The Complete Story
Built in the mid-1930s when Route 66 ran directly through the village of Williamsville, this station was one of over a dozen gas stations that served Mother Road travelers. It pumped various brands over the years - Texaco, Sinclair, and Marathon among them. Norman McDaniel owned it as a Marathon station from 1954 to 1958.
When a bypass was built to the west in 1940, many of Williamsville's stations closed, but this one persevered until 1963. The building sat dormant for decades until Frank Kohlrus, a Williamsville native, purchased it in 2000. His eccentric personality and collection of memorabilia - including corny Route 66 sign gags - made 'Frank's Route 66 Place' an iconic stop. By 2008, he had sold off his die-cast car collection and renamed it simply The Old Station.
In October 2016, Jason L. Hayward purchased the property and has lovingly restored the exterior to its original 1930s appearance, complete with vintage gas pumps and different brand signs. The center bay serves as his 'hobby garage' for restoring cars and motorcycles, while one bay was planned as a coffee shop. Though it no longer pumps gas, it remains a classic photo opportunity for Route 66 travelers.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ Williamsville once had OVER A DOZEN gas stations serving Route 66 travelers
→ The station sold multiple brands over the years: Texaco, Sinclair, and Marathon
→ Previous owner Frank Kohlrus was famous for his corny Route 66 sign gags
→ The 1940 bypass killed most of Williamsville's gas stations, but this one survived until 1963
→ Current owner Jason Hayward uses the bays as a car and motorcycle restoration hobby garage
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Frank's Old Station
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: 117 North Elm Street, Williamsville, IL 62693
What's There Now: Restored 1930s-era gas station with vintage pumps, private car restoration garage, popular Route 66 photo stop
GPS Coordinates: 39.9551349, -89.5500949
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
Continue Your Route 66 Journey
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