Submission for the WBMUTBB Digest
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Wally's Service Station Architecture
While on vacation, I read a book entitled "The Gas Station In America." It is
quite a scholarly book explaining the development of gas stations. It's a
scholarly read. If anyone wants more in-depth information, the authors are
John A. Jackle and Keith A. Sculle. It's published by The Johns Hopkins
University Press. Copyright date is 1994. My local library had the book.
Chapter 5 is entitled "The Gas Station as Form" and provides an architectural
synopsis of gas station design. The authors, based on categories in National
Petroleum News listed 10 distinct styles of gas stations spanning the years
1910-1990. Reading this chapter begged the question, "using the categories
established by the book, what type of design would best describe Wally's?"
I viewed parts of episodes which I knew would give good exterior shots of the
set. Episode 77, "Man in a Hurry" (Season 3); Episode 85, "The Great Filling
Station Robbery" (Season 3); Episode 106, "Citizen's Arrest" (Season 4); and
Episode 170, "A Man's Best Friend" (Season 6) all provided good exterior shots.
Based on my observations, I'd say that Wally's Service Station is considered a
"House" design. This type of design included small offices, one or two small
storage rooms, and public restrooms (which we never see on TV). "Customers who
entered the station came face to face with the oil pumps, a reminder to change
oil or, in other instances, a soft drink cooler or racks of cigarettes or
candy" (pg. 138).
Sometimes the "House" design was coupled with a canopy covering the space
between the building and the pumps. Other times the "House" designed was
coupled with bays used for oil changes and car washes. I don't consider the
"garage" that is either on the right side of Wally's (Season 3) or on the left
side of Wally's (Seasons 4 and following) a "bay" because I don't recall ever
seeing Gomer or Goober doing anything in it (please correct if I'm wrong). I
consider it just a storage garage.
The "House" design (and its "Bay" and "Canopy" additions) was popular after
1920. The buildings were usually prefabricated and architecturally blended
into the residential streets. Of course, "Wally's" is no architectural
gem...but it does blend in with the natural setting.
So, I'd say that Wally's was designed as a "House" style of gas station that
was popular in America after 1920 until the 1930s. Actually, "House with
Canopy" and "House with bays" were more popular than just the "House." But by
1940, all "House" variations declined in popularity...a new station design
emerged.
By the way, look closely at Episode 85. There's an interior shot looking
outside through the front door...and you see a residential neighborhood with a
paved street and curb! Looks like the set designer forgot to change the
backdrop! And also notice that the Wally's set was reversed between Seasons 3
and 4. The location of the garage (and the exterior of the main building)
changed.
For what it's worth!
Scott Schilbe
Rochester, MN
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