Well I'll be Darned!!!

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Well I'll be Darned!!!

The oldest operating gas station in the United States is located in Zillah, Washington. I decided to look it up, and it was so fascinating that I actually had to drive out there. It's not just the oldest operating gas station. It is also shaped like a teapot (complete with handle and spout) and is called Teapot Dome Station. It was thus constructed and named to spoof the political scandal that occurred during the administration of Warren G. Harding. The Teapot Dome scandal occurred because the government illegally leased the US naval petroleum reserve in Wyoming (without competitive bidding) to a private oil company. Interior Secretary Albert Fall became the first former cabinet officer to go to prison and many others were indicted. The Teapot Dome Station was built to spoof the government's shady dealings. Its original owner's son finally sold the station to another family in November of 2000. Little restoration or remodelling has been done to the original building, which is a white teapot with a red handle and spout.

Ian and Therese Goodwin