Union 76 Gas Station | Los Angeles Conservancy
Photo by Michael Locke

Union 76 Gas Station

The Union 76 gas station at the corner of Crescent Drive and Little Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills is a true icon of Mid-Century Modernism, recognized everywhere as one of the highest examples of Googie architecture in the world. 

It was designed by architect Gin Wong of Pereira and Associates and completed in 1965. The design came earlier, though, and was meant for a very different location: in 1960, Wong designed the building to be part of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). 

Its futuristic style was meant to complement the famous Theme Building. But since it didn’t work out with the airport’s plan, this amazing building ended up as a gas station in Beverly Hills. 

Most gas stations have a canopy, but only this one has a hugely swooping, curved canopy reminiscent of a giant parabolic spaceship.

The canopy perches above the nondescript rectangular building containing snacks and a cashier station, spreads out over the pumps, and lifts its angled corners to the sky. It is anchored by two large supports that descend to earth at the pumps. 

The edges of the roof are decorated with a frieze of simple squares, and its underside is illuminated by long rows of shimmering fluorescent lights that follow the curve above. 

It is no exaggeration to say the Beverly Hills Union 76 is the best gas station in Southern California.

Rose Hills Memorial Park Chapels

Whittier’s Rose Hills Memorial Park is the largest cemetery in the United States, covering hundreds of acres and encompassing many different memorial environments.Among its many buildings and landscaped areas are two remarkable Mid-Century Modern-style buildings designed by Albert C. Martin and Associates.
Car Wash
Photo by Jessica Hodgdon/L.A. Conservancy

Car Wash

Originally known as the Auto Laundry, this Googie-style Ventura Boulevard gem is one of few that retains its spectacular original details that unmistakably advertise it as a car wash.