Wadhams Oil & Grease - West Allis, WI
N 43° 00.715 W 088° 00.446
16T E 417901 N 4762630
This Wadhams Oil & Grease station was built April 20, 1927 in West Allis, WI, a suburb of Milwaukee. It is located at 1647 S. 76th St.
Waymark Code: WM4NZN
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 09/13/2008
Views: 40
The marker at the site reads:
"Wadhams Gas Station
Established April 20, 1927
In 1916 Wadhams Oil & Grease Company saw the market potential of serving early auto owners, many of whom purchased gasoline in buckets to be stored at home. The solution was an off-street gasoline distribution center to be known as a gas station. Wadhams Gas Stations went on to become a prominent regional chain in the Midwest only a few of which remain standing today.
Famous Milwaukee architect Alexander Eschweiler's Wadhams Gas Station design is considered to be iconic. His ingenious design married a typical steel-framed, glass-walled, box-like gas station to a swooping roofline, creating a building that was functional and efficient as well as eye grabbing. The idea behind the design was to use color and a striking silhouette to distinguish the building from the visual clutter of a typical roadside strip. Its flamboyant roof was instantly recognizable, making the building the centerpiece of Wadhams Oil & Grease Company's market image.
This Wadhams Gas Station remains in its original location and in 2000 was restored to its 1950's state with the support of the West Allis Historical Commission. In 2004 the building was designated as a local landmark as well as being listed on the on the State and National Register of Historic Places. This landmark is owned and maintained by the City of West Allis. It contains historical historical displays of petroleum products once sold and equipment used by previous owner Frank Seneca who owned and operated the gas station from 1954 to 1978.
Presented by the West Allis Historical Commission 2006."
Address of the station:
1647 S. 76th St
West Allis, WI USA
53214
Type of Gas Station: Vintage
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