Finding Minnesota: The Frank Lloyd Wright Service Station

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- When referring to Frank Lloyd Wright, one-of-a-kind architecture goes without saying.

Wright designed and created hundreds of homes and commercial buildings throughout the country, but he left something unique in Cloquet -- home to the only service station designed by the legendary architect.

By modern-day standards, Best Service in Cloquet is a bit behind the times. Instead of a large storefront stocked with beverages and snacks, the majority of the building is made up of garage space for an auto repair shop.

The four gas pumps look over a decade old, and the station offers full service rather than pump-your-own gas.

At first glance, it seems the odd duck in a world of grab-and-go convenience. Still, station operator Chris Chartier gets a steady flow of customers.

"In the summer, it's busy," Chartier said. "There's a lot of people around."

Most who show up are there to snap pictures of the actual building, capturing the work of a famous architect who had a vision beyond a square building.

"It's a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed service station. It's the only service station he ever designed, so it's unique in that," Chartier said.

For Chartier, this historical landmark is the place where he has built his career.

"We make our money fixing cars, mainly," Chartier said.

He has spent 34 years as an auto mechanic, while also maintaining a role as an unofficial tour guide.

"[Tourists] want details on the place. It's hard for us because we're working, but we accommodate people as best we can," he said. "We let people look around and go in the lounge and stuff like that."

The real history lesson is best left to one of the building's owners.

"It still seems unique. I've never seen a station quite like this anywhere," said John McKinney, whose family owns the building.

McKinney's grandparents hired the famous architect after Wright designed their Cloquet home in 1952. That is when Wright approached Ray Lindholm with his idea to design a gas station.

The Lindholms were in the oil business, so it seemed fitting for Wright to bring his service station design to them.

McKinney has a copy of the original telegraph finalizing an agreement between his grandfather and Wright to work together.

He also has a copy of the original sketch for the service station. Always the innovator, Wright was not scared to incorporate new ideas.

"What Wright wanted to do was have the gas hoses hang down from the canopy. Back then, the fire marshal would never let it happen and the equipment wasn't prepared," McKinney said. "He didn't want islands. He wanted cars to pull in any which way and pull the hose down and fill the car."

The design for the building is filled with sharp angles that left contractors questioning their capabilities.

"Wright always had to have, usually, an apprentice went along when a job was built because local contractors and carpenters would say, 'Is this right? Is this what I do?'" McKinney said.

The focal point of the building -- the cantilevered canopy -- also caused plenty of concern during the building process.

"I think when you look at the canopy, cantilevered out, many people thought the canopy would fall down," McKinney said.

Along with the unique canopy, the design also featured skylights in the garage bays and a second level that would serve as a lookout.

The layered architecture was not just for show; Wright had one specific purpose in mind.

"Wright saw stations as being a very central part of a community, where people would meet and talk to each other and catch up while they're getting their cars worked on, and thus, there's a lounge," McKinney said.

These days, the building represents a time gone by, though Chartier cannot help but think of its future.

"We're actually in the process of buying it," Chartier said.

A transfer of ownership will be the only change to the building that may be outdated, but this station was always meant to stand out.

"I expect it to stay the way it is," Chartier said.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Service Station is located at 202 Cloquet Avenue in Cloquet. Visitors are welcome to stop by and snap pictures any time.

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