{"id":878521,"date":"2026-06-19T15:33:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T15:33:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/878521\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:33:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T15:33:27","slug":"a-tour-of-southern-californias-historic-landmark-gas-stations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/878521\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tour of Southern California’s Historic Landmark Gas Stations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dozens of artists have exhibited their works inside the charming little former Richfield gas station in Glendale. The 1936 Streamline Moderne creampuff sits in the center of Adams Square Mini Park, built almost two decades ago after the land was purchased by the city and turned into parkland with the vintage filling station as the centerpiece. A \u201cMake Art in the Park\u201d series and annual events around the holidays activate the restored landmark. \u00a0The project may be the only instance of a municipally-owned vintage gas station being repurposed into an art park anywhere in the U.S.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Adams Hill Neighborhood Association<\/a> is throwing the station a 90th\u00a0birthday party on June 27 from 2-5 p.m. with food trucks, a bookmobile and fun stuff for kids. The art of Mandy Palasik is on display inside and blooms are blooming all through the park.<\/p>\n

The vast majority of historic gas stations were wiped out in regular remodels sponsored by the gas companies over the decades. A few Southern California survivors live on hidden under signage and remodels as tire shops or garages, but a few have been celebrated with new life as official landmarks and neighborhood hangouts. We even found one Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument that still sells gasoline.<\/p>\n

\"\"Adams Square Mini Park in GlendaleCredit: Photo by Arlene Vidor<\/p>\n

Adams Square Mini Park<\/a>
1020 E Palmer Ave, Glendale<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Historic Richfield Oil Company Gas Station lies in the center of this charming neighborhood, playing host to the summer Arts Festival, Pride events, bike meetups and rotating art exhibits inside.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/explore\/locations\/2145829\/adams-square-mini-park<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cub House<\/a>
2510 Mission St., San Marino<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 1948 Weddle\u2019s Richfield has been repurposed, somewhat ironically, as a bike hangout and plant nursery. There\u2019s espresso, car and bike shows and cycling apparel for sale.<\/p>\n

Scroll to continue reading<\/p>\n

https:\/\/cubhouse.cc\/info<\/a><\/p>\n

Chevron Station<\/a>
110 South Barrington Ave., Brentwood<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brentwood residents banded together to get this 1938 Spanish Colonial Revival station declared a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1988. It is the only station on this list still selling gasoline, but today the service bays house Anthony\u2019s Flowers, a luxury florist.<\/p>\n

\"\"Starbucks on Highland Ave. in HollywoodCredit: Photo by Junkyardsparkle\/Wikipedia<\/p>\n

Starbucks<\/a>
859 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the Original Farmers Market, the Gilmore family also ran the Gilmore Oil Company and built this \u201cRed Lion\u201d brand station in 1935. The Streamline Moderne station suffered decades of indignities, surviving a long closure, vandalism and car accidents, until being restored by Starbucks and winning the Los Angeles Conservancy preservation award in 2018.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/visitpalmsprings.com\/plan\/visitor-center<\/a><\/p>\n

Palm Springs Visitors Center<\/a>
2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the only midcentury service stations to be on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1965 hyperbolic paraboloid roof stretches almost to the ground and reaches for outer space. Architect Albert Frey designed the station in 1965 and the group trying to save it 30 years later kickstarted the historic preservation movement in Palm Springs. Since 2003, it has housed the visitors center and functioned as the gateway to the desert resorts.<\/p>\n

Afters Ice Cream<\/a>
1265 E Green St, Pasadena<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those sweet vintage Texaco Sky Chief pumps are still there, but where cars once filled up on fuel, ice cream lovers now fill up with sweet treats at picnic benches.\u00a0 A charming little survivor from 1929 and the only one serving up unique sweets like French Toast Churro and Peanut Butter Smores under the 1929 canopy. Declared a historic property in the City of Pasadena since 2008.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/aftersicecream.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Palm Springs Visitors CenterCredit: Photo by Bryanb7\/Wikipedia<\/p>\n

