The Craziest Gas Stations Around The World

1. Beverly Hills, California

Image source: Atlas Obscura

If you are familiar with Googie architecture, then you will soon realise that this Union 76 gas station in Beverly Hills is a prime example.  It looks almost space age which is what the designer Gin Wong from Pereira and Associates wanted to achieve.  It was originally going to be part of the Los Angeles Airport but, unfortunately, this building did not quite fit in with the airport's plans so it was reimagined as a gas station.  In any other state in America, the gas station would look out of place but here it blended in beautifully.

2. Yakima County, Washington

image source: Wikipedia

No, you aren't looking at an alternative to the tea party in "Alice In Wonderland!"  It may not look controversial but this gas station, shaped like a teapot, is a symbol of political scandal in the 1920s.  It was constructed in Yakima County, Washington in 1922 and is 15 feet long.  It was built as a reminder of the Teapot Dome scandal in the 1920s which involved the U.S. Secretary of the Interior fraudulently leasing out the oil reserves.  The kettle was moved to another location as a tourist attraction.

3. Palm Springs, California

Image source: Wikipedia

Now the Palm Springs Visitor Center, You can see this soaring structure of the Tramway gas station, designed by Albert Frey, at the Palm Springs Visitor Center.  It has a bold roofline and was designed to be the first structure that visitors saw as soon as they entered the modernist community.  The gas centre is a prime example of desert modernism and the building was an addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.  It has been widely viewed and commented on which doesn't surprise us.

4. Milwaukie, Oregon

Image source; Library of Congress

If you were passing this former gas station in Milwaukie, Oregon, you would probably do a double take.  After all, which building would have an authentic B-17 bomber that had been used during World War II perched on the top of it?  The unusual canopy stayed in place from 1947 to 1991, when the gas station closed its doors.  The plane was called "Lacey Lady" and it was adopted by the Bomber Restaurant which was on the same site as the station.  It was dismantled in 2014 and was taken to be restored in Aurora.

5. West Allis, Wisconsin

Image source: Flickr

If you happen to be casually driving through West Allis, Wisconsin, you might be a little surprised to see an Asian-inspired roof in a very bright and noticeable red-orange color! This unusual gas station is the work of Architect Alexander Eschweiler who was commissioned to design "something striking" in 1916.  It was actually built in 1927 and then restored in 2000.  The thought behind making it with such a vivid hue was that it would become a talking point and then, hopefully, flocks of motorists would use it.

6. Los Angeles, California

Image source: World Architects

Named Helios House, this unusual gas station in Los Angeles certainly fills the "green" specification.  It was built from recycled stainless steel and contains 90 solar panels.  The design is futuristic and energy efficient.  The excess energy that was generated from the solar panels was fed back into the power grid so everyone benefitted. The interior  utilized the natural lighting and ventilation and this also reduced energy consumption.  Lots of recycled materials were used in the construction.

7. Asmara, Eritrea

Image source: Flickr

With such a distinctive futuristic Art Deco flair, Fiat Tagliero was designed by Giuseppe Pettazzi.  As you can see, it was built to look like an airplane was taking off and that's so cool. According to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Asmara “is one of the most complete and intact collections of modernist/rationalist architecture in the world."  This contributed to it being designated in 2017 as a World Heritage Site - an honor to the designer and for the building to be so appreciated.

8. Madrid, Spain

Image source: Insider

You can find this fluid, curvilinear gas station in Madrid.  It was designed by the Spanish company Moneo Brock who were renowned architects.  They tended to design  educational and cultural buildings as well as luxury residential mansions so it was a surprise that they were chosen for this gas station.  One of the reasons might have been that they were able to put a modern interpretation to a basic building and wanted to make it look more playful.  Whatever the reason, it was met with approval by everyone concerned.

9. Nun’s Island, Quebec

Image source: Flickr

This gas station was built in 1969 and certainly grabbed attention for how modern it was.  It was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe who was best known for being a minimalist in his ideas for buildings.  He liked to use open spaces, clean lines and often used his famous phrase in his design philosophy that "less is more built."  He was a renowned architect and his peers all agreed that he was one of the pioneers of modernist architecture.  The filling station closed in 2008 and is now a community center.

10. Galanta, Slovakia

Image source: Inspiration Grid

Built in 2011, this gas station stood out from the rest because of its curved canopy and trio of large columns.  This creates a unique contrast between the kiosk and the overhang.  It was designed by Slovakia based architects Atelier SAD.  They are particularly known for their contemporary and innovative designs and this is the reason they were commissioned for this particular project.  Despite the unusual features and the fact that the gas station is a real talking point, it is completely functional.

