Forgotten San Antonio Gas Station Transformed into Doggy Daycare

The historic Humble Oil Service Station gets new life as a pet lover's paradise.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A long-forgotten Humble Oil Service Station in San Antonio's Southside neighborhood has been renovated and repurposed as a pet daycare facility. The station, which dates back to the 1930s or 1950s, fell into disrepair over the decades after Humble Oil was absorbed into Exxon in the 1970s. But in 2012, the building was restored and a second location of Lucy's Doggy Daycare and Spa opened next door, bringing new life to the historic structure.

Why it matters

The transformation of this forgotten gas station highlights the resilience of San Antonio's historic buildings and the ability to breathe new life into them through creative repurposing. As the city continues to evolve, preserving and reimagining these vestiges of the past can help maintain the city's unique character and identity.

The details

The Humble Oil Service Station at 1019 S. Laredo St. is considered one of the last of its kind still intact in San Antonio. The building, with its distinctive white facade and blue tiles, was likely built in the 1930s or 1950s as part of the Humble Oil company's expansion across Texas. After Humble was absorbed into Exxon in the 1970s, the station fell into disrepair, with the building looking dilapidated by the 2000s. But in 2012, local real estate developer Dennis Stein's company acquired the property and partnered with Max Golman to open a second location of Lucy's Doggy Daycare and Spa next door, restoring the old gas station in the process.

  • The Humble Oil Service Station was likely built in the 1930s or 1950s.
  • In 1973, Humble Oil was absorbed into Exxon Company, U.S.A.
  • By 1977, the building was likely abandoned.
  • In 2012, the property was acquired and the building was restored.
  • In 2012, Lucy's Doggy Daycare and Spa opened a second location next door.

The players

SteinReal Family Limited Partnership

A local real estate development company headed by Dennis Stein, which owns the 1019 S. Laredo St. property and the adjacent Lucy's Doggy Day Care and Spa.

Max Golman

Stein's business partner who opened the second location of Lucy's Doggy Daycare and Spa next to the restored Humble Oil Service Station.

Humble Oil

The oil company that founded the service station in the early-to-mid 20th century, which was later absorbed into Exxon in 1973.

Lucy's Doggy Daycare and Spa

The pet care business that opened a second location in the renovated Humble Oil Service Station building in 2012.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Antonio, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The transformation of this forgotten gas station into a thriving doggy daycare highlights San Antonio's ability to preserve its historic buildings and give them new life. As the city continues to evolve, creative repurposing of these unique structures can help maintain the city's character and identity.