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4.5
60 votes

Ambler's Texaco Gas Station

W Waupansie St, Dwight, Illinois 60420 USA

Free
Free to Visit
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    not Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“one of the oldest continuously operating service stations on the Mother Road”

Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station, also known as Vernon’s Texaco Station and Becker’s Marathon Gas Station, is located along historic Route 66 in the Village of Dwight. The station gets its name from longtime manager Basil “Tubby” Ambler, who operated the station from 1938 to 1966.  The original 1933 building Jack Shore built consisted of an office with wood clapboard siding, an arched roof with asphalt shingles, and residential windows adorned with shutters and flower boxes. Extending out from the office over three Texaco gas pumps was a sheltering canopy supported by two tapered columns.  Mr. Shore also constructed an ice house located on the property.   The station’s design, with its cottage look, may strike the contemporary traveler as quaint--or perhaps even odd. Why, after all, shouldn’t a gas station look like a gas station? But this domestic style, common along Route 66, had a distinct purpose and stems from a time in the early 20th century when gas stations were just beginning to seriously intrude upon the suburban landscape of America. The oil companies wisely opted to tread lightly on this new, non-commercial territory. Gas stations were consciously styled to be homey and inviting to customers, as well as inconspicuous in their new residential, suburban surroundings. In the early 1940s, following a national trend that saw gas stations evolve to full service garages, Mr. Ambler added a service bay of simple concrete block to the north side of the original building. Although he left the station in 1966, the station continued servicing motorists until nearly the turn of the 21st century, making it one of the oldest continually operated service stations along the Mother Road. 

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Reviewed by
Austin Coop

  • 485 Reviews
  • 505 Helpful
July 20, 2014
Rated 4.0

If you're traveling Route 66 in an old car, this is another great spot to get a vintage-feeling photo. Beautifully restored and maintained.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Tatiana Danger

  • Road Warrior
  • 1,169 Reviews
  • 910 Helpful
September 07, 2014
Rated 4.0

I took my son on a tour of Route 66 in August of 2014, and after stopping at Dell Rhea's chicken basket, this was our first roadside attraction. It's actually really cool. Route 66 is covered in old-school abandoned gas stations, some restored for photo-ops like this one, and others just sadly abandoned and deteriorating.

This was a fantastic little stop for us. My 9-month old son had a little toy car that I sat him on and we took a photo in front of the pumps. He loved it.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
robmccauley

  • 58 Reviews
  • 6 Helpful
August 15, 2021
Rated 5.0

Very comprehensive setup. Lots of stuff to check out and take pictures of. There was a nice volunteer to answer questions and show you around. So cool that it has a Tesla charging station in the parking lot too 😎

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Rich Maypark

  • 8 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
September 18, 2021
Rated 5.0

This is a must see

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Reviewed by
Maikolo

  • 24 Reviews
  • 13 Helpful
May 23, 2017
Rated 5.0

Great restoration on this Texaco Gas Station! Various different photo ops here. They have a cool vintage inspired billboard outside that helps this gas station stand out from the rest. Also, they have Electric Parking! Who has that! Nobody but Ambler's. They do a wonderful job catering to the Route 66 traveler. Don't miss it!

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Reviewed by
Altchar

  • 10 Reviews
  • 3 Helpful
April 22, 2017
Rated 4.0

Now a welcome station, opens for the season on May 6. Nice for photos and an easy drive by.

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Ambler's Texaco Gas Station

W Waupansie St
Dwight, Illinois
60420 USA
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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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    Outdoor Seating
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