Worldkustom 2015 August ENGLISH | Page 35

Lloyd presented him with a proposal to design a modernistic gas station. The station opened in 1958 under Lindholm's name; it later became a Phillips 66 station and influenced the company's design plans for other filling stations.

The gas station was part of Wright’s larger plan, the Broadacre City plan, to build a utopian suburban society for the Americans pivoting around the gas station as a social meeting place in the community. His vision was to develop the suburban society based on his plans for the gas station to meet the housing demand in the fifties. An observation lounge with glass walls is located beneath the canopy; this space was originally intended to be the social center envisioned in the Broadacre City plan. Adjacent the lounge are the restrooms. From the lounge you have a good view of the station bays and can see when your car is being serviced. Wright had planned to install overhead gas pumps suspended from the canopy to add space, however local safety regulations compelled him to install conventional ground-based pumps. The gas station remains in use and unlike most contemporary service stations full service is offered for the cars, but no potato chips or hot dogs. However, they do sell motor oil in the station attendant area below the observation lounge. This space also has glass walls and is pointed out towards the pump area to give the attendants a good overview. The gas station opened under Lindholm’s name and later it became part of the Phillips 66 brand. The building is an architectural masterpiece and is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), as a building worth preserving for the future. There are preservationists arguing that it would be better to close the mechanic shop that operates in the building today and renovate the gas station to its original condition. But it is also enjoyable to be able to refuel in such a place. The staff told me that the station was "world famous" and that busloads of tourists from China and other countries come to look at the building. Wright's utopian vision of the American suburban community was never completed. Maybe one reason was that Lindholm's gas station cost more than four times the cost of the average filling station of the time to build. However, the characteristic pump canopy was used as a model for the Phillips 66 stations and can still be seen in many places in United States.

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Frank Lloyd Wright located an observation lounge with glass walls beneath the canopy; this space was originally intended to be the local social center. The gas station attendants can easily overview the pump bay area through the pointed glass wall.

Gordy’s Hi-Hat is located across the river from Lindholm’s Service Station. The locals have enjoyed Gordy’s burgers since 1960.

Gordy's Hi-Hat Restaurant is another landmark located in Cloquet across the river from Lindholm’s Service station. The restaurant started in 1960 by Gordy and Marilyn Lundquist. It is a local meeting place especially on Sunday afternoons during the summer season when locals meet there for lunch or dinner. As did I coming back from Hibbing. And as they say on the sign, Gordy's Hi-Hat is "Famous for our hamburgers since 1960". They are also worth the trip. Frank Lloyd Wright passed away in 1959. His legacy prevails. The Lindholm Service Station is in operation and attracts visitors from all over the world. Wickman’s Greyhound buses are still rolling. Gordy's burgers will always be "famous" in Cloquet.Carl Uebel bought a Ford Crown Victoria as soon as he sold the Impala. Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" is still played on the radio. Per Svensson is happy with his Impala and visits car shows in the Norrtälje area and elsewhere in Sweden. Anders Dahlgren continues to criss-cross the United States in search of old cars.