The historic Twin Oaks Gas for Less sign along the Old Chain of Rocks Road, aka Route 66, in Granite City was damaged apparently by the series of severe storms that ravaged the St. Louis area about 10 days ago.
The gas station itself has been long gone, but the sign remained as a nice reminder to travelers of what road they’re on. But it’s apparent that the sign now needs a rescue.
I was alerted of the sign’s predicament by this blog post from a cycling couple that passed through the area. I told Kip Welborn of Friends of the Mother Road about it, and he promptly went out and took pictures of the sign.
Welborn tells me that he and Rich Henry have been trying to contact the owner and realtor about the sign for months, with no response. “The one good thing about the carnage is that she (the owner) isn’t likely going to be able to sell it, so we may have a better shot of getting it,” Welborn told me. We’ll keep you posted.
I was wondering if you knew of the story behind this gas station? Someone told me that someone was murdered there years ago. I am just trying to verify this story.
So sad about the sign, it’s been there my entire life. I don’t think enough folks appreciate the heritage of these signs and the memories they spark.
Thank you, love your site.
I checked with newspaper archives in St. Louis dating to 1991, and I found nothing about a homicide there.
That doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. That’s as far back as the online archives go.
Thank you for the try. I’m still in your site looking around. It’s GREAT!
I was raised not too far from this Gas Station and the story is that Bonnie and Clyde killed the owner on their way through town. I’m not sure what the dates are.
Let me know if you find out for sure.
Thanks, Terri
Any update on the status of saving this sign?