Dwight, IL: Ambler's Texaco Station

Ambler's Texaco Station was built in 1933 by Jack Shore. It featured the common architectural gas station design know as the "house and canopy" or domestic style.



The filling station had many owners over the years, but the most prominent one remains Basil "Tubby" Ambler who owned and operated the station between 1938-1966. Today the station is still refered to as the "Ambler's Texaco Station."



Even with that, the Station is also known as Becker's Marathon Gas Station when Phil Becker took over in 1970. For 26 years, Becker and his wife Debbie operated the station. In 1996, the couple leased the building to an auto repair business.



The station last dispensed gasoline in 1999 and was the longest operating gas station along the Route.



The building was donated to the village of Dwight. It took between to 2005-2007 for the station to be restored to its 1940s look. The station was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 2001. Today, it serves as a welcome center to travelers on the Route.

Prelude

As a child, I grew up seeing the "Historic Route 66" signs up around town. I would ask my dad, "What was that?" He would often reply, "Oh, it's just an old road." I never really thought much more of it. Eventually I moved away from the old road. It was out of my sight and thoughts.



But it wasn't until recently, that the interest took shape once again. I had just started at Loyola University and frankly I became a little overwhelmed. I needed to get away. I hopped in the car and drove south. As I breezed past the numerous cornfields that helped to clear my head, I stumbled past the town of Gardner, IL. I knew I was far from home, but then another curious thing happened: I came across a "Historic Route 66" sign. So on a whim, I followed it. It led me through the towns of Odell and Pontiac. My first photo opportunity came by the way of the Odell Standard Oil station. Unfortunately, it was time to go. But that short trip re-sparked an interest in the Old Road. Ever since that day, I try to go down there as often as possible. As a result, I have decided to document my travels and dedicate this blog to the Historic Route 66.