East Liberty in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

1st Drive-In Filling Station

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 13, 2011

1. 1st Drive-In Filling Station Marker

Inscription. At this site in Dec. 1913, Gulf Refining Co. opened the first drive-in facility designed and built to provide gasoline, oils, and lubricants to the motoring public. Its success led to construction of thousands of gas stations by different oil companies across the nation.

Erected 2000 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1913.

Location. 40° 27.563′ N, 79° 55.834′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in East Liberty. It is at the intersection of Baum Boulevard (Pennsylvania Route 380) and South St. Clair Street, on the right when traveling east on Baum Boulevard. Located in the Friendship/East Liberty Section of Pittsburgh. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15206, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Motor Square Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); East Liberty Presbyterian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Suburban Catalyst (approx. 0.3 miles away); Portal of Industry (approx. 0.3 miles away); a

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different marker also named East Liberty Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Highland Towers Apartments (approx. 0.4 miles away); Alder Court Apartments (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Highwood (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Regarding 1st Drive-In Filling Station. Note: This marker can no longer be found in the "Behind the Marker" entries on the Explore PA history website.

Also see . . .
1. Site of First Gas Station. Roadside America website entry (Submitted on May 27, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Was the World’s First Gas Station in Pittsburgh? It’s Complicated. Heinz History center website entry (Submitted on May 27, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 13, 2011

2. 1st Drive-In Filling Station Marker

Gulf Service Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Strickler Studio, 1913

3. Gulf Service Station

The Gulf Refining Company's station, the first drive-in service station in the United States. Courtesy: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

Attendant Tips Hat at Gulf Service Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Arthur T. Spohn, Gulf, 1949

4. Attendant Tips Hat at Gulf Service Station

One of numerous Gulf Service Stations in the Pittsburgh area. Courtesy: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 3,864 times since then and 151 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on April 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.