05/14/2026
What’s happening at our Phillips Service Station project?
On Saturday, May 9th, the Plainfield Historical Society was honored to host Travels with Darley. Host Darley Newman and her production team filmed at our 1940s Phillips Service Station for their upcoming 100th episode featuring the centennial of Route 66 - Illinois. Many thanks to Heritage Corridor Destinations for coordinating this opportunity and introducing national and international tourists to Plainfield’s history.
Our historic service station sits at a unique location: the only place where Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway share a common, 3-block alignment.
Proposed for construction in February 1939, the Phillips gas station required the relocation of the 1888 Frey-Van Dyke-Selfridge House to a new site a block away. The new service station was built on some of the original limestone foundations of the relocated house.
The gas station opened by June 1940, operating as Bob’s Phillips Service (managed by Robert “Bob” Worst). From 1941-1961, the station operated as Sebby’s Phillips Service. Later, the station operated under the Shell, Union 76, and Marathon brands.
For many months, volunteers have continued interior clean-up and demolition work while engineering and permitting were underway.
Recently, work crews installed a new concrete floor in the former service bays as interior construction continues.
At the exterior, temporary structural steel was installed on May 13th to support upper brick walls while the original—but severely deteriorated—steel lintels at the storefront are replaced. The unanticipated structural problem was discovered when the non-historic canopy roof (installed in the mid-1980s) was removed. The work will lead to the restoration of the original glass storefront.
Within days, site work is set to begin, creating a new entrance at Ottawa Street; replacement of underground utility services; an improved parking lot; and an EV charging station. The site work will replace the Route 59 driveways with a planted landscape bed. A new sign is scheduled for installation in mid-summer.
Due to the exterior facade and site work, the centennial Route 66 sign is stored to protect it from damage; however, the sign should be reinstalled by late June once those projects are completed.
The Society greatly appreciates our contractors and—especially—our supporters who continue to provide generous financial support through membership and donations: www.plainfieldhistoricalsociety.org
