Highway Gas
Our subject is not terribly old and while less than photogenic it is abandoned and there in lies the appeal. Thereâs something haunting about a place like this, a former business in this instance, closed down and forgotten. Call it strange, yet here were are. This is Highway Gas, a former fuel stop and convenience store found out in rural Alberta. Itâs been empty a while now and suspect it might stay that way for the foreseeable future. Or maybe forever.
The building appears to have been a gas station/store from the start and first makes mention in local phone books early this century. Interestingly, however, the gas pumps look to be models that are older than that meaning they many have been salvaged from somewhere else. That said, evidence is found that suggests there was an earlier gas station just a wee-bit down the road so perhaps they didnât travel far. Who knows?
Highway Gas: youâll have to go elsewhere. Rural roaming with Chris Doering and Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
Do the sameâŠ
The business appears to have changed names and owners a couple times over the years. Like your usual Gas ânâ Gulp, you could both fill your tank and your belly. Mmmm chips, a Slim Jim, a litre of Dr Pepper â itâs the meal of champions. Prepared food was also offered, at least for a time but weâre not sure if it was a restaurant in the traditional sense.
The last owners seem to have called it quits a few years back. Setting up shop out in rural areas is at best hit or miss and if thereâs a lesson here itâs the odds are against you so come prepared. Weâre not sure the reason(s), be it a bad practices or simple lack of customers but in the end the outcome is the same. We get what we see here, a sad ending to something earlier that showed much hope and promise.
Itâs not a pretty building, but I guess itâs functional. The gas island is a simple affair, with the diesel pump offset to the side of the parking lot. A big sign by the highway announces your arrival but I guess it didnât entice enough people in the end. Diesel @ 22.9c? No, a one must be missing. Thereâs no traffic on the highway, but thereâs a pandemic on, so itâs not surprising. We stand there alone.
We didnât doddle long, but later at the motel, our thoughts kept going back. Thereâs a not a lot of history here and itâs nothing to look at, but someone invested their time and effort into making a go of it and failed. Itâs nothing new in business circles and that wonât change in the future. You roll the dice and hope for the best. Highway Gas is a place of lost dreams this little hole in the wall in the middle of nowhere and itâs the âwhat was and could have beenâ we reflect upon.
Before the emails arrive and they always do: when we say abandoned, it does not necessarily mean no one owns it, but instead speaks of a disused or neglected state.
Till next time, we bid you goodbye.
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Theyâre sayingâŠ
âOne of the great places to see great places, online! Wonderful work Chris and ConnieâŠ!â Greg Herman.
Gas Stations!
River City Classic @ Eamonâs Garage.
Retro Service Stations: Lakeview Husky.
Canada88.com.
If you feel like chatting or want more information on what you see here feel free to contact us!
Date of Adventure: September, 2020.
Location(s): The Backroads of Alberta.
Article references and thanks: Old AGT/Telus phonebook at the Calgary Public Library and Medicine Hat and District Genealogical Society.

Itâs a place we call Highway Gas.

Along some rural highway, itâs been closed for a while.

Itâs not that old but it sure is interesting.

The lesson here: being in business ainât easy.

The little things left behind.
Cool!
We like weird subjects like this.
Fillâer up!
Premium please!
This subject is not that photogenic, yet these are beautiful haunting images.
We like trying to do that for places not that visually appealing. Itâs doesnât always work, however, but here we like the results.
I recall topping up at this station many times while checking pipelines in the area.
Middle of nowhere!
(Those prices) Oh I wish!!
You wonât see them like that again. Ever! We wonder if it was actually a dollar something and missing the one.
Thanks for the history!
Itâs always our pleasure!