The Barnsdall-Rio Grande gas station in Goleta, CA, is a distinguished and unique landmark that serves as a reminder of a simpler time. Built in 1929, this Spanish colonial revival architecture structure stands 40 feet high with white plaster walls, blue and white ceramic tiles, and a red mission roof, making it a showpiece among the plain and unattractive filling stations of its time.
Located beside the once-booming Ellwood oil field, the Barnsdall-Rio Grande gas station was a major player in the oil industry, yielding over 100 million barrels of oil in its three-decade operation. Despite years of neglect, the station's elegant design still shines through, and it has even been featured in a movie. While there have been talks of restoring the building, its future remains uncertain, making it a piece of Goleta history that may soon be lost.
Generated from the website
