Shell Service Station (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Shell Service Station
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
This Shell Service Station is the only one to survive today from a total of eight built in the Winston-Salem area
|
|
 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Sprague and Peachtree Sts., NW, Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1930 |
| Built by | Blum, Frank L.,& Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001322 |
| Added to NRHP | May 13, 1976 |
The Shell Service Station in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, was a filling station constructed in 1930 following a decision in the 1920s by the new local Shell distributor, Quality Oil Co., to bring brand awareness to the market in Winston-Salem. The building is an example of representational or novelty architecture and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 13, 1976. It is located in the Waughtown-Belview Historic District.
History
This single-story Shell station, in the shape of a giant scallop shell, was built by R.H. Burton and his son, Ralph, in 1930 at Sprague and Peachtree Streets in Winston-Salem. The owners of the oil company decided to attract customers through a series of shell-shaped service stations. They built at least eight in the Winston-Salem area, but the station at Sprague and Peachtree is the only one remaining. The Shell station speaks to the literalism prevalent in some advertising during the 1920s and 1930s.
Preservation
Preservation North Carolina, an organization dedicated to the preservation of historic sites, spent one year and $50,000 to bring the landmark station back to its original condition. Workers removed layers of faded yellow paint to reveal the Shell's original yellow-orange color. The original front door was repaired and a crack fixed that had been previously sealed with nothing more than black tar. The wooden, trellised shelter that housed the car wash and allowed cars to be washed and/or serviced in the shade was reconstructed as well. The oil company donated restored gas pumps and replica lamp posts to help finish off the restoration. The landmark now serves as a satellite office and a museum for Preservation North Carolina.
