Although I grew up traveling frequently to Mercer County, Kentucky, to visit my grandparents and other family members, it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I first rode on US 68. My mother, a native of Harrodsburg, was in a wreck on the twisting, winding road when she was in high school, and maintained an aversion to the road ever afterwards. In addition to its sometimes dangerous curves, the road laces through an incredible landscape of farms and rock fences, and one small abandoned gas station.
The view of the gas station as you approach from the Kentucky River.
The small frame structure, with a façade and posts clad in geodes, is a “house with canopy” historic gasoline station type.
This type of station was built all across the county beginning in the 1920s. In order to attract customers (and in towns, to fit into local neighborhoods), the design of the gas station resembled a small house. Standard Oil introduced a prefabricated prototype of the house with canopy type in 1916.
Looking north.
The canopy, which would have sheltered the gasoline pumps (now gone), is formed by an extension of the hipped roof.
The facade of the gas station.
The façade of the little building is just three bays wide, with a central door flanked by two large windows. A single step is located in front of the door. Exposed rafter tails are visible on the underside of the canopy.
One of the canopy support posts.
The inside of most of these early house with canopy types was simple, with an office, a supply room, and men’s and women’s restrooms.
Interior, showing the door to one of the three small rooms behind the front office.
This station follows that format, with one room in front, and three small room divisions behind it. There is a small brick flue for a stove. Years of trash and neglect are the only finishing interior touches now.
I’ve wanted to research this little filling station for years now, but innumerable distractions always detoured my intentions. Perhaps there are folks out there who remember this little building, maybe even when it was still in business, and can help tell its story.
I remember having seen it, but don’t know anything about it. I wonder if any of these buildings are being restored and saved at least for the sake of history?
I have driven by it. I love these little buildings! As a child I would daydream about living in one.
Use to love this gas station as a child when my parents would take me and my older brother to shakertown to wander through the abandoned buildings – before they moved 68. The geode veneer always reminds me of the knapped flint in England. Cant believe it is still standing. This would be an opportunity for the state/feds to do something good – rather than giving our taxes back to the 1%.
I think the stones are actually geodes. I’ve always been fascinated by them all and how cool they looked on this building.
Thank you for the story & photos if it!
We believe geodes also and would love to know the story behind using them!
I love this building. Always wondered the history of it. We have good friends that live behind this building.
I remember a visit to Shakertown…then just a series of closed up buildings…around 1948….we had a picnic on the steps of the center meeting house. The station was, I believe, open at the time, and I perhaps fanaticize when in remember that the family stopped there.
I remember seeing it open when we visited Shakertown around 1948….then just a series of shut up buildings. We picnicked on the stems of the center meeting house. I perhaps fanaticize when I remember that we stopped at the station for gas or something.
Geodes were a popular local facing material in the early 1900’s. There is a stucco craftsman house with porch and foundation faced with geodes in Danville at 346 Wilderness road. Quite attractive. I could not post picture. I believe my great grandfather built it.
Have loved this old filling station since I first saw it in the early 60. Have made many trips to Pleasant Hill more then I can count because my mother worked there from the start of the renovation. Even remember when the gas pumps where still there. It has been on my mind lately and was planing on a trip to take some pictures before it’s totally deteriorated. I have a friend that lives in Lexington who’s house is made of geodes its on West Hight St its a small cottage on a busy street and most people pass by without noticing it. I believe it was build in the 20s.
Thank for posting this JR hope you and the family are doing well.
What was the brand? Anyone remember? Thanks.