It is one of the few living symbols of an era, when petroleum was the newfound lifeblood of a nation?s industry. The Shell gas refilling station in Winston-Salem, North Carolina once served its purpose for decades before running empty during the turn of the century.

The gas refilling station is popular for its distinctive yellow color and scallop shape that is unmistakably a literal representation of Shell?s logo. It was constructed in 1930 by Quality Oil Company, a local Shell marketer in the city. The structure, which was made of concrete over bent wooden framework, is an example of novelty architecture. The station was in operation until the 80s. A local preservation group, Preservation North Carolina, lobbied for its reconstruction and preservation. The station now serves as a satellite office of the group. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.