In the spring of 2008, Joann and I decided to visit the Ozarks for our annual photography trip. As always, I planned the route to have stops every couple of hours to allow us to get out of the car for a while. My plan was to take us through Illinois and across the Mississippi at St Genevieve, Missouri. But Mother Nature had other plans and southeast Missouri had major flooding in early spring. I adjusted my plans, and we ended up driving some of Route 66 through Missouri.
Gay Parita Sinclair Station (Replica of 1930 Sinclair Station) on Old Route 66, Lawrence County, Missouri
A short distance west of Springfield, Missouri, and just off Hwy 96, is the Gay Parita Sinclair Station. The original station was built in 1930 by Fred and Gay Mason when Route 66 was the busiest highway in America and stretched from Chicago to Santa Monica. The site also included a rubble stone garage, built in 1926, for oil changes and tire repairs, along with tourist cabins behind the station for travelers.
1924 Fry Guaranteed Measure "Mae West" Visible Gas Pump, Gay Parita Sinclair Station on Old Route 66, Lawrence County, Missouri
The word parita means equality in Italian. Together, as equal partners, Fred and Gay Mason ran the station for 23 years, providing gas, groceries, sandwiches, car repairs, and a place for travelers to stay until Gay’s death in 1953. Fred kept the station open until 1955, when it burned to the ground. Rather than rebuilding the station, Fred decided to retire to Gay’s dream house behind the station and he died in 1960. The photo below, of a vintage gas truck that now sits in front of the old rubble stone garage, shows the castle-like facade of this structure.
Antique Gas Truck in Front of 1926 Rubble Stone Service Garage, Gay Parita Sinclair Station on Old Route 66, Lawrence County, Missouri
When Gary Turner retired, he bought the old Fred and Gay Mason property. Soon he had a 10x16-foot wood-framed station designed by his brother-in-law Steve Faucett and built on weekends by Steve and his son, Steve Jr. The station is not an exact replica of the original station, but is true to the styles of the era. The station has two 1924 Fry Guaranteed Measure "Mae West" Visible Gas Pumps out front, and the words “gas war” under the 15¢ price sign.
Gay Parita Sinclair Station (Replica of 1930 Sinclair Station) on Old Route 66, Lawrence County, Missouri
When we pulled up that day, we were the only car and we soon met Gary Turner, the owner of the recreated station. You can tell from talking with him how much he loves the history of Route 66 and meeting all of the people who come to travel the road.
1924 Fry Guaranteed Measure "Mae West" Visible Gas Pumps, Gay Parita Sinclair Station on Old Route 66, Lawrence County, Missouri
Shortly after we arrived, several people pulled up on motorcycles and came into the small station to look around and speak with Gary. They were from Europe and had heavy accents. Since the station is so small inside, I stepped outside so they could come in, but Joann stayed inside, and several times found herself helping Gary to phrase things in a way they could understand.
After the motorcycle group left, Joann continued to photograph and Gary sat outside on the bench telling us more about his love for the road and the people he meets.
Gary Turner, Owner, Gay Parita Sinclair Station (Replica of 1930 Sinclair Station) on Old Route 66, Lawrence County, Missouri
As you talk with Gary, you can tell that this station is his pride and joy, and meeting the Route 66 travelers is what he lives for. He has a guest book that is signed by people from around the world, and he talks about people from Europe who come to America to travel the road. Some of them ship their cars over so they can drive their own car on the famous road, taking several months and driving from Chicago to Santa Monica. Some come without their cars and rent either cars or motorcycles for the trip. Gary loves talking to all of them.
Gary Turner, Owner, Gay Parita Sinclair Station (Replica of 1930 Sinclair Station) on Old Route 66, Lawrence County, Missouri
Gary asked us if we drove any of Route 66 in Illinois and if we had ever been to Funks Grove. We have been to the town of Funks Grove, photographing an old general store there that has a rusty old gas pump out front. There is also a small railroad depot across the road.
Rusty Gas Pump at Country Store, McLean County, Illinois
Gary said he hadn’t driven the whole road and hadn’t been to Funks Grove, but he wanted to get there some day to get some pure maple “sirup.” This spelling is preferred when referring to the pure product produced by boiling the sap down (without any added sugar). Joann has been to Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup, but I have not been there myself.
Railroad Depot, Funks Grove, McLean County, Illinois
Gary’s recreated station is a welcome stop on old Route 66. He has an enormous love for the road and its history. He loves the people that travel the road so much that everyone becomes his friend for life. He said that he keeps the station open every day of the year, including Christmas Day. He also told us that, when we got home, we should send him a postcard and he would send us a Christmas card.
Before we left, Gary signed post cards for us and one each for our nephews, Sam and Toby. They are big Cars fans (Lightning McQueen and Mader being their favorites), and maybe when they grow up, they will travel route 66 and see it for themselves.
Whitehall Mercantile, Originally a General Store, Post Office, and I.O.O.F. Lodge, Built 1900, Halltown, Lawrence County, Missouri
If you find yourself with vacation time on your hands and no plans, maybe you should go and “get your kicks on Route 66.”
Happy Shunpiking!
Ruth
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