Featured in our calendar “2026 Carolina Gems: All Around North Carolina” for July
In Winston-Salem, tucked into the corner of Sprague and Peachtree Streets, stands one of North Carolina’s most eye-catching landmarks. It is not a museum, not a monument, but a building shaped like a giant scallop shell! This is the last remaining clamshell gas station built by Shell Oil, and it has become a powerful reminder of a time when creativity fueled both cars and imaginations.
The station was built in 1930 by Quality Oil Company as part of a regional campaign to promote the Shell brand. Altogether, eight clamshell gas stations once operated in the Winston-Salem area. A bold design with curved wooden ribs stretched into shape and covered with stucco to form a perfect shell, painted in the bright yellow and red colors that Shell is known for. It was marketing at its most playful and visual, a novelty meant to turn heads on the road.
While the other stations have disappeared over time, this one survived. It stopped serving fuel in the 1950s and even spent a few years as a lawnmower repair shop! But by the 1990s, its condition had begun to fade; that is when Preservation North Carolina stepped in. The building was carefully restored, bringing back its original details and repainting it in true-to-era colors. Even the old wooden canopy was rebuilt to match how it looked when drivers first pulled in nearly a century ago.
Though the station is no longer open inside, visitors can stop by to view a small collection of vintage gas station items including rusted oil cans, original Shell signs, and photographs from its earlier days offer a peek into its unique story. Today, the clamshell station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is regularly maintained as part of the city’s architectural legacy. If your summer travels take you through Winston-Salem, make time for a quick visit. It is a fun and unexpected stop that tells a bigger story about the spirit of invention and pride that helped shape this part of North Carolina.
Just as this local treasure has stood the test of time, Blue Moon Benefits Group is here to offer lasting support for your Medicare and health insurance needs. Based in Clemmons and High Point, our team provides trusted guidance on Medicare plans, supplemental insurance, and coverage that fits your life. At Blue Moon Benefits Group, we are proud to serve this community and help you stay confident in every season.
