If you decide to visit Crandall, South Dakota, this much is certain — you will be treated to some awesome prairie vistas on the way to this out of the way place near the convergence of Day, Clark, and Spink Counties. Crandall is an unincorporated community with fewer than a handful of residences remaining. The former gas station is historically significant as the last Standard Oil Station in the United States to use manual gravity pumps.

South Dakota Public Broadcasting says this station was first opened in 1934 by Howard Lawson. Above: The station. In the background, the old wooden grain elevator’s top has collapsed, but most of it still stands alongside the tracks.

Crandall suffered a crash when State Highway 20 was diverted in 1960.







The gas station ceased operating full-time in 1970, but there is a Facebook page about the “Crandall Pumps” that seems to show some social gatherings that have been held there recently.

These gas pumps are 1920’s era. And it wouldn’t be South Dakota without a sign pointing the way to Wall Drug.

Photos by Troy Larson, copyright Sonic Tremor Media

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