
Washington circa 1920. "Penn Oil Co., Massachusetts Avenue & Wisconsin Avenue station." National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.
This was a gas station until about 1959. Now a small park. I grew up at 38th & Garfield.
This is what's known as a no frills gas station. You want your oil checked? there's the dipstick. Want you windshield cleaned? The water and squeegee are over there. Now get your gas and get outta here.
I love the gas station photos Shorpy has been featuring. Nice variety, from petroleum palaces to petro-huts. This one gets my vote for the most forlorn.
I pass by there every day on the way to school. Looks like things have changed!
Based on the grade and the location of the lines, I think this is the southeast corner, probably the area now bounded by Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Garfield Street NW:
