Michael SatterfieldI still don’t know what it is about an old gas pump, but I have always been drawn to these unique bits of both industrial and advertising history. While most are lost to time or sit in private collections, in the late 70s and 80s, many abandoned gas stations still had their petroliana intact. Thankfully, photographer John Margolies, most known for documenting America’s mimetic architecture, also loved to take pictures of old gas pumps. From 1977 to 1982, he crisscrossed the country on long road trips, taking his 35mm camera with him. His work documenting roadside attractions is credited with recognizing buildings that would be added to the National Register of Historic Places through his documentary work.
Enjoy More Gas Pump Photos Below:
Ridge Manor, Florida
Esso, Danville, Arkansas
Amoco (hollow wreck 1), Hardy, Arkansas
Amoco (wreck two), Rt. 62, Hardy, Arkansas
Two Texaco pumps, Red Star Filling Station, Marietta, Ohio
Old pump, Rt 40, Victoria, Kansas
Silver pump, Dunkirk, Montana
Conoco pump, Rt 34, Utica, Nebraska
Old clockface pump, Wauneta, Nebraska
Rt.441, Seymour, Tennessee
Malco, Rt. 285, Carlsbad, New Mexico
Sinclair, Main St., Pocatello, Idaho
Two red gas pumps, Rt. 89, Wilhoit, Arizona
Gas pump mailbox, Tiny’s Garage, Rt. 809, Demopolis, Alabama
Coastal pump (Dino), Rt. 80, Selma, Alabama
Coastal pump (100 Octane), Rt. 80, Selma, Alabama
Amoco, Rt. 59, Seneca, South Carolina
Sinclair, Rt. 49, Haw River, North Carolina
Golden Eagle (#2), San Diego, California
Three Texaco gas pumps, Altadena, California
Chevron, Jim Ruth Chevrolet, Home Gardens, California
Five Golden Eagle gas pumps (#2), San Diego, California
Standard, Rt. 12, Watauga, South Dakota
Visible pump, Birch Tree, Missouri
Visible Pump Syracuse, Missouri
Mount Vernon, Missouri
Sunoco, Mount Carmel, Indiana
Gas pumps, Indianapolis, Indiana
Two Texaco pumps, Rt. 1, Dumfries, Virginia
Amoco gas pumps, Lexington, Virginia
Fina, Kingsland, Georgia
Amoco, Thomasville, Georgia
Harbor Beach, Michigan
Gulf, South Newberry, New Hampshire
Photos by John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive (1972-2008), Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
