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Illinois Canopy Gas Stations

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Ambler's Texaco station
Dwight, IL
former station
Beardstown, IL
Ambler's Texaco station was built in 1933. It was the longest operating station on Route 66. In later years, it was a Marathon station. It was restored in 2004 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see this website. [map]

This former station in Beardstown was really showing its age when this photo was taken in 2009. By 2013, the building had been covered up with new siding. By 2023, the building had been restored as La Catarina Paleteria and Ice Cream Shop. Does anyone know the history of this building? [map]

former station
Effingham, IL
This former station is on display at Mid America Motorworks. It was built in 1910 and originally located in Casey, IL. It was restored and installed at the museum in 1995. I don't know if this Mobilgas sign standing next to the station was brought from Casey or if it was just added for looks. [map]

former Shell station
Mount Olive, IL
This former Shell station was built in 1926 by Henry Soulsby. The building was enlarged in 1937 to include a TV repair business. The station closed in 1991. The office is now a mini museum with Route 66 and Shell memorabilia. For more, see this website. [map]

Sprague's Super Service
Normal, IL
This former station was known as Sprague's Super Service. It was built in 1931 by William W. Sprague. The ground floor was used as a restaurant, gas station and garage. The second floor had two apartments: one for the owner and one for the attendant. Additions were made in 1948 and 1967. The pumps were removed around 1979. There have been several cafe and auto-related businesses here over the years. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These photos are from 2009 when restoration had begun. In 2017, the place opened as Ryburn Place, a Route 66 information center and gift shop. Vintage pump replicas have been installed. [map]

former station
Normal, IL
former station
Peru, IL
This former station in Normal was built by 1930 when it was known as Doc's Garage. By 1940, it housed a Royal Crown Bottling Co. [map]

This former station in Peru may have been a Standard station originally. This photo is from 2009. By 2015, the building had been covered with siding and it was housing Peru Home Entertainment. It is now being used as a used car dealership. [map]

Odell Standard Station
Odell, IL
The Odell Standard Station was built in 1932. It later served as a Phillips 66 and a Sinclair station after that. It was last used as a gas station in the mid-1960s. It was a body shop until 1975 and then abandoned. It was restored in 1999. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular stop on Route 66. For more, see this website. [map]

former Standard station
Rochelle, IL
This former Standard station was built in 1918. It was restored by the City of Rochelle and is now used as a visitors' center. This station is located on the Lincoln Highway. For more, see this website. [map]

former Texaco station
Old Shawneetown, IL
This former Texaco station has probably been vacant since the late 1930s or early 1940s. After a flood in 1937, the town moved three miles away from the riverfront. I don't know if this was always a Texaco or if the sign was added later. [map]

former Texaco station
Plainfield, IL
This former Texaco station was built in 1928. Although Plainfield and even the National Register say this was originally a Standard Oil station, the building is definitely a Texaco design. This station operated as the Welco Gas Port in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The building was used as a gas station until 1983. In 1985, it was converted into "The Courtyard", a retail complex. At that time, the building was renovated and an addition (at right in the first photo) was built using a similar design to create a courtyard. [map]

There are many surviving examples of this "Denver style" Texaco design around the country and scattered throughout the gas station section here at my website. One particularly nice example is in Canfield, OH.

former station
Berwyn, IL
This former station was occupied by the Bill & Son Clarence Ave. Service Station when this photo was taken in 2009. It now houses an auto repair shop. [map]

former station
Kankakee, IL
This former station was a Phillips 66 at one point. I don't know if that was the original brand sold here. These photos are from 2012. The building now houses a tire shop. [map]

former station [gone]
Pana, IL
This former station appeared to be vacant when this photo was taken in 2010. It was still vacant in 2018. By 2022, it had been demolished.

former station
Chicago, IL
This former station in Chicago is next door to Sam's Chop Suey. Although the restaurant's sign hung from the former station when these photos were taken in 2006, the building still seems to be used for auto repairs. By 2014, the building housed Tower Auto Rebuilders. For more, see this website. [map]

former McCornack Oil station
St. Charles, IL
The former McCornack Oil station was built in 1928. In 1962, the building was sold to Texaco. It was later leased to other tenants and then boarded up in 1990. In 2001, it reopened as the St. Charles History Museum. [map]

More Illinois:
former station (Sycamore)
former station (West Frankfort)

Illinois
Art Deco
Illinois
Ice Boxes
Illinois
Pure Oil
Illinois
Misc.

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Tips & Updates. If you have suggestions about places that I haven't covered, historical info, or updates about places/things that have been remodeled or removed, I'd love to hear from you: roadarch@outlook.com.