I was walking through Seattle on Saturday when I looked down to my right. In the overgrown weeds I saw a plaque. The plaque stated that this was the site of the very first service station in the world. According to the Wikipedia page on Filling Stations, it was actually the second.
The world’s first purpose built gas station was constructed in St. Louis, Missouri in 1905 at 412 S. Theresa Avenue.[1] The second gas station was constructed in 1907 by Standard Oil of California (now Chevron) in Seattle, Washington.
What does this have to do with coffee?
The service station allowed us to drive across the country fueling up our car along the way. Whereas gasoline and diesel are the fuel for the automobile, coffee and espresso are the fuel for the driver. After I took the photo of the above plaque, I turned around and spotted the world headquarters for Starbucks Coffee.
Fuel for the car. Fuel for the driver.
Written by MAS
Topics: History