Pure Oil Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pure Oil Station
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Pure Oil Station in October 2013
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 502 W. State St., Geneva, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | Carl August Petersen |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000186 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 2013 |
The Pure Oil Station in Geneva, Illinois, used to be a gas station for the Pure Oil Company. This old building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 23, 2013. This list recognizes important historical places across the United States.
Contents
What is the Pure Oil Station?
The Pure Oil Station in Geneva, Illinois, was built in 1937. It stands on Illinois Route 38 (West State Street) where it meets Fifth Street. This building is a great example of how gas stations used to look.
How Gas Stations Changed Over Time
Before the 1920s, gas stations were often seen as messy and dangerous places. People usually kept them far away from homes. The Pure Oil Company helped change this idea. They made gas stations that looked nice and fit into neighborhoods.
Who Designed the Pure Oil Stations?
Pure Oil came up with a special design for their stations. It was in the Tudor Revival style, which looked like old English cottages. This design became their company trademark in 1927. Carl August Petersen, who was the Chief Engineer for Pure Oil, created this popular design. His design was used for many Pure Oil stations all over the country.
Architecture and Design of the Station
The Pure Oil Station in Geneva has a unique look. Its main front faces Illinois Route 38. The side of the building faces South Fifth Street.
What Materials Were Used?
The outside of the building is made of brick, painted white. The bricks are laid in a special way called "skintled." This means some bricks stick out a little, giving the wall a textured look.
Roof Style and Features
Most of the building has a steeply sloped roof. This roof is covered with blue terra cotta tiles, which are a type of ceramic tile. A flat roof covers the back part of the service bays. This flat roof is mostly hidden by the sloped roof.
Special Details of the Building
You can see three brick chimneys on the ends of the sloped roofs. Two of these chimneys have a large metal letter "P" on them. This "P" is painted white and was a symbol for the Pure Oil Company.
