We introduced you to the newest neighbor in the historic community in our recent blog, The New Nostalgic. That Mid-Century Modern era. We open our arms, give a warm welcome, and even invite a good old fashioned block party to celebrate its acceptance among the other historic greats — Greek Revivals, Queen Annes, Craftsman, and all the other magnificent examples of architecture of the past. This lovely, newly recognized era has been lingering nearby for over half a century without a second thought to its place in history. It’s now an accepted fact that the brick ranch of the 1950s and early 1960s is hip and relevant to a new generation of homeowners. “Retro” is all the rage.
Who doesn’t love a flaring hoop skirt complete with an ironed on poodle? Ribbon adorned ponytails and rolled white cotton tees? Just imagine June Cleaver in her heels and pearls picking up her black shiny rotary phone to call Ward to ask him to pick up a couple pounds of flour on the way home. Ward hops in his Ford Fairlane and with the biggest 1950-something smile that a well-suited man can muster he heads off towards the A&P. However first he has to stop for gas. Yeah, you can see it. A rounded glass-walled Phillips 66, with a roof on it that resembles a space ship. Some overly mannered young man just waiting to clean the windows while the car fills with gas.
In our last blog, we created a great list of places worth saving. Some of them surprising, it’s the reuse part that really gets fun. Right here in Missouri we have some of the most fantastic examples of Mid Century Modern gas station reuse. Some of them only exist today because of dedicated grass roots movements to keep them from demolition. No, they are no longer a fuel stop, they have become way more fun! Ice cream shops, café’s and BBQ joints, just to name a few.
Next time you’re out and about be sure to stop by one of these former pit stops for a snack stop!
The Filling Station BBQ — Lee’s Summit, MO
Andy’s Frozen Custard — Columbia, MO
We would love to hear from you! What would you do with a blast from the past filling station?
Next…Schools. How learning theories and the political environment affected design and what are we doing with our empty past homes of education.
Audrey Elder
Past to Present Research LLC 