Restored Shell Service Station

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The Shell Service Station is a former filling station constructed in 1930 following a decision in the 1920s by the new local shell distributor, Quality Oil Company, to bring brand awareness to the market in Winston-Salem.  The building is an example of representational or novelty architecture and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 13, 1976.  It is located in the Waughtown-Belview Historic District at the corner of Sprague and Peachtree Streets. The station is the only one to survive today from a total of eight built in the Winston-Salem area and was built by Frank L. Blum & Co. 

This single-story Shell station, in the shape of a giant scallop shell, was built by R.H. Burton and his son, Ralph, in 1930.  The owners of the oil company decided to attract customers through a series of shell-shaped service stations.  Preservation North Carolina, an organization dedicated to the preservation of historic sites, spent one year and $50,000 to bring the landmark station back to its original condition.  Workers removed layers of faded yellow paint to reveal the Shell's original yellow-orange color.  The original front door was repaired and a crack fixed that had been preciously sealed with nothing more than black tar.  The wooden, trellised shelter that houses the car wash and alllowed cards to be washed and/or serviced in the shade was reconstructed, as well.  Quality Oil Company donated restored gas pumps and replica lamp posts to help finish off the restoration.  The landmark now serves as a museum for Preservation North Carolina. 

Sidenote:  While spending winters in North Carolina, Bill and I traveled to Winston-Salem to see this unique Shell service station. It is a shame the other seven unique Shell stations weren't restored throughout the Winston-Salem area.