Clarkdale Classic Station (Closed)
Clarkdale, AZ
Photo courtesy M.C. Morrissey

Cruising along Main Street in the historic copper mining town of Clarkdale brings you past one of the most remarkable vintage service stations in the country: the Clarkdale Classic Station. Catching the eye of passing motorists with its gleaming metallic facade, this roadside treasure holds an architectural pedigree unlike any other filling station in the American Southwest. 11-05

Built in 1942 through a special agreement between Texaco and the Phelps-Dodge Mining Corporation, the station was penned by legendary industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague, the vision behind the iconic Kodak Brownie camera. While Teague designed standard streamline modern stations across the nation, this specific building was faced with solid copper panels—making it celebrated as the only copper-sided gas station ever built by Texaco, honoring the rich smelting history of the Verde Valley.

UPDATE: Correction made as the gas station is located in Clarkdale and not Cottonwood as previously labeled. Many thanks to Stephen Driscoll for update. 07-07

UPDATE: The Clarkdale Classic Station has ceased fuel sales and automotive repairs. The property was recently acquired by the Arizona Copper Art Museum, which plans a full restoration of the historic copper panels and the installation of authentic vintage Texaco signage. 08-26

Pete's Gas Station (now museum)
Williams, AZ
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Cruising along the historic main drag of Williams brings you straight to Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum, an eye-catching roadside treasure decked out in classic orange and white Union 76 colors. 05-13

Originally built in 1949 as Whitaker's Union Station, the garage fueled cross-country motorists until gas sales and servicing ceased in 1989. After sitting quiet for a few years, the location found a second life as a private museum and gift shop. Staged with vintage gravity pumps, a 1950 Ford sedan on the front apron, and classic enamel signs, the site is the only surviving mid-century service station structure in the historic downtown core.

UPDATE: Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum remains open as an active museum and souvenir shop along Route 66 in Williams. 08-26

Gas Station
Kingman, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here is an old gas station located along historic Route 66 in Kingman, AZ. The station features a mid-century building design with an angled canopy extending out over the driveway. 09-21

The building is made of painted concrete block and still has vintage, disconnected gas pumps sitting on the front island. Based on its structure, the location appears to have operated as an independent or regional service station serving travelers along the highway during the mid to late 20th century before business along the route slowed down.

Today, the gas station is no longer in business, and the original sign panels have been removed. However, the building and its vintage pumps remain standing by the roadside as an interesting piece of old highway architecture.

UPDATE: This Route 66 gas station is permanently closed. The main signage is gone, but the building shell and old gas pumps remain on the property. 08-26

Gas Station (Closed)
Truxton, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here is an old automotive repair building found along historic Route 66 in Truxton, AZ. Known as the 24 Hour Garage, this mid-century auto shop was built with prominent roll-up bay doors facing right out toward the road. 09-21

Back during the busier days of highway travel, this location provided around-the-clock mechanical service and emergency roadside help for motorists navigating the long desert stretches between Kingman and Seligman. The sturdy concrete block building features large service bays designed to pull vehicles straight in off the highway for quick repairs.

After interstate traffic shifted away from this northern alignment, the garage eventually shut down and the original roadside signage was removed. Today, the vacant structure remains standing along the north side of Route 66 as an intact reminder of the corridor's service station past.

UPDATE: The 24 Hour Garage is permanently closed and vacant. The original street-side signs have been removed, but the concrete-block building and garage bays still stand along the highway. 08-26