SCOPE OF WORK: Statewide Thematic Survey; National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form
CLIENT: Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS)
COMPLETED: Fall 2008
The American obsession with the open road began almost as soon as the first automobiles rolled off the assembly line. As surfaces and systems improved, people took to the open roads to see parts of the country in ways not possible in the era of train-travel. This adventurous new activity required a variety of support services, from dining and lodging for travelers to fuel and maintenance facilities for vehicles. New forms of entertainment developed as well, such as regional attractions, thematic lodging complexes, and drive-in movie theaters. The network of roads and highways that crisscross through Kansas are lined with numerous examples of auto-related resources from the first half of the twentieth century.
The KHSH contracted with Rosin Preservation in the summer of 2008 to survey examples of historic roadside architecture throughout the state of Kansas. The goal was to identify buildings specifically associated with automobile travel as well as patterns of development within those resource types. While not a comprehensive survey, the survey team traveled to every section of the state, touring small towns and large cities alike. The survey identified 307 distinct resources on 212 properties. The results illustrated patterns of road usage over time and the development of corporate identity, especially for gas stations and diners as chains and franchises spread throughout the country. The majority of resources were auto service stations, followed by lodging facilities. Signs were also important and vulnerable resources identified in the survey. Historic signage was often the most artistic and creative element on the property while demonstrating the highest degree of deterioration. Other resources included auto dealerships, drive-in movie theaters, and roadside attractions, such as The World’s Largest Ball of Twinein Cawker City. The information collected provides critical baseline information that can be used as a starting point for future survey efforts that develop a more-comprehensive picture of the historic context in a given community or region.
The project also included the preparation of a National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form. This document provides property owners with a means of listing resources in the National Register, which creates access to state and federal historic tax credits. Such incentives help fund the rehabilitation of historic resources, thereby extending their economic life.
"Castle" gas station, Glen Elder, 1926
Cabin court, Downs, 1925
Drive-in, Pittsburg, 1963
Phillips 66 gas station, Wichita, c. 1960