Artist converts century-old gas station into home

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Artist converts century-old gas station into home

Well, last week flew by before I knew what had happened (appointments and whatnot I'd rather not have had to attend will do that) and now this week's nearly half gone, all with nary a peep from me!  Sorry about that!  Maybe I could do with a break staying in the subject of this post...

Starting life in 1918 as a city centre petrol station this building in New Orleans serviced cars for 50-odd years before going through a variety of uses such as furniture shop and jewellers before eventually falling into disrepair.  It was put up for sale in 2003, which was when this local artist chappy stepped in.  Over the next ten years, through flood, sweat and tears(!) he has comprehensively renovated it into the remarkable home you see in these pictures & articles.

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Artist Robert Guthrie transforms a regular Mid-City gas station into a premium residence

Featuring some wonderful period æsthetics and motoring-related ephemera, brilliantly complemented with some modern touches such as open-plan layouts and 21st-century appliances, this old petrol station has gained a whole new lease of life as a private residence and one that has been incredibly well-converted to make the most of its history.  Not to mention saved from the wrecker's ball, a fate that befell so many other stations of the era it seems.  Now its future in its original New Orleans neighbourhood is assured.

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This has obviously been very much a labour of love for Mr Guthrie, who it seems intends - quite rightly - to enjoy his new home to the full.  It doesn't end there though, for it appears that he also rents it out as a guest house for tourists.  What a splendid wheeze!  Quite a unique place to stay during your visit to New Orleans, eh?  I shall have to remember it if I ever find myself in the Crescent City.  In the meantime I'm just delighted to see another piece of American motoring-cum-architectural history saved in such a unique manner. 

East Texas man recreates 1920s-era Gulf station

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East Texas man recreates 1920s-era Gulf station

To east Texas, United States, now where a splendid old local character has recently been putting the finishing touches to an obvious labour of love - a replica of his town's first petrol station that opened in the 1920s.

A fine-looking building it is too, very reminiscent of those early gas stations that popped up in rural communities across the land during the pioneer years of the motor car - as well it should be considering the time taken and detail gone into by Mr Rogers.  The world needs people like him and it is lovely to see the community appreciating his interest in its history, not to mention his penchant for collecting fascinating historical objects.  His comment about the perceived difference between a collector and a hoarder is funny, and quite true.  I have no doubt that his home is a treasure trove of antique items with a story to tell and that he will continue to add to his collection for as long as he can - good luck to him.

I am sure Mr Rogers will continue to get many years of enjoyment out of his wonderful Gulf station (although from the sound of things he is already looking ahead to his next project, I shouldn't wonder!), and I would hope that the people of New Harmony, TX will also take the place to heart as an important part of the town - both now and for what it represents of the past.  These small rural American towns have very often hardly changed in generations, as is evidenced here by the fact that some residents grandparents and great-grandparents lived in the neighbourhood and the son of the original station's owner was on hand to cut the opening ribbon.

In these days of bright, impersonal forecourts and splash'n'dash refuelling it is nice to, as Mr Rogers puts it, "step back and forget the traffic" - to step back in time, quite literally, and see how the early petrol stations of America looked, thanks to the dedication of one man.  You may not be able to get petrol at New Harmony Gulf Station No. 2, but I'll bet you can get a good feel for the past.