I don't know what it is about old gas pumps, 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, who is most known for his work documenting America's mimetic architecture, also loved to take pictures of old gas pumps. From 1977-1982 he crisscrossed the country on long road trips taking with him his 35mm camera. 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.
Gas pump, Ridge Manor, Florida
Esso pump, Danville, Arkansas
Amoco pump (hollow wreck 1), Hardy, Arkansas
Amoco gas pump (wreck two), Rt. 62, Hardy, Arkansas
Two Texaco pumps, Red Star Filling Station, Marietta, Ohio
Old gas pump, Rt 40, Victoria, Kansas
Silver gas pump, Dunkirk, Montana
Conoco gas pump, Rt 34, Utica, Nebraska
Old clockface gas pump, Wauneta, Nebraska
Gas pump, Rt.441, Seymour, Tennessee
Malco gas pump, Rt. 285, Carlsbad, New Mexico
Sinclair gas pump, Main St., Pocatello, Idaho
Two red gas pumps, Rt. 89, Wilhoit, Arizona
Gas pump mailbox, Tiny's Garage, Rt. 809, Demopolis, Alabama
Coastal gas pump (Dino), Rt. 80, Selma, Alabama
Coastal gas pump (100 Octane), Rt. 80, Selma, Alabama
Amoco gas pumps, Rt. 59, Seneca, South Carolina
Sinclair gas pump, Rt. 49, Haw River, North Carolina
Golden Eagle gas pump (#2), San Diego, California
Three Texaco gas pumps, Altadena, California
Chevron gas pump, Jim Ruth Chevrolet, Home Gardens, California
Five Golden Eagle gas pumps (#2), San Diego, California
Standard gas pumps, Rt. 12, Watauga, South Dakota
Visible gas pump, Birch Tree, Missouri
Visible gas pump, Syracuse, Missouri
Gas pump, Mount Vernon, Missouri
Sunoco gas pump, Mount Carmel, Indiana
Gas pumps, Indianapolis, Indiana
Two Texaco pumps, Rt. 1, Dumfries, Virginia
Amoco gas pumps, Lexington, Virginia
Fina gas pump, Kingsland, Georgia
Amoco gas pump, Thomasville, Georgia
Gas pump, Harbor Beach, Michigan
Gulf gas pump, South Newberry, New Hampshire
Photos by John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive (1972-2008), Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
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