Standard Oil of Illinois Gas Station
Route 66 Association of Illinois
Route 66 Road Map page
The Historical Marker Database page
Historic Structures website article
Location Details
The historic Standard Oil of Illinois Gas Station is located at 400 S West St, Odell, IL 60460. Built along the historic cross-country corridor of U.S. Route 66, this beautifully restored landmark serves as an essential roadside attraction and visitor welcome center for travelers exploring the Mother Road.
Architectural Highlights
Domestic Design: Built in 1932 by contractor Patrick O'Donnell, the station utilizes a 1916 "house-with-canopy" style meant to seamlessly blend into residential neighborhoods.
Shingle Siding: It is the only surviving station along the entirety of Route 66 that retains its original shingle siding material.
Commercial Additions: A brick chimney, a steeply pitched roof, and a prominent front porch define the main building, while a two-bay auto repair garage was later added in the late 1940s to keep up with commercial demand.
Historical Timeline
1932: Patrick O'Donnell purchases the property to build and lease the station to his son.
1940s–1960s: The station shifts brands over time, selling Standard Oil, Phillips 66, and Sinclair products.
1975–1979: Fuel sales cease in the 1960s, but it stays afloat as an auto body shop until closing its doors permanently in the late 1970s.1997: The station is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
2002: Following a collaborative restoration by the Illinois Route 66 Association and the Village of Odell, it wins the National Historic Route 66 Federation Cyrus Avery Award for outstanding preservation.
Visitor Information
Amenities: Travelers can explore a vintage 1952 travel camper, view an old-fashioned gravity-flow gas pump, sign the global guestbook, and purchase Route 66 merchandise.
After-Hours Audio: If you visit outside of normal operating hours, the exterior features a push-button digital audio box that plays recorded historic facts about the site.
Nearby Landmark: Just down the road, you can spot the marker for the historic Odell Subway Tunnel. Built in 1937, this underground passage allowed schoolchildren to safely cross beneath the incredibly chaotic Route 66 traffic during its peak era.
