Vintage gas pump stolen from Owl Court property in Oklahoma City

A gasoline pump that dated to 1930 was stolen from the old Owl Court motel property in Oklahoma City that now is used by a local coffee shop.

According to KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, the Texaco pump at the Route 66 motel that served as the marquee for Brew Brother Coffee inside the long-closed motel’s office was stolen Friday night.

“We’re just a coffee shop, and we just are fortunate that we have some historical value. People who are traveling along Route 66 would come to see something like that,” said Elijah Vick, the owner of Brew Brother Coffee. “We don’t make a lot of money here, but there are things that are in this community that make this community a little more attractive. And that was one of the things. So, it would be great if we could get this thing back.”

Vick also told Fox 25 in Oklahoma City he feared he would lose business from the theft because the pump helped him stand out.

“It was already tough getting by as is and as soon as we are starting to get people who are actually coming,” said Vick, “People just taking stuff, that’s just not cool.”

Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the pump is asked to stop by the coffee shop 742 W. Britton Ave. (aka Route 66) or call 405-679-2426.

Vick started leasing the property this past winter for his coffee venture. An ownership group acquired the Owl Court about 2 1/2 years ago. John Dunning previously bought the property in 2006 and had kept the long-neglected lot from deteriorating further.

According to the National Park Service, the Owl Court was built to serve travelers on the 1931 Route 66 bypass around Oklahoma City. The Owl Court complex operated a gas station, motel and cafe until the 1970s.

(Archived image of the stolen Texaco gas pump at Owl Court in Oklahoma City from the Brew Brother website)