11. Oklahoma City

Image source: Oklahoman

The quirky Pops Gas Station on the outskirts of Oklahoma City is a sight you should see if you get chance.  People go out of their way to visit it. You can't miss the giant soda bottle with a straw outside the station and when you go inside, after taking some pictures for your Instagram, there is a huge selection of soda on offer,  literally around five hundred different kinds, with some of the most unusual flavors.  In a gas station competition (yes, there are such contests), this building was runner up.

12. Batumi Petrol Station, Georgia

Image source: ArchDaily

One of the most attractive gas stations also happens to be one of the coolest McDonald’s fast food outlets there is in Georgia.  It was designed by Giorgi Khmaladze ten years ago and it is easily recognised in the town center of Batumi because of its imposing cantilevered canopy.  Car services and dining are kept separate from each other, not just physically but visually as well.  Anything to do with the fuel station and its services are hidden from view of customers who are eating in the restaurant.

13. Wissol Gas Station, Georgia

Image source: Insider

This gas station in Georgia deserves to be on our list.  It is an eye catching concrete monolith and one of the two rest stops on Highway Gori between Azerbaijan and Turkey.  None of the concrete in the making of it was prefabricated and it was constructed on site.  The station is 2000 square metres with glass windows to allow the light in.  It reveals the lush, green and mountainous view.  It was designed by German architects J Mayer and it certainly ended up being an unusual and dramatic structure.

14. Vancouver, Canada

Image source: Flickr

If you have ever walked the Coal Harbour waterfront, you will have seen the Chevron Legacy fuel barge. This is a floating gas station and it has been a local landmark for over 80 years.  The current barge was installed for the 2010 Winter Olympics.  It is totally unique as it is the last of its kind and also the only self-contained fuel station remaining in the Chevron organisation.  The name has now changed from Chevron to Parkland.  It may not be the coolest gas station but it has the best view.

15. Madrid, Spain

Image source: Reuters

This Repsol gas station in Madrid was designed in the late 1990s.  The architects were Foster and Partners and they were asked to re-invent the company’s roadside identify but they would need to be mindful that the design they created could be implemented across dozens and dozens of sites all over Spain.  The result, a modular canopy system, more than accomplished their wishes and also, just as important, provided an individual, modern touch to an otherwise very ordinary and standard structure.  Good job guys!

16. Clouquet, Minnesota

Image source: Atlas Obscura

The R.W. Lindholm Service Station is in Clouquet, Minnesota and is the only gas station to be designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  He had designed over a thousand structures during a 70 year career.  This gas station, built in 1958, had a cantilevered copper roof  and has "F.L Wright written in the roof topper, signed as if he was the artist of a valuable painting.  Mike McKinney and his family owned the statin up until 2015 and he said that Wright had "wanted to take something strictly utilitarian and treat it like a piece of art."

17. Tucson, Arizona

Image source: Library of Congress

Another Union ’76 gas station is located in Tucson.  It  was admired by John Margolies who was an architectural critic and photographer.  Margolies took a keen interest in "roadside America" and spent decades of his career documenting and celebrating the beauty of unusual, under-appreciated buildings.  You might think that's a bit strange, but next time you need to use a gas station away from where you live, maybe use Margolies' optimistic spirit and look for the beauty within.  You might just find it!

18. Konstanz, Germany

Image source: Flickr

Thinking outside the box can prove to be quite fruitful.  If you have ever been at the gas station, filling up the tank in your motor vehicle and you're thinking that you could do with a haircut, then be sure to visit this gas station in Konstanz, Germany.  It's part of a small chain of stations around the country that wanted to become more hybrid so they built in a barber shop in some of them.  It started off as a trial but quickly gathered momentum so they installed more and it continues to be successful.

19. Leicestershire, UK

Image source: Transport Beauty

The UK is far less ostentatious in its design of gas stations which they refer to as petrol stations, even if they supply diesel!  This one in Leicestershire, England was thought to be quite out there, compared to the designs of most of the others scattered around the country.  It has six over-sized canopies, circular in shape and thought to be inspired by designs from the 1960s, particularly the Red Hill Filling Station.  This particular station has been listed as Grade II as it has historic significance.

20. Copenhagen, Denmark

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Designed in 1936 by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, the Skovshoved Gas Station in Copenhagen is an example of functionalist architecture.  When it was built, consideration was given to its surroundings as it was a residential area.  This is why the station is not over the top and does not stand out too much from everything around it. The pumps are still in full use today, almost 90 years after it was built but the main structure is now something completely different - a very tasty ice cream store!

21. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Image source: Insider

Built in 1930, it doesn't take a genius to work out that a Shell distributor was responsible for this single storey gas station.  It would have easily contributed towards the organisation's advertising! In 1976, the small building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is presently owned by Preservation North Carolina.  Described as Art Deco, this design was really popular in the 1930s, with its vibrant colors, sleek lines and symmetrical facades.  These lines would have been inspired by industrial aesthetics.

22. Ukiah, California

Image source: Flickr

This unusual structure is in Ukiah, California and is hailed the “world’s largest redwood tree service station."  As there would have been little or no competition,, maybe it's not such an accolade!”  The adjoining building now serves as a museum and is made out of the stump of a 1500 year old redwood tree.  How cool is that!  Ukiah is home to various cultural places, such as art galleries, museums and historical sites. The Grace Hudson Museum displays artifacts of the 19th century artist it is named after.

23. Lawrence, Kansas

Image source: Flickr

Lawrence, Kansas once housed the “Wigwam Village” which was an eye catching gas station which had a teepee style restaurant along with cabins!  There were several "villages", created by Frank A Redford, designed to be a memorable option where travellers could stay. This structure has now been demolished .  It operated between 1950 and 1970 but the concept did leave a lasting impression of the history of the mid 20th century.  One building does remain and it is now a restaurant called Teepee Junction.

24. Matuskovo, Slovakia

Image source: Insider

You’ll find this unusual, UFO type gas station in the town of Matuškovo in Slovakia.  It has three concrete discs supported on three concrete pillars and looks very effective and pleasing to the eye of unusual gas station enthusiasts!    It has overhead lighting built into the area where the columns meet the discs.  The kiosk is made from larch and it accentuates the streamline edging.  The designers said it was no more expensive to build than a standard gas station but looked so much more interesting.

25. Seattle

Image source: PhotoHound

The Hat 'n' Boots Gas Station was built in 1954 and operated as a gas station until 1988.  It was built as part of the Premium Tex company and was designed with a small store underneath the cowboy hat.  A set of bathrooms was situated inside the boots - crazy but brilliant!  It was made to be larger than life and stood out to passing motorists on the highway nearby.  It became a loved local landmark and tourist attraction, gaining lots of visitors who would want to picnic near there and take photos.

26. Hanksville, Utah

Image source: Flickr

Yes, you guessed right first time and it's is a weird one.  This is a gas station in Southern Utah that is literally inside a mountain!  It took a while to carve out but was well worth it.  Besides the gas pumps, it boasts a convenience store and rest room!  If you are going to be passing Capitol Reef or Bullfrog Lake Powell, you must stop and check it out. Curious individuals have even driven there to experience it and nothing to do with them requiring gas! Some people are easily pleased, that's for sure!

27. Walcott, Iowa

Image source: Flickr

Take a look at this 80 Truck Stop based in Iowa.  It is often referred to as a trucker's Disneyland and has everything you could possibly need!  You aren't only stopping for gas - there is a movie theater, workout room, laundry facility, barber shop, dentist and, wait for it, dog wash station!  If you are feeling hungry, get yourself to the enormous food court or treat yourself to a meal in the 300 seater restaurant.  The facility has even been known to put on concerts and carnivals. It's got everything, and more!

28. New Braunfels, Texas

Image source: TeamBHP

This gas station is oh so much more that simply that!  Located in New Braunfels in Texas, it is is one of the world’s largest gas station.  It has 120 fuel pumps, 80, soda fountain dispensers, 1000 parking spaces and a 255 feet long car wash!  There's grab and go tex mex food and shelves crammed with snacks for the road, not to mention over 60 freezers full of goodies.  It's probably the only station where visitors take selfies with the mascot and even put it on there "places to go" bucket list!

29. View Park-Windsor Hills, Los Angeles

Image source: Sandi Hemmerlein

The United Oil at Slauson Avenue and South La Brea cannot b described as just a gas station with a car wash.  It is a Tomorrowland ride into the sky, pretty much a millennial version of Googie.   It is made to look like you have to drive up on to the roof and across the steel canopy above the gas pumps, all to get your car cleaned!  In 2009, it cost over $8 million to build, the most expensive United Oil station at that time.  The idea of the design, by architect Stephen Kanner, was to resemble a freeway ramp.

30. Bakersfield, California

Image source: Sandi Hemmerlein

If you are not sure what you are looking at, I will tell you.  It is the Blackwell's Corner General Store and Shell Station.  It can be found 50 miles northwest of Bakersfield and could have been named after the early pioneer George Blackwell.  It has become infamous for a sad reason as it was supposedly the last stop that James Dean made before he suffered a fatal car crash in Shandon, California, at the junction of Highways 41 an 46.  This building has become a bit of a tourist hot spot, understandably.