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Travel in Vintage Style

Standard Stations Fuel your Trek in the West

Whiz down the road in your Chrysler Imperial, your wallet full after making the sale! Run out of fuel because you forgot to gas up!

Oh no!

Avoid this calamity before heading out on your 1936 road trip by visiting your closest Standard Station and pick up a handy brochure called “Travel With Us.”

OK, this pamphlet didn’t list the location of every gas station available on the West Coast in the early 20th century, but it did share information about tourist attractions that you would want to see during your journey. The handsome young man on the cover, wearing his spiffy white hat, is reminder enough to fill the tank before starting out.

Standard Oil was part of the conglomerate established in 1870 by John D Rockefeller. The original company was broken up in 1911. Then Standard Stations became their own brand, primarily located in the western part of the country.

A region showcased in this travel guide. Each page is devoted to the best aspects of eight different states. Some features have changed in the 70+ years since this booklet was published, but we can enjoy many of these attractions today. Especially ones that highlight this country’s natural wonders.

First stop is this fantastic 1936 gas station. Here beautiful vintage cars are pampered by attendants wearing sharp, white uniforms.

A black and white photo of a service station in 1936. It is run by Standard Stations. It has two vintage cars are getting gasoline, and being tended to buy service station men wearing hats.
A Standard Service Station in 1936

Before heading out, be sure to stock up on necessary products offered by Standard Stations.

Here is a list of services and products offered by Standard Stations. The list includes gasoline, tires, batteries and restrooms.
Services and Products Offered by Standard Stations

On to California and a stunning view of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate bridge. Follow the caption’s advice and plan to attend the Golden Gate International Exposition that WILL happen three years later, in 1939!

A black and white photo from 1936 of the Golden gate Bridge spanning San Francisco Bay. The caption tells people to attend the Golden Gate International Exposition that was scheduled to happen in 1939.
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge

The famous California Redwood trees are beautiful, even in this black-and-white image.

A black and white photo from 1936 of the California Redwoods
The California Redwoods

Wondering what to see while visiting this gigantic state? No problem. There’s plenty to choose from.

One item that caught my eye was the Carnegie Observatory on Mount Wilson. I lived in Los Angeles for years and had never heard of it. I thought they might’ve been referring to the Griffith Observatory, but they were not. I learned something

A suggested route for drivers to tour the state of California.
Travel Through California
Standard Stations give more details about sites to see in California, including the San Francisco Bay area, the High Sierra, gold camps and the Redwood Highway.
More in California to See

We now drive north toward Oregon and the beautiful Multnomah Falls.

A black and white photo from 1936 of Multnomah Falls in Oregon State. You also see a hotel in the foreground of the photo. The falls is in the back of the photo.
Multnomah Falls Oregon’s Natural Beauty
Details about what to see when visiting Oregon State, including Crater Lake, the Oregon Caves and the city of Portland.
Travel Through Oregon

Washington State is perched in the Northwest corner of our country. It’s full of beauty everywhere you look. A famous natural landmark is Mount Rainier.

A black and white photo from 1936 of Mount Rainier in Washington state.
The Mighty Mt. Rainier in Washington State
Details of what to see when you visit Washington State including Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, Seattle, Spokane and the Grand Coulee Dam.
Travel Through Washington State

Idaho beckons. Turn your compass toward the east.

Details on what to see when visiting Idaho, including Boise, the Sawtooth Mountains and the Snake and Salmon Rivers
Travel Through Idaho

Now down south to Utah—

Details of what to see when visiting Utah, including Salt Lake City, the great Salt Lake and Zion National Park.
Travel Through Utah

In Nevada you’re presented with the age-old question. Is it Boulder Dam or Hoover Dam?

In 1939 black and white photo of Boulder Dam
Is it Boulder Dam or Hoover Dam?

Since we are traveling through the 1930s, many married ladies liked to spend six weeks in Reno if they were eager to shed their husbands.

Las Vegas isn’t really mentioned here. This is before it became a popular gambling playground.

Details of what to see when visiting Nevada, like heading for Reno, visiting the Nevada Gold Camps, or seeing Boulder dam
Travel Through Nevada

Don’t forget Arizona, complete with a mandatory stop at the Grand Canyon.

A 1939 black and white photo of the Grand Canyon.
A “Grand” Canyon
Standard Stations give a description of what to do when visiting Arizona, like visiting Phoenix, Tucson or Prescott.
Travel Through Arizona

Discover New Mexico, where a fabulous sight can be found underground.

A black and white photo from 1936 of Carlsbad Caverns
Underground at Carlsbad Caverns
Standard Stations offer details of what to do when visiting New Mexico in addition to seeing Carlsbad Caverns, Albuquerque and driving to old Santa Fe.
Travel Through New Mexico

Here’s a handy mileage chart.

A mileage charts of key points in the pacific west. A list that gives you the distance between cities.
Want to know how far to go? Check this chart.

Finally, Standard Oil wants you to remember that, even though your trip is finished, you are welcome to come back again.

A statement from Standard Stations that sums up your trip to the west
Summing up Your Trip to the West

This road trip is an illuminating look at what the vintage west must’ve been like nearly 100 years ago. Such journeys are still possible with the right mindset, and of course, Glorious Vintage Stuff!

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