Lost Gas Stations of San Mateo County

Last week, the Menlo Park Historical Association welcomed former Police Chief Bruce and local historian Nick for a lively and nostalgic presentation on a surprisingly rich topic: the gas stations that once dotted San Mateo County.

Standing at the podium in a Route 66-themed shirt, Bruce regaled the audience with stories that stretched far beyond fuel. What began as a simple recollection of summer jobs and cheap gasoline quickly turned into a touching and humorous chronicle of community, changing times, and architectural gems hiding in plain sight.

Bruce and Nick, co-authors of Lost Gas Stations of San Mateo County, spent two years collecting photographs, maps, and stories from archives, garages, and long-time residents. Their detective work took them from Daly City to Half Moon Bay, unearthing relics like:

• Visible glass gas pumps from the 1910s and ’20s
• Service stations that doubled as grocery stores, inns, or even bulldog kennels
• Iconic roadside architecture like “wedding cake” toppers and Art Deco curves
• Promotions from the golden age of service, including S&H Green Stamps, free glasses, and even pudding cups

For those who lived it, the presentation was a warm reminder of the full-service era—when an attendant would check your oil, wash your windows, and call you “sir” or “ma’am.” For those born after the rise of self-serve pumps and mini-marts, it was a glimpse into a bygone age when gas stations were neighborhood landmarks and teen hangouts.

Perhaps the most touching element was how many of these buildings still stand today—now repurposed as homes, restaurants, or long-shuttered shells. Bruce and Nick’s work reminds us that history is all around us, if we’re willing to look closely enough (and ask the right questions).

The presentation concluded with a book signing and a spirited Q&A that covered everything from uniform choices (yes, attendants really did wear white) to tales of local brands like Flying A and Richfield.

Copies of Lost Gas Stations of San Mateo County are available for $25 and include dozens of rare photographs and anecdotes. If you love local history—or just miss the smell of leaded gas—this book belongs on your shelf.

For more upcoming events and talks like this, stay connected with the Menlo Park Historical Association.