Historic Self-Service Gas Station, Texas Photo Print

"Historic Self-Service Gas Station, Joinerville, Texas" by Catherine Sherman. A vintage truck is parked in front of an old self-service gas station, which is now part of the Gaston Museum in Joinerville, Texas. This was one of 35 Dixie stations in the area and the first self service. The gas station became self service because the owner was too ill to wait on customers. Customers would serve themselves and put money in a box. All Dixie service stations were identical prefabricated metal buildings. This station is thought to be the only one remaining. Dixie was the marketing division of the East Texas Refining Company, the first refinery in the East Texas Oil Field. The station and terminal were open 24 hours a day. The East Texas Oil Field is first in the United States in total volume of oil recovered since its discovery in 1930.