The Complete Story
In 1932, contractor Patrick O'Donnell purchased a small 200-foot by 60-foot parcel of land along Route 66 in Odell, Illinois. There he built a gas station based on a 1916 Standard Oil of Ohio design, commonly known as a 'domestic style' gas station. This house-with-canopy style was intended to give customers a comfortable, home-like feeling that would create an atmosphere of trust for travelers.
The station originally sold Standard Oil products and gas for 20 cents per gallon to the many travelers of Route 66. In 1952, Robert Close leased the station from O'Donnell, and when O'Donnell died in 1957, Close purchased the property from his estate for just $1,550. The station continued serving travelers until 1975, after which Close used the building for body work until 1999.
That year, the Village of Odell purchased the station for the express purpose of historic restoration. The station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 9, 1997. In 2002, it won the National Historic Route 66 Federation's prestigious Cyrus Avery Award for the year's most outstanding Route 66 preservation project.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ The station design dates back to 1916, making it one of the oldest gas station architectural styles still standing on Route 66
→ Robert Close purchased the station from O'Donnell's estate for only $1,550 in 1957
→ Won the 2002 Cyrus Avery Award, Route 66's highest preservation honor
→ Gas sold for just 20 cents per gallon when the station opened in 1932
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Standard Oil Gas Station
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: undefined, Odell, IL 60460
What's There Now: Restored welcome center and visitor information stop for the Village of Odell. Open daily 10am-4pm for tours. Free admission. Features period-correct restoration of the 1932 'domestic style' architecture.
GPS Coordinates: 41.0019056, -88.5290629
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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