Sprague's Super Service - Normal, IL - Route 66
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Sprague's Super Service - Normal, IL - Route 66
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The Sprague Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, is the only Tudor Revival canopy gas station in Illinois and the largest of the three two-story service station buildings remaining on Route 66.
William Sprague, a contractor, constructed this Tudor Revival-styled building in 1931 to look like an English Manor house. The ground floor housed his service station, which sold City Service gasoline, a restaurant, and a garage. The second floor had two apartments, one for him and a smaller one for the station attendant.
In 1940, a new four-lane Route 66 was routed to the east of Normal and Bloomington, and the traffic on Pine Street dwindled. After that, the station changed hands several times and even sat vacant through much of World War II while gas and auto parts were scarce. The gas pumps were finally removed in 1979.
Renovation work began privately in 2006 and was continued by the city, which purchased the building in 2016.
Sprague's Super Service was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. Inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in 2009 and designated a local historic landmark in 2011.
Copyright 2022 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
August 3rd, 2022
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