Right across the street from Dairy King, in the small town of Commerce, stands one of the most photogenic little stops on Route 66: Allen’s Conoco Filling Station, also affectionately known as the “Hole in the Wall.”
Built around 1929–1930 by F.D. Mitchell, this tiny service station once fueled travelers during the early years of the Mother Road. At first, it carried Conoco gasoline, and by the late 1930s it had switched to Phillips 66. Rumor even has it that Bonnie & Clyde may have stopped here on their way through Oklahoma, adding a layer of legend to its story.
For decades, the building sat quietly, sometimes empty, sometimes serving different purposes, until Bobby and Linda Allen purchased it in the early 2000s. Linda had the idea to repaint the station in the vibrant green-and-red Phillips 66 colors, inspired by a similar building in Red Oak II, Missouri. With that, the little half-building was reborn as a beloved photo stop for travelers from all over the world.
In recent years, thanks to volunteers and the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the building has been lovingly repainted and restored once again, proving how much this quirky little station still means to the community and to Route 66 travelers alike.
It may not pump gas anymore, but it certainly fuels the imagination. With its unusual structure, bright colors, and fascinating backstory, Allen’s Conoco is the perfect spot to pause, snap a few photos, and feel connected to nearly a century of Route 66 history.
