Goleta in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Barnsdall-Rio Grande Gas Station and Restaurant
Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 24, 2026
1. Barnsdall-Rio Grande Gas Station and Restaurant Marker
Built in 1929, this was the first gas station of the Barnsdall-Rio Grande Oil Co., which drilled the Ellwood Oil Field Discovery Well in 1928. Wheeler's Restaurant (circa 1930) was adjacent to the station on the west side. "The Postman Always Rings Twice" film was made here in 1980. (Marker Number B.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 34° 25.779′ N, 119° 54.087′ W. Marker is in Goleta, California, in Santa Barbara County. It is on Hollister Avenue west of Las Armas Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7825 Hollister Ave, Goleta CA 93117, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast, specifically on the Coast Ranges, and specifically in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. 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,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Japanese Attack (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Japanese Attack (approx. 0.9 miles away); Goleta Depot (approx. 2.9 miles away); Earle Ovington Terminal (approx. 3.7 miles away); Ovington's Hangar (approx. 4.4 miles away); Sexton House (approx. 4.9 miles away); Cathedral Oaks Schoolhouse (approx. 6.2 miles away); Cold Spring Tavern (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goleta.
Additional keywords. movie filming locations
Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 24, 2026
2. Barnsdall-Rio Grande Gas Station and Restaurant Marker
Marker and property are fenced off.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 18 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
