Historic Site along the Shortest Stretch of the DBH

Kansas has the shortest stretch of Route 66 totaling only 13.2 miles. Baxter Springs is one of a few towns along that piece of road. It’s here that you’ll find the Independent Oil and Gas Service Station, a proud tribute to the DBH and its history.

What immediately stands out about The Independent upon first glance is that it looks more like a home than a gas station. This is no accident. Architects wanted the gas station to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood so it was built in the Tudor Revival style. Since other Independent Oil and Gas stations were also built in this style, the architecture helped to identify the brand and visually establish customer loyalty.  The station was built in 1930, which was a hard time for America. Slammed by the Great Depression, oil companies in particular were suffering. The decision to construct this service station in the style of a home also brought a sense of security and familiarity to customers who needed reminders of stability during the economic upheaval.  This structure has classic features of the “automotive cottages” that were popular of the time. Steep gabled roofs, large windows, and even chimneys gave these businesses a domestic feel that felt inviting and safe. Independent Oil and Gas merged with Phillips Petroleum the year after construction, and signs reading Phillips 66 were erected in a style that was to become typical of the Mother Road.

Additions were made to the service station over the years, including the construction of an auto repair shop which gave the building its unique L-shape. New construction was done in the original Tudor Revival style and looks seamless with the original construction. Phillips operated and sold gasoline at this location until the 1970s. A string of businesses and owners occupied the building after that, until 2003 when the National Park Service listed the location in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Money from grants plus lots of volunteer work were poured into the old service station in a revitalization effort. The building opened its doors to the public in 2007 as the Kansas Route 66 Visitor Center. This is the best place to start your 66 adventure in Kansas. The center is run by volunteers who are happy to supply travelers with 66 information. 

The Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station is located on 940 Military Avenue which is part of Kansas’ Historic Route 66 Byway. Kansas has the shortest stretch of the Mother Road, but authentic sights like this one can be found in Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs. It’s a dense stretch where many iconic structures grew out of need during the Great Depression. It’s truly the section of road that can be most closely associated with the name Dust Bowl Highway.