Magnolia Gas Station

Built in the 1920s, the Magnolia Service Station served gasoline to Route 66 travelers and the community of Vega, Texas for decades. The building was constructed with two stories to allow the station’s operator to live in the upstairs quarters. Locals fondly remember getting their haircut in the building when it also provided barber services in later years.

With the coming of Interstate- 40 in the 1970s, the business closed its doors and stood vacant for three decades. Despite its dilapidated appearance, the City of Vega recognized the significance and value of the building to Route 66 and the Vega community. In 2001, the City applied to the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for a cost- share grant to rehabilitate the building for use as a visitor center.

With an award of $50,000, the city went to work utilizing local area contractors to reconstruct the canopy and replace the doors, windows, roof and stucco. The project was not without its challenges, but through commitment and flexibility, the city and its dedicated volunteers persevered. For example, through collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas State Historical Commission, creative solutions were found to reconstruct the canopy to closely match its historic appearance, while accommodating size and clearance issues relating to the current road easement regulations.

The station rehabilitation was completed and dedicated in August 2004, and has since been attracting numerous visitors to the Vega community. The Oldham County Chamber of Commerce has placed a good display of historic photographs, gas station artifacts, and oral histories inside the station for visitors and locals to enjoy.