World Art Utopia

Teapot Dome Service Station

The Teapot Dome Service Station in Zillah, Washington: a small round white building shaped like a teapot, with a red lid, a curved red spout and red trim around the door.
Artwork FileZillah, Washington · United States

Teapot Dome Service Station

Reported5 Jan 2026

Jack Ainsworth · Zillah, Washington

Photo: Ned Wilson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), 2009-08-16. Resized; full source framing retained. Historical photograph at the former location, before the 2012 move. The share image uses the full photograph over a blurred background; derivative uses the same licence.

Jack Ainsworth built Zillah's teapot-shaped service station as commentary on the Teapot Dome oil scandal. The former filling station now serves as a visitor centre at Teapot Dome Memorial Park. Source Reported

Reported Jan 2026. Source This is a dated report, not a new on-site inspection.

💡 4 things to know

  1. Political roadside architectureThe city links Ainsworth's 1922 design to the scandal over leases of federal oil reserves. Source Reported
  2. A difficult first moveBefore the 1978 relocation prompted by I-82 construction, a car damaged the structure and it had to be rebuilt. Source Reported
  3. A preservation rescueThe Washington Trust included the station on its 2007 endangered list and now marks it saved. Source Reported
  4. A new public roleThe city moved the restored teapot to 117 First Avenue in 2012, where it became a visitor centre. Source Reported

📍 Where it is

117 First Avenue, Zillah, Washington, United States Source Reported

Open in Maps

🗓️ Sightings

  1. 1922

    Built by Ainsworth; city retrospective.

  2. 1978

    Rebuilt and relocated after road construction and collision damage.

  3. 2007

    Placed on the Washington Trust endangered list.

  4. 200916 Aug

    Ned Wilson photograph, before the final move.

  5. 2012

    Moved into Teapot Dome Memorial Park.

  6. 202522 Jul

    Chamber visitor page updated; describes tours and souvenirs.

  7. 20265 Jan

    Chamber directory page updated; lists the visitor centre.

Green stamps are dated photographs; amber stamps are records or reports. Publication and upload dates are not camera dates. A dated sighting does not guarantee the work remains in place today.

✅ The facts

Builder
Jack Ainsworth Source Reported
Year
1922 Source Reported
Historic-register listing
1985 Source Reported
Current site
117 First Avenue, Zillah Source Reported
Preservation listing
Washington Trust endangered list, 2007; later marked saved Source Reported
City
Zillah, Washington Source Source Checked

🔗 Related

All sources & image credits

Photo: Ned Wilson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), 2009-08-16. Resized; full source framing retained. Historical photograph at the former location, before the 2012 move. The share image uses the full photograph over a blurred background; derivative uses the same licence.

Last checked: 24 October 2026 · How we verify art