Gas stations come in many shapes and sizes, but one former station in Zillah, Washington, is especially eye-catching because it resembles a teapot. Built in 1922, the building has a circular frame with a conical roof, a sheet metal “handle,” and a concrete “spout” and was inspired by the Teapot Dome scandal of the 1920s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the teapot station is an example of “novelty architecture.” These types of gas stations were meant to be roadside attractions as the national highway system in the U.S. expanded during the ’20s and ’30s. The teapot gas station closed in 2006 but was purchased and rehabilitated in 2007 and now serves as Zillah’s visitor center.
Rubbish Robbing
Apparently, the biggest commodity at a gas station is… garbage cans? Surveillance footage at a Jackson, Mississippi, gas station captured two men taking four of the station’s six trash cans. An employee at the station called the owner to let him know about the missing cans, and the owner assumed the worker was joking. But the footage showed it wasn’t a joke, as the men grabbed the cans, stashed them in a large SUV and drove off. The owner plans to buy new garbage cans, but this time, he’ll chain them down.
Almost Famous
The next time you pay for your favorite beverage at your local convenience store, the future Clint Eastwood could be ringing up your purchase. The actor, director and businessman worked as a gas station attendant before his break into acting, and he’s not the only celebrity who has picked up a few shifts at a convenience store. Michael Douglas, Hugh Jackman and Carrie Underwood all worked in the c-store industry before hitting the big time. Rumor has it that ’90s actor Brandon Call, known best for his role as J.T. Lambert on the TV series “Step by Step,” now works at his parent’s gas station in California after choosing to end his acting career. You never know when you’re going to meet a future (or former) star.