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San Francisco, 1928. "Buick sedan at Texaco service station. Jack Tar Hotel site." Now all long gone. 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size.
"kick plates." They protect the splash apron from scuffing, and you can tap the side of your shoe against the vertical part to dislodge dirt or slush. This design has a little doormat built in.
"The box Disneyland came in."
My best guess is that it's to keep your foot from hitting the body's paint job and/or keeping your dirty shoes from leaving anything somewhere more important.
For some reason, in the 1920's, gas stations and movie theatres were both lavishly constructed; so much so that it almost became legendary.
There are times when only a heartfelt "My God!" will do.
Can anybody tell me the function of that section of the running board below the driver's door?
The drum headlights mark this handsome Buick as a 1927 model. Looking good for a one year old.
Owner's initials on the passanger door. And where is the Man With The Star? Should be three, gas, tires/windshield, fluids. Visible pumps can't be seen by the invisible driver.
What would you call that? Moorish Art Deco? Spanish Mediterranean Art Deco? Man. they sure don't build them like that anymore!
The only feature that does not seem desirable is that the roofed fueling area is attached to the main structure without a solid firewall. There's a viewing window, and perhaps a door, from the main structure into the fueling bay wing. This would be problematic in case of a fire.
Other than that, today's gas station architects should sit up and take notice that a large gas station does not have to be an eyesore!
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