Ancient temple ruins, South Carolina style, preside over the crossroads town of Olar, which is on the way to just about anywhere. Obviously, however, "on the way" has been the operative phrase for more than a few years now. Those who stop are few and far between these days.
Even though we are now an interstate-addicted nation, those backroads still live as reminders of who we used to be, back when a hundred miles took a while, and mothers packed pimiento cheese sandwiches and thermoses of sweet tea for the trip - unless of course one knew of a place such as this, where a drink box held cold soft drinks, and the man who pumped the gas threw in an oil check and a tire pressure check and a cleaned windshield for free.
Looking at these abandoned sites today, it’s interesting to note that most all of the oil companies at least made an architectural stab at it. Even if their aim was a little off, clearly there were hearts in the right place.
Case in point, there was a lovely old Spanish-style gas station in my hometown here in North Carolina featuring a nice tile roof and large arched windows. The place unfortunately found itself living too close to the DOT right of way and was slated for demolition due to a road-widening project. With a bit of effort, DOT was finally persuaded to allow a local business owner to move the structure to a new, safe spot, and as a result, it now lives on as a neighborhood barber shop.
We should do more of that - saving, respecting, repurposing. In my experience, the increase in up-front costs is far outweighed by the return on investment once a project is completed.
And those potential projects are abundant - lining the streets of our towns and the sides of our two-lane blacktops. They face the world in faded clothing that hides what they once were and could become again.
For better or worse, times change and always will, but every now and then, a nice long drive down a backroad can’t help but reveal a few of these places. Next time you find yourself straying from the Interstate, slow down and have a look for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
Photo by Beth Yarbrough.
There are a few “upcycle” gas stations on Amelia island. Both are restaurants. Menus list our favorites. Hand patted cheeseburgers, home cut fries, and Glorious milkshakes.
There is a similar old gas station in High Point that has been converted into a storefront showroom during the High Point Furniture Market each April and October. I can imagine that as a library outpost, an after-school tutoring spot, an Ag Extension outpost, a coffee kiosk, even somebody's tiny house. Imagine the fabulous garden they could put around it once the concrete were gone.