Shamrock, Texas
gas station
U-Drop Inn / Conoco Tower Station
What it is
A 1936 art-deco Conoco tower and cafe — one of the most beautiful buildings on the entire route, famous for inspiring Cars.
Why it matters
Architecture, neon, and history make it a must-see anchor of the Texas panhandle.
What we experienced
The Conoco tower is the one building on this road I had wanted to see since the first time I watched Cars, and I had never been. We came into Shamrock, parked in front of it, and I just stood there a while. The town gave us more than the corner, too — somebody pointed us at a restored Magnolia station a few blocks down, and there is a mural on the way in. Brownie started bogging down again right as we pulled away, which is roughly how the whole trip went.
Watch this moment19:10Plan your visit
Practical notes
- Status
- Hours change out here — confirm locally before you go.
Along the route
- Sandhills Curiosity ShopErick, Oklahomashop
- Cadillac RanchAmarillo, Texasart
- The Big Texan Steak RanchAmarillo, Texasdinerguide entry coming