This Bizarre Tennessee Roadside Attraction Includes an Airplane
Driving down Clinton Highway in Knoxville, Tennessee, you might do a double-take when you spot what looks like a full-size airplane perched on top of a building. This isn’t your imagination playing tricks on you. The Airplane Gas Station is a real roadside landmark that has captured the hearts of locals and travelers for decades.
Originally built as a Texaco station in the 1930s, this quirky attraction continues to turn heads and spark curiosity today.
A Bizarre Roadside Attraction You’ll Only Find in Tennessee
Roadside America is full of surprises, but few are as memorable as Knoxville’s Airplane Gas Station. Sitting proudly at 6829 Clinton Highway, this architectural oddity features what appears to be a vintage airplane resting atop a small building. The design isn’t just painted on or a small model.
Built to resemble a 1930s-era aircraft, the structure captures the golden age of aviation when flying was still considered magical and exotic. The attention to detail is remarkable, from the wings stretching out over the building to the fuselage that forms part of the roof.
What makes this attraction truly special is its authenticity and preservation. Unlike many roadside novelties that have fallen into disrepair, the Airplane Gas Station has been beautifully restored. The building stands as a testament to creative American architecture and the roadside culture that once defined cross-country travel, making it a must-see for anyone who appreciates quirky history.
Why There’s a Full-Size Airplane Sitting on a Gas Station
Back in the 1930s, America was airplane-crazy. Charles Lindbergh had just crossed the Atlantic, and everyone wanted a piece of aviation excitement. Texaco capitalized on this fascination by building themed gas stations that looked like airplanes, combining two symbols of modern progress: automobiles and aviation.
The Knoxville location became one of these rare aviation-themed stations. Gas station owners knew they needed to stand out along busy highways to attract customers. What better way than building something that looked like it could take flight?
The airplane design wasn’t just decorative; it was brilliant marketing that made the station impossible to miss.
Only a handful of these airplane-shaped Texaco stations were ever built, and even fewer survive today. The Knoxville structure represents a unique moment in American commercial architecture when businesses weren’t afraid to get creative and playful. That original vision continues to pay off, as the building still attracts attention and visitors more than eight decades later, proving good design never goes out of style.
The Story Behind Knoxville’s Famous Airplane Landmark
For generations of Knoxville residents, giving directions always included a reference point: “before the airplane gas station” or “after the airplane gas station.” That’s how deeply embedded this structure became in local culture. It wasn’t just a business; it became a true community landmark that everyone recognized and remembered.
The building served as a functioning Texaco station for many years, pumping gas and serving travelers along Clinton Highway. Over time, as the gas business changed and the station closed, the building could have been demolished. Instead, locals recognized its historical and cultural value. The structure was carefully preserved and eventually restored to its former glory.
To this day, the building has housed various businesses, including a barbershop that operated inside this unique space.
What It’s Like to Visit This Airplane-Topped Gas Station
Pulling up to the Airplane Gas Station feels like stepping into a time capsule. There’s a small parking area where you can safely pull off Clinton Highway and take in the view. The building looks photogenic from every angle, making it perfect for snapshots and selfies.
You won’t find working gas pumps anymore, so don’t expect to fuel up your car here. What you will find is a well-maintained piece of history that’s been lovingly preserved. The exterior details are crisp and clean, showing the care that went into the restoration work.
The attraction delivers exactly what it promises: a unique, quirky piece of Americana that’s fun to see and share. Whether you’re a roadside attraction enthusiast or just passing through Knoxville, stopping here adds a memorable moment to your journey without requiring a major time commitment.
Where to Find This Unique Spot in Knoxville
Finding the Airplane Gas Station couldn’t be easier. Located at 6829 Clinton Highway in Knoxville, it sits along a well-traveled route that connects various parts of the city. The building is visible from the road, and its unique design makes it impossible to miss once you’re in the vicinity.
Clinton Highway is a major thoroughfare, so you’ll find plenty of nearby amenities. Grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses are close by, making it convenient to combine your visit with other errands or stops. The location isn’t tucked away in some remote area; it’s right in the mix of everyday Knoxville life.
Just remember that if a business is operating inside, be respectful of their operations while you’re exploring and photographing the exterior.
Why Locals Love It, and Outsiders Can’t Stop Talking About It
Ask any long-time Knoxville resident about the Airplane Gas Station, and you’ll likely see their face light up with recognition. It’s more than just a building; it’s a shared memory that connects generations. Parents who saw it as children now bring their own kids to see the same landmark, creating family traditions around this quirky structure.
For locals, the building represents continuity in a changing world. While so much of the commercial landscape has been bulldozed and rebuilt, the Airplane Gas Station remains. It’s a comforting constant that reminds people of Knoxville’s unique character and history.
The fact that it’s been preserved rather than destroyed speaks to community values and appreciation for distinctive architecture.
Outsiders are drawn to it for different reasons. Roadside attraction enthusiasts seek it out as a rare surviving example of themed architecture from the 1930s. Social media has introduced it to new audiences who add it to their Tennessee bucket lists.
Why This Airplane Gas Station Has Become a Tennessee Icon
Tennessee has no shortage of attractions, from the Grand Ole Opry to Graceland, but the Airplane Gas Station holds its own special place. It represents a different kind of tourism: the appreciation of everyday Americana and the preservation of quirky commercial architecture. Not every icon needs to be grand or famous; sometimes the most beloved landmarks are the unexpected ones.
The building’s survival is itself remarkable. So many similar structures across America have been demolished in the name of progress. That this one was saved, restored, and continues to attract visitors shows how communities can rally around unique local treasures. Its iconic status comes from being both rare and accessible.
The building proves that preserving architectural oddities isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about maintaining character and giving people reasons to slow down, stop, and appreciate the unexpected creativity that makes American roadsides endlessly fascinating.
