Saturday, December 20, 2008





In Decatur there's an old 1930s gas station and motor court which is clad in petrified wood. It was a beautiful day, and the structure was worth all the trouble it took to find.








The motor court is pretty much gutted and the rooms are teeny tiny without even space for bathrooms, if you were to restore them, but it could be grand. It's such a cute place. I love it. I could do something amazing with that place. I think an insurance company has an office in the gas station bit, and it looks like the cafe still functions. Would like to stop by sometime when they are open. Maybe I'll get around to that one of these days. :)
Have a beautiful Saturday. I intend to.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is this on Rt. 66? I plan on traveling Rt. 66 this Feb. Going to see the daughter in Phoenix. Have always wanted to go down there on that route.
Steve

Christina RN LMT said...

Wow! What did they use to hold all the pieces together? Just regular mortar? It's very unique. From a distance it looks like some kind of stone, then you get closer and see the detail. Amazing.
If you made a go of it, it would undoubtedly be fantastic.

phlegmfatale said...

Hey Steve - No, It's on S Business 81 and Hale Ave in Decatur. You can find it here http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Decatur+&state=TX&address=S+Bus+81+And+E+Hale+Ave

Also check out the aerial view and you'll see the green rooves on the structures at that corner. :) Have a nice road trip. You're going to love it. I love traveling through those areas of NM and AZ.

Christina - I suppose it's some pure-dee heavy-duty stuff, whatever it is! It's stunning. You should see it up close. Yeah, It'd be like a magnet for fruitcakes if I got hold of it, though. :)

Melissa B. said...

Greetings & Salutations, you Superior Scribbler, you! Melissa B. here, The Scholastic Scribe, & the "Original" Superior Scribbler! 2 things on my mind today: I've been nominated for a pretty prestigious blog award, and would greatly appreciate your vote; so if you click on over to my place, you'll see the info. It's an annual award from EduBlog, and I'm up for Best Individual Blog. And also, don't forget to come by tomorrow for the Silly Sunday Sweepstakes. Thanks for your support!

Thud said...

I volunteer to repoint the building...that cement ribbon pointing is doing real damage to such great stonework.

JPG said...

Wow - - Talk about a coincidence! This very past Thursday, I was reading a book - - I'll think of the name later -- by Robin Jett. It gives some road trips by which one may retrace many of the travels of the infamous depression-era outlaws, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. One of the places where they are reported to have stayed is that very motor court. There are even a couple of illustrations, not nearly so good as your images.

The book was just released, and Decatur is a short and convenient drive from the Metroplex. I figure there'll be quite a few day trippers stop by. You might want to negotiate your deal on the motor courts before the market gets really hot.

You do it and H and I'll patronize your restored inn as soon as you open for business.

JPG

fuzzbert_1999@yahoo.com said...

Now that was when filling stations were filling stations! Great shots.

Vinogirl said...

What a great looking building.

MiniKat said...

That is one awesome looking building. Thanks for the pictures! :-)

Barbara Bruederlin said...

That's astounding! I would love to see that building myself one day. sigh - so much to do and see still.

J.R.Shirley said...

It is neat.