The Complete Story
In 1927, Edwardsville resident Henry Springer established Springer's Madison Oil Co. at the corner of St. Louis and West Streets, building a small brick structure with a canopy and two Texaco fuel pumps. The station sat perfectly positioned on Route 66 as thousands of travelers passed through Edwardsville daily.
In 1936, owners Robert Smith and Ralph Ladd renamed it West End Service Station and switched to Mobil products, adding a hydraulic hoist and air pressure lubrication system. The original building was demolished and a larger, more modern structure opened on August 5, 1939. During World War II, with rubber rationing in effect, the station became an official government tire inspection site.
When I-55 bypassed Edwardsville in 1964, ending the Route 66 era, the building was purchased by a local dentist. The property sat vacant for years until the City of Edwardsville purchased it at public auction in 2022. With help from a state grant, the former service station reopened in June 2023 as a Route 66 interpretive center with free admission.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ One of only TWO original Route 66 service stations remaining in southwest Illinois (the other is Soulsby's in Mt. Olive)
→ Served as an official government tire inspection site during WWII rubber rationing
→ The current building is actually the SECOND structure - the 1927 original was demolished and rebuilt in 1939
→ The station changed brands from Texaco to Mobil in 1936
→ Sat vacant for over 20 years before being rescued by the city in 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit West End Service Station
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: 620 St. Louis Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025
What's There Now: Route 66 Interpretive Center and Visitor Center, open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm with free admission
GPS Coordinates: 38.8107165, -89.9636817
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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