The Complete Story
Irish immigrant Henry Soulsby built this service station in 1926, the same year Route 66 was officially designated. His son Russell Soulsby helped build the station as a young man and would go on to run it with his sister Ola for an astonishing 65 years, from 1926 until 1991. Throughout those six and a half decades, the Soulsbys maintained unwavering brand loyalty, selling only Shell gasoline.
The station is one of the oldest and most original service stations remaining on all of Route 66. Unlike many stations that were modernized over the decades, the Soulsby station retained much of its original character, making it a time capsule of early American roadside commerce.
After the station closed, preservation efforts began in 2003 when new owner Mr. Dragovich and the Soulsby Preservation Society started work to save this historic landmark. They removed vinyl siding that had covered the original exterior, restored the original doors and windows, and repainted the building. The station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. Today, restored gas pumps stand outside, while inside a free museum displays memorabilia and petroleum artifacts from the station's remarkable past.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ The station opened in 1926, the same year Route 66 was officially designated
→ Russell and Ola Soulsby operated the station for 65 years, selling only Shell gasoline the entire time
→ Founder Henry Soulsby was an Irish immigrant who saw opportunity along the new highway
→ The station is a frequent stop for Route 66 travelers from around the world
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Soulsby Service Station
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: undefined, Mt Olive, IL 62069
What's There Now: Restored museum and visitor center with original pumps outside. Free admission. Features petroleum artifacts, Route 66 memorabilia, and information about the Soulsby family history. Listed on National Register of Historic Places.
GPS Coordinates: 39.0711143, -89.7354077
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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