West End Service Station

Americans have always had a heart for adventure and exploration. The advent of the automobile kicked that up a notch, and by 1926 had fueled the development of a national system of cross-country roadways. The most endearing and iconic byway to emerge from this? Route 66, which debuted in 1926 and ran for more than 2,440 miles from Chicago to the West Coast shores just outside of Los Angeles. For decades, it cut a path through Edwardsville. Travelers from near and far were eager to explore, and they needed gas, tires and maintenance to do that. Luckily for them, the West End Service Station could meet their needs. It changed hands (and names) over the years, but adhered to one goal -- to be the "home of friendly service."

From 1927 through 1964, around the time that Route 66 bypassed Edwardsville, the building at 620 St. Louis Street served as a fuel stop and service center. For the next 55 years (until 2019), it shifted to a different kind of service: dentistry. In 2022, the City of Edwardsville partnered with Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau to purchase and restore this Route 66 landmark to map out the history of the iconic highway in Edwardsville. It opened in June 2023 as a Route 66 interpretive center to take visitors on a nostalgic trip back in time through stories, photos and souvenirs.

West End Service Station interior entrance wall-0623
West End Service Station with gas pumps-0623

West End Service Station

WHERE: 620 St. Louis Street, Edwardsville (click for map)
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
ADMISSION: Free
EVENT RENTAL: Reserve the station for your next event

Please note: At this time, there is no dedicated parking for the West End Service Station. Street parking is available in the area. A public lot is located south of the station at the site of the Route 66 monument and Experience Hub. We do offer a bike rack at the station for those who care to travel on two wheels. Please be respectful of nearby businesses and residential property. Thank you!

West End Service Station tile floor-0623

March 2026

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

  1. Sun, Mar. 22

    1926 Exhibit at West End Service Station

  2. Wed, Mar. 25

    1926 Exhibit at West End Service Station

  1. Thu, Mar. 26

    1926 Exhibit at West End Service Station

  2. Fri, Mar. 27

    1926 Exhibit at West End Service Station
View Full Calendar

BUILDING TIMELINE

Year  Building Status
1927 Edwardsville resident Henry Springer opens Springer's Madison Oil Co. at the site.
1936 New owners Robert Smith and Ralph Ladd change the name to the West End Service Station.
1939 Route 66 in Edwardsville is repaved; original station is demolished, replaced by the current structure.
1948 Local mechanics Henry "Hank" Dohle and Robert "Doc" Heidinger buy the West End Service Station.
1961 Ralph Ellsworth buys the site, renaming it Ralph's Mobil Service Station; it eventually outgrows the lot.
1964 Route 66 bypasses Edwardsville; the station is sold and becomes a dental practice until 2019.
2022 The City of Edwardsville, with the help of Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, buys the site.
2023 The West End Service Station debuts in June as a Route 66 interpretive center!

Special thanks to Cheryl Eichar Jett, Edwardsville’s “Route 66 Chick” for building & history details.