Teapot Dome Gas Station in Zillah, Washington

by John Margolies

A photograph taken by the famous roadside photographer John Margolies and rich in both American history and architectural satire is presented. The Teapot Dome Gas Station located in Zillah, Washington, was built in 1922 and served as a humorous reminder of the scandal that took place under President Warren G. Harding. The station was made in the style of "mimetic" or "novelty" architecture and was constructed using the red-and-white color scheme with a cone-shaped roof, a sheet metal handle, and a concrete spout.

John Margolies dedicated his life to documenting the vanishing Americana and classic highway culture, which can be easily seen in this work. The photograph is preserved in the collection of the Library of Congress and presents an interesting piece of 20th century Americana.