“A Shell shaped like a shell”
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 '30s. 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 for Preservation North Carolina.
Very interesting. Agreed very sketchy area. Passed an old Lincoln with 'Louis Voutin' spray painted on side! Shell wasn't as big we expected but still cool photo op...from the safety of your car! Ha! ;-)
The legends are true, it really is a giant shell. Awesome pitstop adventure. Protip, GPS is wasn't right so head to the corner of Peachtree and Sprague and you can't miss it.
That's what it is a big yellow shell. We didn't really stop. Took the picture from the car and left.
I love the restoration and preservation of iconic items from the past. BTW, I'm calling out the reference to the area being "sketchy."
I ain’t there. What the shell???
Cute photo op. Very sketchy area.
It was a cute photo-op, but somewhat off the beaten path, and the neighborhood was not..."as well maintained" as the station itself. There was nothing there but the station, so don't expect to make a comfort stop. There were no restrooms, clean, dirty, or otherwise.
Very cool old gas station. If you're a fan of silly roadside attractions for a photo op, you'll like this.
Thanks for the tip on the GPS location being off. It is indeed at Peachtree and E Sprague. Exit 195. It is a sketchy area so didn't unload all the kids for a photo... just did a quick drive by. If you follow Peachtree North to left on Waugton, there is a giant Bull on top of a building on the right before you reach 52, that is just as cool.
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Shell Shaped Gas Station
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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