The historic Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, California, likely will reopen as an automotive memorabilia museum in July, reported The Press Enterprise.
Volunteers of the Route 66 Inland Empire California Association have worked many months to restore the century-old station on Route 66, including unveiling a new paint job and Richfield gas sign in February. However, this is the first report I’ve seen that has a specific purpose in mind for the station and a target date for its reopening.
The newspaper reports the group has spent $50,000 so far in restoring the station. The newspaper also reported what the group’s future work will entail:
Sewer, water and gas lines will be added, along with a decomposed granite surface around the building. Two donated gas pumps from the early 1900s will be installed on concrete islands in front. Restrooms will be built in their original spot next to the station.
Plans call for a replica garage, office and meeting room in a new building at the rear of the property. Visitors can bring their cars and take photos in an area that looks like a mechanic’s workshop, Gonzalez said.
The group recently uploaded its “2014 Year in Review” video, which shows all the work that’s been done. Warning: There are some really wacky ads in this video.
You can follow Route 66 IECA on its Facebook page here.
As I recall, the original Richfield gas sign was not yellow. It was blue. It later became the Atlantic Richfield company better known as ARCO. But I’m glad they restored it anyway. Next time I go on my r66 vacation, I’ll take pix of it. Thanx for rebuilding it