Tramway Gas Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Tramway Gas Station
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Palm Springs Visitor Center, 2014
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| Location | 2901 North Palm Canyon Palm Springs, California United States |
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| Built | 1965 |
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| Architectural style | Desert modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000645 |
| Added to NRHP | September 28, 2015 |
The Tramway Gas Station is a famous old building in Palm Springs, California, United States. It got its name because it's located right at the start of Tramway Road. This road leads to the base of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The building was designed to be the very first thing visitors would see when they arrived in Palm Springs from the north.
A Unique Building in Palm Springs
Designed to Stand Out
This special building was constructed in 1965. It was designed by two architects, Albert Frey and Robson C. Chambers. The building is known for its very unique roof, which looks like a wedge or a giant, curved wing. This type of roof is called a "cantilevered, wedge-shaped canopy." On a sign at the building, it's described as a "hyperbolic paraboloid," which is a fancy name for its curved shape.
The Tramway Gas Station is a great example of "modernist architecture." This style of building uses new ideas and materials. It often has clean lines and interesting shapes.
From Gas Station to Visitor Center
The building used to be an Enco gas station. But by the mid-1990s, it closed down. For a while, people weren't sure what would happen to the unique building.
Then, a private group bought it. They turned it into an art gallery. In 2015, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site that should be protected. Today, the building is used by the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. It serves as the Palm Springs Visitor Center. Here, people can get information about visiting Palm Springs.
