Blog Post

World's Largest Gas Pump: world record in King City, Missouri

Jul 28, 2023

King City, Missouri, United States--The Big Pump filling station, now located in King City, Missouri, on property owned by the Tri-County Historical & Museum Society of King City, MO., Inc., was built in 1937 by Foster's Builders for Kyle Phares of Phares Oil; purchased by Jerry Jones, who owned Jerry's Bargain Barn and moved north of town, close to his business; later, the King City acquired it; the 21-foot high, Art Deco style structure sets the world record for being the World's Largest Gas Pump, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"The Big Pump filling station was built in 1937 by Foster's Builders for Kyle Phares of Phares Oil. It originally didn't carry a brand name gasoline and was first a discount filling station, one of the first in the area. It later carried several brand names, the last being the CO-OP brand," the Roadside America says.

"It was moved from its original site in the late '70s and purchased by Jerry Jones, who owned Jerry's Bargain Barn and moved north of town, close to his business.

"How and why King City acquired the structure remains a mystery. However, it's good that it was saved from being destroyed and forgotten. It's definitely a piece of Americana that several wish would not have left the place of its roots. Thanks to King City for saving this structure."

"Originally constructed in Maryville Missouri, the Great Pump was moved to a city park in King City Missouri. Another great 'Duck" building, it's tastefully displayed with three mismatched electric gas pumps for which it mimics," the World's Largest Things says.

"Super-special setting-wise for Meta-Photos (in this case may be meta-meta, seeing as there's the World's Largest, World's Smallest of World's Largest, and World's.. well, Most Average...)

"Built by Charles Foster of H.L. Foster & Sons, of wooden 2x4s covered with galvanized metal. Painted black-and-white. (It's now red and white...)"

"Big Pump, also known as Maryville Oil Co., was a historic service station located at Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri. It was built in 1937, and was a 21-foot high, Art Deco style structure," the Wikipedia says.

"It had wood framing and sheet metal siding shaped to resemble a gasoline pump of the 1937 period.

"It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was de-listed in 1994 after being relocated to King City."

"Despite its regal name, King City has a population of just over 1,000 people. It’s population has bounced up and down a little over the decades, but generally is right around 1,000 people," the Pattern Energy says.

"Back in 1937, there was an aspiring entrepreneur in King City who thought, “You know what we need here is a 25 foot gas pump,” and he built it as a roadside attraction that stands to this day.

"If that gives you an idea for what the spirit of King City is like, you are correct. While it sits in rural Missouri, it’s only 30 miles from St. Joseph and around 90 miles to Kansas City. That gives King City a great location with access to big city amenities a drive away."

"The Big Pump is now located in King City, MO on property owned by the Tri-County Historical & Museum Society of King City, MO., Inc.," the oldgas.com says.

"Their address is 508 N. Grand Ave., & Jct. Hwy 169, King City, MO 64463. The museum is open from Decoration Day through the month of September on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and on holidays.

"The Big Pump is outside so one can see it anytime."

"When King City businessman Rufus H. Limpp leased the Maryville Big Pump station in 1936, he also leased a giant gas pump built two years earlier by the Wayne Company," the Missouri Life says.

"Limpp, who is responsible for the King City oil company, creamery, and ice plant, was known for his business-savvy practices, and his legacy is well-known throughout town. Danny Lewis, president of the Tri-County Museum, says Limpp often lowered gas prices so it was affordable for local college students, antagonizing the local competition.

"The Big Pump remained in Maryville through several decades until 1994 when then-owner Jerry Jones o ered to donate it to the Tri-County Museum. Have a gas in King City, and visit the museum at 600 N. Grand Avenue."