Places That Were

It's funny, Gilmore Gas Station was a fifteen minute walk from my place, and yet I never heard its name until after it was gone. The lot had been standing vacant for more than a decade by the time I moved to LA in 2003. I only ever knew it as the rusty old art deco gas station on the southwest corner of Willoughby and Highland.


Built in 1935 by Gilmore Oil, the same company that owns the Farmer's Market on Third and Fairfax, the gas station operated until the early '90s and became a historical landmark in 1992. Its biggest claim to fame is that it appeared in the movie L.A. Story, starring Steve Martin.

I used to pass by the abandoned gas station on the way to work every morning. I always meant to
snap a photo, but today when I happened by for the first time in months, I was shocked to find that it has been converted into a Starbucks. As a person fascinated by abandoned places, I'm sad to see it go, and disappointed that I never got around to taking a picture of it. But I'm also glad to see vacant property return to productive use, especially after two decades of vacancy.

And thanks to the building's status as a historical landmark, the renovations could not involve any drastic changes to its design. I think Starbucks did a pretty decent job with it.


Every time I drive by that corner I will be reminded not to put off visiting sites like Gilmore Gas station because they might not be there when I finally get around to it.

Take it easy,

Jim