“since the 1920s”
Built in the 1920s, the Magnolia Service Station served
gasoline to Route 66 travelers and the community of
Vega, Texas for decades. The building was constructed
with two stories to allow the station’s operator to live in
the upstairs quarters. Locals fondly remember getting
their haircut in the building when it also provided
barber services in later years.
With the coming of Interstate- 40 in the 1970s, the
business closed its doors and stood vacant for three
decades. Despite its dilapidated appearance, the City
of Vega recognized the significance and value of the
building to Route 66 and the Vega community. In 2001,
the City applied to the National Park Service Route 66
Corridor Preservation Program for a cost- share grant
to rehabilitate the building for use as a visitor center.
With an award of $50,000, the city went to work
utilizing local area contractors to reconstruct the
canopy and replace the doors, windows, roof and stucco.
The project was not without its challenges, but
through commitment and flexibility, the city and its
dedicated volunteers persevered. For example,
through collaboration with the Texas Department of
Transportation and the Texas State Historical
Commission, creative solutions were found to
reconstruct the canopy to closely match its historic
appearance, while accommodating size and clearance
issues relating to the current road easement regulations.
The station rehabilitation was completed and
dedicated in August 2004, and has since been attracting
numerous visitors to the Vega community. The
Oldham County Chamber of Commerce has placed a
good display of historic photographs, gas station
artifacts, and oral histories inside the station for
visitors and locals to enjoy.
Quick off the highway photo stop. Nostalgic snd meaningful. Kids loved it and we took a bunch of pictures there. ❤️
A cute little abandoned gas station in small town Texas.
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Magnolia Gas Station
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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