The Last Remaining Shell Oil Clamshell Station: A Unique Piece of History
It’s historic, unique, and unusual—and it’s a gas station. They don’t make them like this anymore. Located in a residential area of Winston-Salem, this gas station is shaped like an old clam shell. Built in the 1930s, the station’s unique design, made from stucco over wood and wireframe, was part of a creative marketing strategy. Back then, Shell didn’t rely on social media but on eye-catching architecture to attract customers.
Photo by Flickr
Eight clamshell stations were built in Winston-Salem, with one more in Kernersville, by Quality Oil distributors Joe Glenn and Bert Bennett. The design embodied Shell’s brand, turning the logo into a real-world symbol. Shell’s logo, first inspired by a mussel shell, evolved into a scallop design, possibly influenced by founder Marcus Samuel’s family coat of arms.
Constructing these stations was no small feat. The clamshell structure housed an office and bathroom encased in bent wood and wire, finished with stucco. The last of these stations operated until the 1950s and later became a lawn mower repair shop. In 1976, it became the first individual gas station in the U.S. to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the clamshell station is a preserved landmark, filled with vintage memorabilia, old Shell signs, and historic photographs. Managed by Preservation North Carolina, it stands as a tribute to a bygone era, ensuring its legacy will endure.
Come by and snap some pictures—it’s easy to find on Google Maps. This unique station is a great photo opportunity, and you’ll be witnessing a piece of history. Please keep it intact though, as the site is under 24-hour video surveillance to protect this historical treasure. Remember, there were only eight of these stations in the entire USA, and this is the last one standing. Make sure to stop by and see it for yourself next time you’re in Winston-Salem.
Address:
1111 E Sprague St
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27107
United States
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Historic Shell Service Station, 1111 E. Sprague Street at Peachtree Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (private property; exterior visible from surrounding public streets)
- Access
- The historic station is privately owned, and its interior is not open to the public. A recent local feature says the surrounding public streets provide views from a respectful distance. Stay on public sidewalks or other lawful public space; do not enter the lot, block residents, or stop unless parking and viewing are both legal and safe.
- Admission
- No public admission programme or ticket price is listed. The building is privately owned and its interior is not open to visitors.
- Time needed
- No official or standard visitor duration is published. The supported experience is only an exterior view from surrounding public streets; do not enter or linger on the private property.
- Best season
- No preferred season or seasonal visitor programme is published. This is a privately owned landmark viewed from public streets.
- Opening hours
- No public visiting hours are published. The interior is not open to the public; do not treat third-party directory hours as access permission.
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-01
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