Historic designation fuels celebration of ‘30s gas station in Adams Hill neighborhood
Last December, the City Council voted unanimously to list the 1930s-era Richfield Gas Station structure on the city’s Register of Historic Resources.
A celebration honoring Adams Square Mini-Park Gas Station being named a local landmark will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on July 9 at the station in south Glendale.
Last December, the City Council voted unanimously to list the 1930s-era Richfield Gas Station structure on the city’s Register of Historic Resources.
The building was initially nominated by the city’s Historic Preservation Commission because of many elements it represents both aesthetically and symbolically.
There’s nothing more wonderful for a historic structure than for it to come to life.
— Arlene Vidor, chair of Glendale’s Historic Preservation Commission
“[The gas station] has architectural significance … and it reflects car-culture development,” said Arlene Vidor, chair of the commission and one of the event’s organizers.
She called the structure — which hasn’t been in use as a gas station for many years — the anchor of the Adams Hill neighborhood.
Rondi Werner, president of the neighborhood association, said she agreed and that the property has come a long way since she moved to the area in 1999.
Back then, the park was an empty lot and a chain-link fence wrapped around the gas station.
“It was an eyesore. It was a very unwelcoming sight,” Werner said. “I’m just thrilled that now it’s something that’s inviting, and it shows a sense of pride in the neighborhood.”
The Adams Square Mini-Park Gas Station provides an aquarium-like enclosure for the artwork of YaYa Chou, entitled “Beluga’s Journey” in Glendale on Monday, Feb. 1, 2016.
The city-owned gas station was restored in 2007 and, last year, the structure became a small museum for a series of art installations.
Artists are currently being sought for another round of temporary displays.
“There’s nothing more wonderful for a historic structure than for it to come to life,” Vidor said.
Werner said the gas station and the surrounding park create an open space in a neighborhood where there’s a shortage of open space. It also serves as a meeting place, she added.
“I like the vintage feel of [the gas station],” she said. “It welcomes people into the neighborhood from the north. It’s become an icon on our hill.”
Being placed on the historic resources list adds extra protections for the gas station. Any proposed alterations, repairs or demolitions must be approved by the Community Development Department and/or the Historic Preservation Commission.
The July 9 event will feature the gas station adorned with authentic objects found in early gas stations, courtesy of History for Hire, owned by Glendale residents Jim and Pam Elyea.
Local collector Bill James will provide Richfield gas pumps from the 1950s.
The free event will be casual, but attendees are welcome to dress in period outfits.
The gas station is located at 1020 E. Palmer Ave.
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Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com
Twitter: @ArinMikailian
