Soulsby Service Station

Location Details

The Soulsby Service Station is located at 710 W 1st S St, Mt Olive, IL 62069. It sits on the southwest corner of Old Route 66 and West 1st South Street on the western edge of town.

As the oldest usable service station on Route 66 in Illinois, this beautifully restored historic site operates as a free, self-guided visitor center and museum.

Key Visitor Details

• Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Admission: Free. Donations are accepted by local volunteers to maintain the property.

• What to See: The station features a classic "house and canopy" design, a vintage car repair ramp, sunshine-yellow Shell gas pumps, and a small interior museum filled with Route 66 memorabilia and historical artifacts.

• Self-Service Stamp: If you participate in the Illinois Route 66 Passport Program, the passport stamp is located on-site as a self-service feature.

Historical Background

• Built in 1926 by Irish immigrant Henry Soulsby, the station originally sat on Illinois State Highway 126 before the official realignment of Route 66 passed directly in front of the business in 1930. The station was operated continuously by the Soulsby family for 65 years until it stopped pumping gas in 1991. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 following a massive preservation effort by local volunteers.