Obama Gas
Detroit, MI
Photo and info courtesy Richard Weiss

Now here's something you don't see every day. This Detroit gas station was renamed Obama Gas after the election of President Barack Obama, complete with red, white, and blue colors across the property. The main sign even featured a smiling Obama standing in front of the Capitol, making this ordinary neighborhood station anything but ordinary. 10-09

Obama Gas pumps
Detroit, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The whole setup had that one-of-a-kind roadside feel you only get from independent businesses. Instead of a standard gas brand or generic convenience store sign, this place turned a corner gas station into a very visible tribute to the moment. Whether you saw it as politics, patriotism, or just pure roadside creativity, it definitely made you slow down and look.

UPDATE: The gas station appears to remain in operation, though the original Obama Gas sign with the President Obama image has been removed. The site no longer looks the way it did in the 2009 photos. 06-26

Sinclair Gas
Auburn, IN
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

It's hard to drive past a restored station like this without slowing down. This beautifully restored Sinclair Gas Station in Auburn looks much like it did decades ago, complete with vintage pumps, the familiar Sinclair dinosaur sign, and a streamlined Art Deco design that's becoming increasingly rare. It was already impressive when Richard photographed it shortly after the restoration was completed. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 09-10

Auburn has long been known for its automotive heritage, so it's fitting that this old service station found a new purpose restoring and maintaining vintage sports cars instead of pumping gasoline. Rather than sitting vacant or being demolished, the building continues to celebrate the automobile in a different way. I always enjoy seeing places like this because they give you a glimpse of what pulling into a neighborhood gas station once felt like.

Sinclair Gas
Auburn, IN
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The station was restored by local car enthusiast Oscar Roberts, who preserved its period appearance with vintage fuel pumps and the familiar Sinclair dinosaur sign. It's one of those places that's hard to pass without stopping for a closer look.

UPDATE: Following the passing of owner Oscar Roberts, his collection of vintage automobiles was auctioned in 2026. The restored Sinclair station remains standing and continues to be one of Auburn's best-preserved examples of an Art Deco service station. 06-26

Old Gas Station (Gone)
Ray, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

This weathered old gas station sits in the small rural community of Ray, where the main road soon gives way to dirt. Judging by its appearance, the station has been out of business for many years, leaving behind a quiet reminder of the days when even the smallest farming communities had a local place to fill up.

The simple building and pump island reflect the design of countless independent service stations that once dotted America's back roads. Two rusted gasoline pumps remained standing when these photos were taken, long after they had dispensed their last gallon of fuel. Any traces of the station's original petroleum brand have disappeared, making its early history difficult to determine.

Old Gas Station (Gone)
Ray, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Although little is known about the station itself, scenes like this have become increasingly rare as rural service stations disappear through demolition or redevelopment. The surviving pumps and building offer a glimpse of a time when small-town gas stations were an essential stop for both local residents and travelers. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 09-10

UPDATE: The station has been closed for decades, and its original branding and signage are no longer present. While the building remained standing when photographed, its current condition is uncertain, and available records do not confirm whether the structure still survives today. 06-26