Mount Olive in Macoupin County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Soulsby's Service
Mount Olive, IL
| | Since 1926 | |
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 15, 2026
1. Soulsby's Service Marker
The advent of a national road system in 1926 ushered in a golden age for small-time entrepreneurs. In Mt. Olive, Illinois, it inspired miner Henry Soulsby to put down his pick and shovel and erect a gas station along what would soon become Route 66. His son, Russell, and daughters Ola and Velma helped build and operate the new business. It had a red-shingled roof and cream-colored redwood siding. From the beginning until the end - 65 years - they sold Shell gasoline provided by the Fassero Brothers distributing company in nearby Benld.
Soulsby Shell is a one-of-a-kind design. The original 13" x 30" building barely had room for a coal stove, cash register, roll top desk, battery charger, and a few supplies. The Soulsbys added a 12' x 30' extension to the back of the building in the mid-1930s, but it was still never big enough to accommodate a car. For minor repairs, they had a drive-up ramp outside. For oil changes and grease jobs, they use a portable lubester. To charge a battery, the Soulsbys would just pass the cables out the window. The canopy hung almost too low or gravity flow pumps to fit. Although there was
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To ease accessibility, and make the best use of limited space, the station had 5 doors. The Soulsbys and their customers never had to turn a corner to get in or out. They just used the right door. It also proved convenient for Russell when he ran a second business out of the north side of the building, that of Mt. Olive's top TV repairman.
Another striking feature is the station's drive-up ramp, still in place today. When Russell stopped using the ramp for repairs, local teens started using it at night to tune up their hotrods. To prevent its nighttime use, Russell let a pin oak grow between the legs. It now joins several walnut trees to produce shade over picnic tables for visitors.
When Henry passed in 1949, Russell and Ola took over the station. Their partnership endured until the station closed. Each was adept as the other at pumping gas, checking the oil, and looking under the hood to fix problems.
Ola proved to be a homebody, never marrying. Russell
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 15, 2026
2. Soulsby's Service Marker
When Interstate 55 replaced Route 66 in Illinois, starting in the mid 1970's, it spelled the end for most mom and pop gas stations. But Russell and Ola kept pumping gas until 1991.
When they no longer sold gas, Russell stayed open to check oil, sell soda pop and talk with the increasing number of Route 66 tourists and documentary makers. A pixie in work clothes, Russell charmed all his visitors. His smile, whether wide or sly, always threatened laughter. Soon he was drawing Route 66 fans from all over the world.
After Ola passed in 1996, a reluctant decision was reached to sell the venerable landmark at an auction. The new owner, Mike Dragovich, was their neighbor and cut their grass for many years. Interestingly, Mike's grandfather had sold the original property to coal miner Henry Soulsby in 1926.
After Mike bought the station in 1997, Tom Teague and members of the Route 66 Association offered
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 15, 2026
3. Soulsby's Service Marker
front view of the station
In 2009 Route 66 historian, Ollie Schwallenstecker, along with Mt. Olive native Nelson Grman, convinced Mike to revive the Station. A handful of volunteers turned the roadside distraction into a roadside attraction. Each Saturday, volunteers gathered to strip the vinyl skin off the old station. They repaired doors, reinforced floors and installed salvaged wood planks to the outside of the building. Soulsby's Service Station is the oldest, most original station (along the route in Illinois) that has not been completely rebuilt. All of the labor and many of the materials were donated. This included the wooden slats that were salvaged from a 1950s-era garage hat was slated to be demolished. After the work was completed, it was recognized by the National Park Service as one of the best restoration projects of its kind.
Currently, owner Mike Dragovich maintains the station, keeping it open throughout the spring, summer and fall for many visitors each day.
Erected by Enjoy Illinois and Great Rivers & Routes.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 39° 4.27′ N, 89° 44.124′ W. Marker is in Mount Olive, Illinois, in Macoupin County. It is at the intersection of West 1st South Street and Old U.S. 66, on the left when traveling west on West 1st South Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 710 W 1st S St, Mount Olive IL 62069, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Union Miners Cemetery at Mt. Olive, Illinois (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ill. Traction System (approx. 5 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 5 miles away); Historic Route 66 Illinois (approx. 5.3 miles away); Henry's Rabbit Ranch, Staunton, Illinois (approx. 5.3 miles away); Heart of Coal Country (approx. 5.7 miles away); Founding of the Progressive Miners of America (approx. 5.8 miles away); Macoupin & Chestnut Streets (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Olive.
Other markers no longer nearby. Soulsby Shell Station, Mt. Olive, Illinois (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Dancing the Night Away (was approx. 4.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Soulsby Service Station (National Park Service). (Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Soulsby Service Station on Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
