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John Osterman Gas Station

Retro roadside
In Peach Springs, Arizona
On Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

In Peach Springs, AZ, about a fifth of a mile off the old road, the John Osterman Gas Station survives from the early days of Route 66. Nobody agrees on exactly when it went up, with sources giving 1927, 1929 or 1932. Owned by the Hualapai, it earned a National Register listing in 2012 and stands beside the old Peach Springs Trading Post, making a neat pair of roadside relics.

What is John Osterman Gas Station?

This is a small gas station from the early decades of Route 66, the kind of stop that kept travelers moving across the long stretches of northern Arizona. Its value today is historic rather than practical.

The Hualapai Indians own the station. They nominated it in 2009, and the National Register listing followed in 2012.

History of John Osterman Gas Station

The building date is uncertain. Different sources put it at 1927, 1929 or 1932. Route 66 historian Quinta Scott credits the station to Oscar Ostermann, John's brother, and dates it to 1932. The Hualapai are also reported to have won federal grant money from the National Park Service for its restoration.

Visiting John Osterman Gas Station: tips

Treat this as a quick photo stop of 10 minutes or so, and enjoy it from outside. The Peach Springs Trading Post is about a tenth of a mile away, and food, fuel and lodging are all close by. Grand Canyon Caverns is roughly 11 miles off for a longer break.