Hole in the Clouds


Tag: 5252 Wisconsin Ave NW

Pump Run

Mar 23, 2013

By 7 a.m. on June 21, 1942, the line of cars at this Texaco station, and at pretty much every gas station in America, spilled out of the lot and on down the street. Strict gas rationing to conserve fuel for the war effort was set to begin the next day, June 22, 1942.

Note the corn plants growing in the grassy spot in the lower left corner of the picture. Note also the car closest to the camera: a brand new 1942 Packard.

McDowell's Texaco was in the 5200 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, near Friendship Heights at the edge of Washington, D.C; a parking garage now occupies the spot.

Washington   cityscape   cars   World War II   District of Columbia   1942   5252 Wisconsin Ave NW   (Image credit: Marjory Collins for Office of War Information)