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Roadside Attraction
updated: Feb 19, 2011, 8:45 AM
By the dedicated staff
For a little bit of roadside history in Goleta, check out the "Sentinel at Ellwood" - the historic Barnsdall-Rio Grande gas station. The structure hearkens back to long ago days of road trips when Highway 101 was in a slightly different place than it is today.
The station is on Hollister Avenue just before the Sandpiper Golf Course. Coming from Goleta, take Hollister north from the Storke/Glen Annie intersection. Coming from Highway 101, take the Winchester Canyon exit (currently under rerouting construction) and head south on Hollister. The station is on the ocean side of the street, and you can't miss its tall white tower and blue and white checkered tile accents.
In the 1930's, autos would pull up under the stucco canopy, and the attendant working at the station would come on out to fill ‘er up. Hollister at that time was Hwy 101 - not a parallel road.
According to a history of the station: "The Barnsdall Rio Grande service station was built in 1929, and is one of the most architecturally significant service stations in California and perhaps the United States."
Why this location? When it was built, the station was at the entrance to an oil field controlled by the Barnsdall - Rio Grande Oil Company. Today, you'll find a development of new luxury homes just down the street and the golf course on the other side.
The design was intended not just to impress, but the tower held a water tank that served as the station's pressurized water source.
Once upon a time, the station earned a beautification award from the Garden Club of Santa Barbara, and the Montecito Roadside Committee. Today, it's surrounded by a chain link fence to keep trespassers out. Anyone know more about its current ownership and preservation status? Post a comment in the comments section.
More historic details and old photos can be found at this link
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