This Historic Shell Gas Station In North Carolina Belongs On Your Bucket List

The Tar Heel State is home to a number of awe-worthy roadside attractions (see 15 in this previously published article). However, the giant shell gas station in Winston Salem is among our favorites. It was built in 1930 as a marketing tool for a new local Shell distributor and it’s giant facade is one every North Carolinian should see in person.

It sits at an intersection easily accessed from Interstate 40 in Winston Salem and you’ll be glad you popped over to have a look.

Wikipedia/David Bjorgen

Okay… and take a photo!

TripAdvisor/Becca S

The giant seashell was briefly left to decay for a period until Preservation North Carolina stepped in with enough funds to restore the landmark back to its original glory. Layers of paint were peeled off the exterior and the trellis car wash (at left) was reconstructed exactly as it had been in the station’s heyday.

TripAdvisor/FoodFunSun2016

Through the door (which is original to the building) you’ll get a glimpse of the interior. It’s roomier than one would think from looking at the building’s exterior.

TripAdvisor/cheryl h

Want to see it for yourself? This map shows just how close it is to I-40.

Google Maps

In just a hop, skip, and a jump you can pay a visit to this novelty shell station that’s the only one remaining of the eight that were originally built in the 1930s.

Google Maps [street view]

The address is 1111 E Sprague St., Winston-Salem, NC 27107. (It’s located at the corner of Peachtree and Sprague Streets.)