Barstow in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Standard Station at First & Main

The Standard Station Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, October 10, 2025

1. The Standard Station Marker

Inscription.
This standard station in Barstow began as a Chevrolet Dealership in the 1920’s owned by Ed Bauer and Slim Slanton.

Around 1937 the dealership was converted to a gas station. By taking out the display windows and modifying the walls, paving the floor and installing pumps inside of the building. There were twelve pumps in the station, ensuring that customers would not have to get out in the summer heat while attendants pumped gas and took care of their cars. A special feature of the garage was a mural along one wall: a map of Route 66.

The corner where the station was located, Main Street (Route 66) and 1st Avenue (Highway 91), was one of the busiest in the USA. In the 1940’s this station was the busiest in the whole standard oil chain, even though it shared the intersection with five different stations! It was the largest covered gas station in California.

The station was torn down in 1971. Later this doughnut shop was built on the very spot.

Master Artist - Kathy Fierro Artists: Juliette Tyson - Ray Valley. Rhonda Kamel - Karen White. Historian: Steve Smith July 2019

Erected 2019 by Barstow Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2019.

Location.

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34° 53.937′ N, 117° 1.648′ W. Marker is in Barstow, California, in San Bernardino County. It is at the intersection of W Main Street and 1st Avenue, on the left when traveling west on W Main Street. Located on the west side of the Starlight Donuts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 W Main Street, Barstow CA 92311, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Mojave Desert,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Mormon Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Spanish Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Ft Irwin National Training Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); General Beale Uses Camels (about 400 feet away); The California Gold Rush (about 600 feet away); Amiel Weeks Whipple (about 600 feet away); Mojave Runners (about 600 feet away); General Steven Watts Kearny (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barstow.

Photographed by Denise Boose, October 10, 2025

2. The Standard Station Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, October 10, 2025

3. The Standard Station Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2025, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.