Route 66 Gas Station - Standard Oil, Retro, Art for Walls, Blue, Cream, Sunset, Illinois, Route 66, Gift for Men, Photo Print, Canvas, Metal

Driving south along Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis, I was soaking in every inch of Americana along the Mother Road. Every small town, every neon sign, and every abandoned building seemed to whisper stories of days gone by. But it was when I pulled into Odell, Illinois, that I stumbled upon a relic that seemed almost frozen in time—the 1932 Standard Oil gas station, standing proudly by the road.

This wasn’t just any old service station. Back in the day, it was a lifeline for travelers and locals alike, offering not just gas but a place to rest, chat, and maybe grab a cold drink. Built during the Great Depression, this Standard Oil station served thousands of cars as they journeyed Route 66, the main artery of America. Years later, after being abandoned and almost forgotten, it was restored by preservationists who recognized its historical value. Today, it’s a landmark, an icon of the open road, and a reminder of the adventurous spirit that defines Route 66.

As I pulled up, the sun was sinking lower in the sky, casting a warm golden light that wrapped around the old station, giving it a glow that felt almost magical. The white shingles and blue trim on the front of the station gleamed softly, and the sky behind it shifted into hues of orange and pink, merging with the quiet evening sky. It was as if the station itself was sighing into the dusk, holding its own against the passage of time.

Standing there, I felt the quiet of the evening setting in. The sound of a distant train echoed softly through the fields, blending with the occasional whoosh of a car on the road. A light breeze stirred, carrying with it the earthy scent of freshly cut grass and cornfields nearby. There was a stillness here, a peaceful solitude that seemed to settle in my bones. It was the kind of moment where you feel like you’re part of something timeless, something bigger than yourself.

The gravel crunched under my feet as I walked around, looking for the perfect angle to capture the station. The vintage red gas pump stood like a sentinel at the entrance, its paint chipped and faded but standing proud. I imagined the sound of an old car pulling up, tires rolling over the gravel, the ding of the service bell as the attendant stepped out with a rag in his hand, ready to fill the tank and wash the windshield.
As the sun dipped further, the colors in the sky deepened, casting a soft glow over the landscape and turning the station into a silhouette against the glowing horizon. I lifted my camera, framing the scene, and pressed the shutter, capturing a piece of history bathed in evening light.

This moment, here on old Route 66 in Odell, was more than just a photo opportunity. It was a pause, a step back in time to when the road was more than just a path—it was a journey. And standing there, with the sounds of the quiet town around me, the earthy smell of the fields, and the sky painted in twilight hues, I felt connected to every traveler who’d stopped here, refueled, and continued down the Mother Road, guided by the promise of the unknown.

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Production and Shipping Time: 5-7 business days

Premium Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

There are 5 ways to print these images.

1) Premium Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints.
Sharp, Vivid and rich Color sets this apart from a casual photo print.
You'll feel like you're there.
Premium Photo Paper will last a long time.
This option is available in 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches, 16x20 inches or 24x36.
They are designed to be placed in a glass frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local Target or online.)

2) Ready to Hang Canvas are ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required. Ultimate convenience.
Gorgeous finished look. It comes out of the shipping box finished and ready to hang with a simple nail in the wall.
Canvas Prints are a well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs.
0.75 or 1.5 inch thick (depending on which size that you order) wooden stretcher-bars that give it shape, in the same way an oil painting is traditionally assembled. There are no staples or ugly lines visible on the sides (very important.)
Estimated delivery time for printing, assembling, packing and shipping is around 10 days.

3) Ready to Hang Canvas (split into 3 panels)
This is for larger pieces, and the photograph is split into 3 even panels, 3 separate canvas panels which together make a single large image.
This gives a modern look, and allows spectacularly large sizes on your wall!

4) Aluminum Metal Prints
Create elegant wall decor that shines with high-end, exclusive and unique aluminum metal prints.
Create a polished addition to any home or office. 3/64" thick aluminum panel. Features a glossy coating and rounded edges.
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box.

5) Acrylic Prints
Create eye-catching home decor with modern acrylic prints. Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth to your photos. The 1/8" thick, clear acrylic produces superb image quality from edge to edge and absolutely stunning, brilliant color!
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All acrylic sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box