Palm Springs Visitors Center<\/a>
2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the only midcentury service stations to be on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1965 hyperbolic paraboloid roof stretches almost to the ground and reaches for outer space. Architect Albert Frey designed the station in 1965 and the group trying to save it 30 years later kickstarted the historic preservation movement in Palm Springs. Since 2003, it has housed the visitors center and functioned as the gateway to the desert resorts.<\/p>\n

Scott Prentice Architects<\/a>
507 Entrada Drive, Santa Monica<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unless you are commissioning architect Scott Prentice to create a custom home for you, chances are you will not be visiting Historic-Cultural Monument #800 built in 1922, now a private office. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s almost out of\u00a0Andy Griffith\u00a0and Mayberry, from another era,\u201d Quentin Fleming of the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association told the New York Times in 2005 when the building was endangered. \u201cOn a cold, rainy night, when you\u2019re driving up the canyon and you see the glow of the gas pumps, it literally welcomes you home with open arms. It\u2019s like a lighthouse.\u201d What had been the oldest continuously operating service station in L.A. closed in 2004 but was later restored.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/scottprenticearchitects.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Omo Mercado<\/a>
259B E Arrow Hwy, Upland<\/strong><\/p>\n

The sleek lines of the original building shine through in this contemporary natural wine bar and bottle shop that takes full advantage of the indoor-outdoor nature of the space. With DJs, a night market and rooms for private parties, this unique remix of a vintage station feels like a 1930s car with a high-powered EV motor under the hood.<\/p>\n

\"\"Cucamonga Service StationCredit: Photo by Ron Reiring\/Flickr<\/p>\n

Cucamonga Service Station<\/a>
9670 Foothill Blvd., Cucamonga<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Thursday through Sunday, visitors looking for an authentic piece of old Route 66, swarm this 111-year-old survivor. A non-profit called Route 66 Inland Empire California raised funds to bring it dressed as a typical station of the 1930s or 40s. Their next goal is to expand by rebuilding the original service garage in the back.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Runabout Goods<\/a>
721 S Shamrock Ave., Monrovia<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monrovia\u2019s Flying A Station on the original alignment of Route 66 is nearly as old as the mother road itself. Opened in 1927, the space is currently being restored by Mike Hodis of Runabout Goods, as a showroom for the men\u2019s apparel brand, famous for old-fashioned denim and outdoors wear. The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently kicked in $10,000 to help fund concrete work, landscaping and a trio of vintage Flying A pumps returning to the front of the station. Next door, a corner market has been reimagined as Fred\u2019s, a special events venue decked out with a diner and classic car collection.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.runaboutgoods.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Clark\u2019s Station<\/a>
305 South Main St, Orange<\/strong><\/p>\n

This survivor, built in 1927 by Fritz J. Christiansen and Carl Emerson Grow, features a ski-slope roof and a teensy tiny flower shop. The adorable florist, recently joined by a drive-thru pizza truck, is a couple of blocks from the incredible California art collection of the Hilbert Museum and a few blocks from the antiques of Old Towne Orange.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/clarksstation.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Royal Lobster<\/a>
4450 Beverly Blvd., Koreatown<\/strong><\/p>\n

A building surrounded by smooth speed lines, this teensy former World War II-era Richfield Station was reimagined as a gourmet lobster roll spot in 2021. The red neon \u201cLobster\u201d signs hung on the canopy draw the eye as much as the Richfield eagle that beckoned generations earlier.<\/p>\n

\"\"Ronnie\u2019s in Altadena in 1978Credit: Photo by John Margolies\/Library of Congress<\/p>\n

Mad Lab Coffee<\/a>
2012 N. Lake Ave., Altadena<\/strong><\/p>\n

Owner Andrew Sinclair signed the lease on this streamline station one day before the devastating Altadena fire last year with the idea of turning the popular movie location called Ronnie\u2019s Automotive Service (Transformers, The Love Bug, Dodgeball) into a gourmet coffee house. He\u2019s still committed to bringing his Downtown-based specialty coffee roaster to the station.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/madlab.co<\/a><\/p>\n