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Service Station Transformations
updated: Oct 06, 2012, 11:15 AM
By The Urban Hikers (Peter Hartmann & Stacey Wright)
We've deiced to focus on old service stations that are no longer in service, partly out of a feeling of
nostalgia and partly for the sport of it. Gas stations have changed dramatically over the years, and it's
not just about gas prices. It's also about the service. We both recall childhood days when our parents
pulled into one of the dozens of Santa Barbara service station and we heard those classic words, "fill ‘er
up". Those were the days before filing the tank nearly broke the bank. You usually sat in the car while
the kid filling your tank washed the windows and checked the oil and, if you were lucky, when your
parents wrapped up the purchase they got either trading stamps or a drinking glass. Those were the
good old days for sure.
We start our Montecito/SB/Goleta tour with two service station sites that no longer serve any
commercial purpose at all. The first is in Montecito, the other is a "classic" out near Ellwood.
The Upper Village of Montecito still has one gas station, where there used to be two. In 1993 the Union
'76 station which had been a village staple was dedicated as a lovely little park called "The Corner
Green". Initially the project generated quite a bit of controversy, but now it seems to be a well-loved
feature of the Upper Village. In the spirit of full disclosure we must admit that Peter's dental office
overlooks this one-time gas station, and he much prefers the beauty of this quaint little park.
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Next stop, is the 1980 movie set for The Postman Always Rings Twice staring Jack Nicholson, Jessica
Lange, Angelica Houston and Christopher Lloyd. At the time the filmmakers decided on this location,
the service station, once the Barnsdall-Rio Grande had been long abandoned. Opened in 1929, the gas
station was build a year after the company drilled their first Ellwood oil well. In 1930, a restaurant called
"Wheelers" was added for travelers on the main coast route. We believe Wheeler's was a clever name for
the diner, rather than a family name, but this is pure speculation on our parts. If you know more, please
let us know.
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Of course we couldn't possibly photograph and write about every single converted gas station in the
Santa Barbara area, and we're sure you have a favorite that we've missed. For that we apologize, and
encourage you to document and share your favorite or favorites with Edhat readers. What follows are the
places we've photographed along the way.
Hands down, the busiest repurposed gas station we've encountered is The Daily Grind; we LOVE that
they kept the Shell sign, and simply brought it indoors. You'll notice that we took a photo of the front
door of most of these places, along with a front and side view, to show off the architectural features as
well as possible.
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Not surprisingly restaurants and coffeehouses occupy many an old service stations around town. In
addition to The Daily Grind, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at the De la Vina wye is also an old gas station.
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So are Boucatini (State and Haley), China Palace (Coast Village Rd.), and Derf's (De La Vina and Mission).
As you can see from the old photo, Boucatini used to be home of a Signal Oil service station.
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Markets also make good use of old service stations, and evidenced by The Bottle Sop (Coast Village and
Middle Rd)
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Mac Kenzie Market (State and Calle Palo Colorado)
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and Mac's Grog ‘N' Groc (Haley & Anacapa Streets)
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Our "one of a kind" conversions include St. Paul Cleaners (Bath near Cottage Grove and the 101)
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Santa Barbara Locksmith (Santa Barbara and Ortega Streets)
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Santa Barbara Audio Stereo & Wireless (State & Las Positas)
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Mastercraft Kitchens (Haley and Laguna Streets) (Insert pics # 37-39)
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and Coast Village Persian Rug Co. (Coast Village and Hermosillo).
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A couple of the old gas stations are home to more than one business. Boucattini shares its digs with
Drayton Automotive (State & Haley).
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Ayers Repairs shares it's space with Sabrina Full Service Salon and Boutique.
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and a place on Coast Village Rd. has a whopping three businesses in what had previously been a busy
filling station. This little gem of a building is home to Legacy, Peregrine Galleries and Lily. Who would
have guessed it used to provide service to cars and travelers along the coast route?
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It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that many an old gas station has been transformed into an
auto repair shop. Our favorite old service station is probably one that few have noticed, given its
location at the bottom of De La Vina Street near the 101 (De La Vina & Cottage Grove Ln). Home of
International Autohaus, it appears to be sorely in need of a little TLC. We think the old gal is worthy of a
minor facelift, and hope she'll be preserved well into the future.
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Some of the other auto repair places are Kennedy's, across from the Co. Bowl.
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J & S Garage on East Valley Rd. and Live Oaks...we've always called it "Jay's."
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Ayer's Repairs at the corner of Chapala and W. Victoria Streets.
Drayton Automotive on Haley near State.
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Perhaps the most surprising discovery we made when we started studying converted gas stations is that
we have two that now serve as Granite stores. One, Brasil, is on the corner of Chapala and Victoria
Streets (Insert pic #57 )
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and the other, Home Design and Granite is on Milpas at Montecito Street.
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Who would have thought?
Again, we realize our list of "repurposed" service stations is far from exhaustive and would love to hear
about the old gas stations you've seen around town.
As always we encourage you to go out and explore our marvelous town on foot, keep your eyes, ears
and minds open to all that you encounter, and above all, expect the unexpected.
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