Gas Stations - Old and New - on Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma

While driving west on the remnants of the historic and fabled route 66 in Okalahoma, I stumbled upon this old stone structure that was once a gas station. The folks that own the land (a ranch) now, have preserved it in this condition and even placed a letter on the front explaining the history of the station as best they can.

I'll slam on the brakes and skid across the road to explore places like this. This would have operated in the 1940s with travellers coming from as far away as Chicago and going as far as California. Think Andy Griffith and Goober the gas station attendant from the Mayberry, sitting outside waiting for customers needing fuel or oil hand pumped from huge drums.

Now fast forward many years but only a few miles down the road to what I call the Gas Station of the Future. This thing is so clean and beautiful. The mystery of the old station is what happened to it to let it die? The mystery of this one is why someone would build something so clean, modern and european east of Oklahoma city surrounded by corn fields.

I didn't go in.. I thought maybe I'd get stuck in the future never to return like some bad TV show.