Old Potapov Service Station buildings are razed

The Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press reports that the stone buildings that once were Potapov’s Service Station and Auto Court on Route 66 in Oro Grande were torn down Monday.

“The only option I had was to tear them down, in my mind, because what are you going to do, a tourist spectacle? It’s not safe,” said Judkins, broker and owner of Extreme Team Real Estate and Property Management.

Electricians and plumbers had told him the structure was no longer safe for public use, he said.

But for Route 66 enthusiasts, the demolition is a tragedy.

The buildings used to be Potapov’s Service Station and Auto Court, bought by Bill Potapov in 1943 — a motel before they were called motels.

In more recent years, newlyweds have been posing in front of it in their wedding clothes for an authentic effect.

When word reached the board meeting of the Route 66 Museum, a shout went out over curator Betty Halbe’s cell phone.

“Son of a gun!” director Jim Conkle was heard to say.

It was the worst of all scenarios: It was run-down, the county had condemned it, and it wasn’t on the National Register of Historic Places.

I found this history about the station:

Another significant place along the road is Bill Potapov’s (p’-TOP- off’s) Service Station. Bill and his family came in 1943, and like those who preceded them, the press recognized their arrival and welcomed the newcomers: “Twin calves born at Wm. Potapor’s [sic] ranch. Mr. P has just purchased the B. A. Freeny ranch, getting off to a flying start.”

Bill was another one of those interesting characters attracted to Route 66. He dealt in Douglas gasoline, a popular brand of the 1950s. Customers would often pull into his station needing gasoline, or a minor repair, and the driver would be broke (this was before credit cards).

Bill had a big heart and often got stung when he advanced these people gasoline or services on the promise that they would return some day in the future. His solution was to secure something off of the car to act as collateral until the debt was paid–an automotive pawn shop, in effect. As a result his place was soon festooned with car radios, spare tires, bumpers and all manner of car parts.

Potapov’s structures–the service station, two auto court buildings and a water tower–are among the most picturesque along the highway. They are excellent examples of Guy Wadsworth’s style. Automobiles are often parked alongside the road in front of them as travelers try to penetrate the veil of time and solve the mystery of the stone buildings. […]

This way-stop was quite a draw in the period when the Las Vegas traffic was at its height. Caravans of cars would stop and the place would get quite lively.

Guy Randall has several photos of the service station here. Ace Jackalope also has a few photos in this blog entry.