Dixie Highway Gas Station Nominated For Historic Registry

[ypsi-slim]

From bgdailynews.com:

 

Station nominated for historic registry

Site illustrates U.S 31-W importance during past

 

By ROBYN L. MINOR, The Daily News

Monday, May 17, 2010 11:42 AM CDT

 

My link *See site for picture

 

The Kentucky Heritage Council last week approved the nomination of the Standard Company Filling

Station in Bowling Green to the National Register of Historic Places.

 

The nomination will be forwarded to the National Park Service in Washington for consideration.

 

“We have to get the paperwork together and that will probably be a couple of weeks,” said

Diane Comer, a spokeswoman for the council. “From there, they will have 45 days to make a decision.”

 

The recommendation dovetails nicely with Historic Preservation Month, according to Miranda Clements,

director of Warren County Historic Preservation Board.

 

Clements said the nomination is a chance to capitalize on Bowling Green’s automobile history and

present and future.

 

The station, adjacent to Circus Square and now restored as restrooms for the park, was built in

response to automobile tourism on U.S. 31-W, also known as Dixie Highway.

 

“The building was constructed in 1921 after the highway opened in 1920,” Clements said. “It is

the best example of a restored domestic style filling station.”

 

Before such facilities were constructed, gasoline was sold curbside and before that at a

manufacturing plant on the edge of town.

 

“It wasn’t very safe or clean,” Clements said.

 

Clements said the Standard Oil station is one of the few around the state that has been restored

to the degree this one has.

 

“The renovations ... and pumps were based on a photograph from 1921,” she said. “It is pretty

much exactly like it was.”

 

Clements said properties listed on the National Register are recognized for their worthiness of

being preserved.

 

“It’s an honor to be listed,” she said.

 

While this building has already been restored, other buildings already on the register can be

eligible for tax credits to help with work.

 

The Standard Oil station is nearby other historic districts, including Shake Rag and the Modern

Automobile District, which includes the Galloway Building that houses Booth Fire and Safety.

 

“The importance of the Dixie Highway in terms of commercial development and tourism is something

that should be remembered,” Clements said. “There is an opportunity to capitalize on it like they

have with (Route) 66 out West. We already have a number of people who come here with their antique

cars to take pictures there.

 

“There are other little gas stations around that are still worth preserving and taking advantage of.”

[DennyG]

I had a brief look at the station in March. It was closed so I can't say how well it functions as park restrooms but it definitely looks good as a restored gas station. I can't imagine they'll have much difficulty getting on the registry.