Building anything in Washington DC - even a gas station - can be a highly bureaucratic affair. Since the Embassy Gulf Service Station is next to Rock Creek Park, its design had to be reviewed by none less than the Commission on Fine Arts, the National Park Service, and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Few gas stations today are subject to such intense artistic scrutiny.

After a few back and forths, architect P.L.R. Hogner's design for the station was approved. It was built out of Alabama Limestone and featured Doric columns and a pediment with a clock. (Unfortunately, the clock is now broken.)

Read more about Embassy Gulf in the comprehensive report from Historic American Buildings Survey.

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