The Complete Story
In 1934, Wilfred 'Squeak' Werth opened a distinctive rough stone gas station on Woodlawn Road in Lincoln, Illinois. In an era when most gas pumps only displayed gallons, Werth boasted that his station had 'the most modern pumps in Illinois' - they displayed the value in both dollars AND cents, a revolutionary feature that made calculating fuel costs much easier for customers.
The original icebox-style Texaco station was later expanded with two garage bays and a glass window office, transforming it from a simple filling station into a full-service auto care facility. Werth clearly had an eye for hospitality development: in 1956, he opened the Redwood Motel next door with his wife Dorothy, creating a convenient stop for Route 66 travelers who needed both fuel and rest.
The right side of the current building is identical to the original 1930s icebox Texaco design, preserving a glimpse of the station's earliest appearance. Today, the former gas station has been converted to Werth's Realtor offices, located behind the original structure, maintaining the family name on the property nearly 90 years later.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ Had 'the most modern pumps in Illinois' that showed prices in DOLLARS AND CENTS (revolutionary at the time)
→ Owner Wilfred was nicknamed 'Squeak' Werth
→ The Werths later built the Redwood Motel next door in 1956
→ The right side of the building still matches the original 1930s icebox Texaco design
→ The Werth family name remains on the property today as Werth's Realtor offices
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Werth's Standard Oil
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: 1101 Woodlawn Road, Lincoln, IL 62656
What's There Now: Werth's Realtor offices in a converted structure; original 1930s building section still visible
GPS Coordinates: 40.157454, -89.3877602
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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