Conoco Tower Station - Route 66 - Shamrock Texas Canvas Print

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Located at the corner of historic Route 66 and US Highway 84 in Shamrock, Texas, is the iconic Conoco Tower Station and U Drop Inn Cafe. This magnificent Art Deco structure is one of the most imposing and architecturally creative buildings along the entire length of Route 66.

The building, constructed in 1936 for $23,000, was born from a sketch made with a nail in the dirt. It was the only business in town right on the Mother Road when Route 66 came through a year later. Business boomed. The service station, dominated by the 100-foot obelisk advertising Conoco, was visible from long distances during the day and at night; the building, decked in neon, glowed like a beacon to weary travelers.

The service station was quickly nicknamed the Tower Station because of its imposing tower, while the diner was named the U Drop Inn by an 8-year-old boy who won the business naming contest. It was the only roadside restaurant for hundreds of miles in either direction when Route 66 fi...

I'm a travel photographer that enjoys photographing United States architecture, nature, and transportation. As the 8th photographer in 4 generations of my family, I don't remember a time when photography was not part of my life. By the time I was five years old, I was standing on a stool in the darkroom, helping my dad develop pictures. It was my job to transfer the photos from the hypo to the water bath. I went to college for interior design. After I graduated, I had a long successful career as an art buyer and designer for a large home furnishings company. In 2006, I had a significant life change. My husband became a medical traveler, and I decided to put my career on hold to tag along. In the process, I found my roots again. What...