Sinclair Dino
Wisconsin Dells, WI Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Sinclair has been home to "Dino" since 1930, and it's hard to think of another gas station mascot that's become more recognizable. Check out this huge dinosaur protruding from the front of the Sinclair Gas Station in Wisconsin Dells. It's impossible to drive by without taking a second look. 03-06
The friendly green dinosaur was inspired by the prehistoric reptiles whose remains were found in the same geological formations that produced much of Sinclair's oil. Over the years, Dino appeared on everything from porcelain signs to inflatable displays, but oversized fiberglass dinosaurs like this became some of the company's most memorable roadside attractions.
The Wisconsin Dells location took the idea one step further by building the giant dinosaur right into the front of the station. In a town already famous for its larger-than-life attractions, it fit right in and became a favorite photo stop for generations of travelers.
UPDATE: Although the station has changed ownership and no longer operates as a Sinclair, the giant dinosaur remains in place above the entrance. Today the property operates as Dino Stop II, and the famous green mascot continues to greet visitors to Wisconsin Dells. 06-26
Wadham Gas
West Allis, WI Photo and info courtesy Vic Eirschele
Here's the old Wadham Gas station in West Allis. Even though the pump islands are long gone, the building has been beautifully maintained and remains one of Wisconsin's most distinctive surviving service stations. It's hard to miss the unusual pagoda-style roof, a design that set Wadham stations apart from just about every other gas station of the era. 07-06
Wadham's Oil and Grease Company, based in Milwaukee, developed this unique architectural style during the 1920s. Designed by noted architect Alexander Eschweiler, the stations featured sweeping pagoda roofs, red tile accents, and decorative stained glass windows with the company's "W" logo. They were meant to be neighborhood landmarks as much as places to buy gasoline.
This station opened in 1927 and later operated for many years as Frank Seneca Service. Although road improvements eventually claimed the original pump islands, the building itself survived and remains one of the best examples of Wadham's distinctive architecture.
Wadham Gas view from across street
West Allis, WI Photo courtesy Vic Eirschele
UPDATE: The former Wadham station has been carefully restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Owned by the City of West Allis, the building now serves as a small museum showcasing the history of the station, the Wadhams Oil and Grease Company, and early motoring in Wisconsin. 06-26
(Below) More photos of the Wadhams Gas Station interior shots.
Wadham Gas interior
West Allis, WI Photo courtesy Vic Eirschele
Wadham Gas more interior
West Allis, WI Photo courtesy Vic Eirschele
DX Gas
Kennett, MO Photo courtesy Doug Harvey
Here's an old sign from a DX gas station in Kennett, Missouri. Once a familiar sight across much of the Midwest, the distinctive DX logo was a welcome landmark for motorists looking for fuel and service on the open road. 12-06
The DX brand was introduced by the Tulsa-based Sunray DX Oil Company and eventually spread throughout a large network of independently operated service stations. With its bold red-and-white design, the logo was easy to spot from down the highway and became one of the better-known gasoline brands of the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, signs like this have become much harder to find as older service stations have disappeared and the DX name faded into history. Fortunately, a few survivors remain to remind us of a time when every oil company had its own distinctive identity and every roadside sign had a little personality.
UPDATE: The exact location of this DX sign within Kennett has not been verified, so its current status is unknown. Whether it still stands or has since been removed could not be confirmed. 06-26
Standard Gas
Port Huron, MI Photo and info courtesy Richard Weiss
As you pass through Port Huron, you'll come across this beautifully restored Standard Gas station. Originally built in 1922, it's one of Michigan's finest surviving Standard Oil stations and today serves as a visitor center for a nearby waterfront development. The building in the background of these photos has since disappeared, but the station itself remains in outstanding condition. 01-07
One of the most interesting features is the restored pump island. The pumps sit on a red platform that's actually mounted on wheels. When the visitor center closes, the island can be jacked up and rolled inside one of the service bays to protect the vintage pumps from the weather. It's a clever solution that helps preserve the station while still allowing visitors to enjoy it outdoors during the day.
Built during the early years of the automobile, stations like this were designed to be attractive neighborhood buildings rather than simply places to buy gasoline. Fortunately, this one escaped demolition and has found a new purpose while retaining the character that made it special in the first place.
UPDATE: The former Standard Oil station remains beautifully restored and continues to serve as a visitor center along Port Huron's waterfront. Although the neighboring building shown in the original photo has been demolished and the surrounding property has changed, the historic station continues to be one of the city's best-preserved roadside landmarks. 06-26
Petersburg's Low Priced Station - 1993 (Demolished)
Perrysburg, OH Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Here is an old station called Perrysburg's Low Priced Station found in Perrysburg, Ohio. This is still one of the early gas stations and it matched the streetscape well (not shown here). The photos were taken in 1993. I went by a year or two later and it was gone, replaced by your t9ypical nondescript affair with a large canopy. The streetscape is certainly not as charming as it once was. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for photos and info. 1-07
Early gas stations were often designed to complement the neighborhoods they served, especially in established downtown business districts. With its modest scale and traditional design, this station blended naturally into the street rather than standing apart from it. It's a style that largely disappeared as modern convenience stores and oversized canopies became the norm.
UPDATE: The original station was demolished in the mid-1990s and replaced by a modern gas station. Unfortunately, none of the early structure survives, leaving these photographs as a reminder of one of Perrysburg's more distinctive roadside landmarks. 06-26
A front profile of the station - 1993
Perrysburg, OH Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Other old buildings in the streetscape - 1993
Perrysburg, OH Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Wadham Gas
This station opened in 1927 and later operated for many years as Frank Seneca Service. Although road improvements eventually claimed the original pump islands, the building itself survived and remains one of the best examples of Wadham's distinctive architecture.
DX Gas
Standard Gas
Built during the early years of the automobile, stations like this were designed to be attractive neighborhood buildings rather than simply places to buy gasoline. Fortunately, this one escaped demolition and has found a new purpose while retaining the character that made it special in the first place.
Petersburg's Low Priced Station - 1993 (Demolished)
