Historic Cucamonga Service Station on Route 66 Restored as Museum
The historic Cucamonga Service Station, built in 1915 along Route 66, has been restored into a museum. The station, which fell into disrepair after closing in the 1970s, is now operating while seeking funds to rebuild its collapsed garage.
The historic Cucamonga Service Station, a notable example of roadside architecture from 1915, has been restored and transformed into a museum celebrating Route 66 history in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The station stands as one of the few surviving original structures of its kind and era in the Inland Empire region.
After ceasing operations in the 1970s, the station was abandoned and deteriorated for decades. Recognizing its historical significance and endangered status, the Rancho Cucamonga City Council declared it a city landmark in 2009 to ensure its preservation.
In 2013, the non-profit organization Route 66 Inland Empire California (IECA) took ownership of the station. Through extensive volunteer efforts and community support, the station has been meticulously restored to its original 1930s-1940s Richfield service station appearance. It now operates as a public museum featuring artifacts related to local and Route 66 history.
IECA continues its efforts by fundraising for the reconstruction of the service garage that originally stood behind the main station. This garage collapsed in 2011, and its rebuilding will add approximately 93 square meters of museum and office space, further enhancing the site's capacity for historical exhibits and educational programs.