Texaco Service Station
201 W. Fourth Ave., Bristow, OKThe Texaco Service Station, built about 1923 on Route 66 in Bristow, Oklahoma, is historically significant as an example of an early "house with bays" service station located on the route in Oklahoma. It also is significant as an excellent example of an early Moderne style service station on Route 66. The Texaco Service Station retains a high degree of historical and architectural integrity. Contextually, the service station relates to "Commerce on Route 66 in Oklahoma (1926-1944)." The associated property type is Filling Stations, Service Stations and Garages, subtype "House with Bays."
The Texaco Service Station in Bristow is significant for its close association with the early development of the service station and Route 66. Built about 1923 at 201 West Fourth Street, the Texaco Service Station was constructed before Route 66 was designated a transcontinental thoroughfare. In 1923, Fourth Street, then known as Highway 7, was on the road heading west out of Bristow and was lined with commercial establishments, including tourist courts. In 1926, Route 66 officially was designated and in eastern Oklahoma Highway 7 was incorporated as part of the route. Route 66 was not paved in front of the Bristow Texaco Service Station until 1929.
The pumps were located on an island away from the building, which increased the traffic flow and decreased the hazards associated with having the pumps close to the office door. The large front office windows of the station were used to advertise Texaco products, such as the Texaco Fire Chief Gasoline and Golden Texaco Motor oil. A single restroom was offered by the Texaco Service Station for use by customers as well as the station operator. This restroom followed customary designs and was located on the side of the building away from the traffic, with opaque windows for light and ventilation.
The Texaco Service Station is located on a corner lot proving easy access from Route 66 as well as Elm Street, a north-South residential thoroughfare. The corner lot was a prime location for the Texaco Service Station to locate because it provided the station with visibility from a distance.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.