Tag Archives: Gas stations
The Associated gas station on the northeast corner of Rexford Drive and Burton Way, Beverly Hills, 1941
I can’t imagine that the standard greeting at this Associated Gas station was to receive a fresh gardenia from a pretty girl but it sure makes for a nice photo. It was taken on the northeast corner of Rexford Drive … Continue reading
Gaylord Apartments, corner of Wilshire Blvd and Kenmore Ave, Los Angeles, 1938
Most vintage photos of the Gaylord Apartments were taken looking eastward down Wilshire Boulevard from Normandie Ave or Harvard Boulevard so this one taken looking eastward from Kenmore is a refreshing change—even if we can’t see the iconic Brown Derby … Continue reading
Goodyear tire store and gas station at South La Brea Ave and West 2nd St., Los Angeles, circa 1931
This Goodyear tire store opened at West 2nd St and South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, in 1931. In order to catch the eye of passing motorists, most Goodyear tire operations featured a miniature blimp over the gas pump island. … Continue reading
Gilmore gas station lit up at night, Los Angeles, circa 1940
There’s something about the gas stations of yesteryear that seem to be far more memorable that the ones we pull into these days. Every inch of this Gilmore gas station appears to be covered in light, which must have made … Continue reading
Union 76 gas station, 1160 Westwood Boulevard, Westwood, Los Angeles, 1933
These days, all gas stations tend to look like each other. They’re a functional necessary evil in the modern world, but it wasn’t always like that, which this photo proves. This Union 76 gas station was at 1160 Westwood Blvd … Continue reading
Night shot of a “Flying A” brand gas station in Los Angeles
I have neither a date nor a location for this “Flying A” brand gas station located somewhere in Los Angeles. But I do love the way it echoes the popular circular drive-in restaurants and the way it used light to … Continue reading
Bob’s Airmail Service gas station featuring a Fokker F-32 aircraft, 5453 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 1938
When you hear someone say “They sure don’t make ‘em like that anymore.” they could be talking about Bob’s Airmail Service. It was a gas station that featured an actual Fokker F-32 aircraft complete with spinning propellers. It sat 5453 … Continue reading
A LaSalle being attended to in “full service” at the Muller Brothers Service Station at 6380 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, 1938.
You know you’re looking at a vintage photo when you’re watching four—count them, FOUR—gas station attendants (in pristine uniforms, no less) giving full service to one single vehicle. In this particular case, this amazing event took place in 1938 at … Continue reading
Union 76 gas station at Crescent Dr and Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills
This Union 76 gas station was built in 1965, so it doesn’t really qualify for the golden-era Hollywood photos that I usually focus on, it’s so damned dramatic—especially at night—that I feel compelled to post this arresting photo anyway. It … Continue reading
Specification Motor Oil System Service Station on the southwest corner of Washington and 8th St, Los Angeles, circa 1930s
It amazes me the care and creativity that often went into the design of gas stations in Los Angeles in the 1930s. This Art Deco extravaganza was the Specification Motor Oil System Service Station that stood on the southwest corner … Continue reading