether that resemblance was intentional or not, it certainly gave the station a distinctive look that was hard to miss. It's a great example of how smaller, independent gas stations often came up with creative ways to stand out from the major oil companies.

With its bold lettering and eye-catching design, the sign did exactly what it was supposed to do—grab the attention of passing motorists. Long before digital price signs and convenience store chains became the norm, distinctive marquees like this were often what drew drivers off the road for a fill-up.

Unfortunately, not much has been documented about this particular station, but the sign itself is worth remembering. It's another reminder that some of the most interesting roadside advertising came from independent businesses rather than the big national brands.

UPDATE: The exact location and history of this Zeeway Gas N' Go station could not be verified, so the current status of both the business and the sign is unknown. The original photograph preserves a memorable piece of Cleveland roadside history whose fate remains uncertain. 06-26