Weird California
Weird California
Weird California - By Joe Parzanese

Sinclair Dinosaurs

Map Alamo Sinclair
1 Broadway Street, Alamo, Nevada 89001

Map Dale's Sinclair
1625 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, Nevada 89005

Map 880 Front Street, Caliente, Nevada 89008

Map 1530 West Texas Street, Fairfield, California 94533

Map Bell Plastics
2020 National Ave, Hayward, California 94541

Map 5680 S Pecos Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89120

Map 2151 North Rancho Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89106
(W. Lake Mead Boulevard and N. Rancho Dr)

Map 4005 N Rancho Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130

Map 14749 North Thornton Road, Lodi, California 95242

Map 32787 CA-18, Lucerne Valley, California 92356

Map 940 Morro Bay Boulevard, Morro Bay, California 93442

Map 1637 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, California 90731

Map 570 E Street, Williams, California 95987

Sinclair Dinosaur in Lodi, CA
Sinclair Dinosaur in Lodi, CA

Sinclair Dinosaur in Las Vegas
Sinclair Dinosaur in Las Vegas

The Sinclair Oil Corporation has been around since May 1st, 1916 when Harry Sinclair combined eleven different petroleum companies into one. In 1930, the corporation chose as its logo a silhouette of a large green dinosaur, at the time known as a brontosaurus. This cute green dinosaur is the company's mascot and it made its first appearance at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933 - 1934. Over the next several decades, Dino, the brontosaurus mascot would make many other appearances, often with his friends, other dinosaurs including a T-Rex and a Stegosaurus, among other dinosaurs species. Some of these dinosaurs are still on display at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas. By the sixties and seventies they had several fiberglass statues made by International Fiberglass of their green sauropod, placing them at various service stations.

International Fiberglass made them in two different sizes - a 12 foot long, 4 and 1/2 foot wide, 85 pound version and an 8 foot, 3 and 1/2 foot, 60 pound version. Since Sinclair did not have an exclusive contract with International Fiberglass, as long as the dinosaur was painted a different color, the company could sell the same type of statue to other buyers, and often did, causing non green Sinclair Dinosaurs to appear in places like miniature golf courses. After International Fiberglass no longer operated and Sinclair decided to make more fiberglass mascots, a mold was taken from an existing statue.

Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur

Although pretty common in other states, especially Colorado, these green fiberglass statues, until recently, had very little presence on the West Coast. California only had one Sinclair Dinosaur, a colorfully painted relic probably from a former service station that originally was located at a Shoe Biz store in San Francisco. I'm not even sure he was an actual Sinclair Dinosaur, but he had resided at the store on Haight Street since 1975, often changing colors and declaring that no one sit on him. Sadly he was stolen at the end of January 2016, but was returned anonymously all repainted. The location is a different business now.

Sinclair Dinosaur
Sinclair Dinosaur
Sinclair Dinosaur
Sinclair Dinosaur
Sinclair Dinosaur
Sinclair Dinosaur

California

But luckily for lovers of fiberglass dinosaurs, over the past few years there's been a return of Dino, the Sinclair Dinosaur, to both California and Nevada as both states have seen more Sinclair branded service stations slowly popping up all over the place. For example, in California, in 2013 a Union 76 station in Lodi changed into a Sinclair Station and received a genuine Sinclair Dinosaur. He sits perched up on a rock pile. In 2014, a Shell station in Chico changed into a Sinclair Station and also received a genuine Sinclair Dinosaur. 2015 saw a new Sinclair Station in San Pedro, also with their own dinosaur.

San Pedro Sinclair Dinosaur
San Pedro Sinclair Dinosaur
San Pedro Sinclair Dinosaur
San Pedro Sinclair Dinosaur
Lodi Sinclair Dinosaur
Lodi Sinclair Dinosaur
Lodi Sinclair Dinosaur
Lodi Sinclair Dinosaur

Although now named by science as an Apatosaurus, Sinclair Dinosaurs have also found homes in both Fresno and Fairfield. Although when I stopped by, the top of her head was uncovered, the Fairfield dinosaur has been known to occasionally wear a hat in order to keep the sun out of her face, while over in Fresno, there are actually four Sinclair dinosaurs at four separate stations, one even rumored to be a sweater wearing Apatosaurus! A local group makes clothes for the dinosaur, supposedly covertly dressing him so no one knows when a new outfit will show up. And I think there might be even more Sinclair Dinosaurs in Fresno! Another one hangs out east of Fresno in Reedley

Fairfield Sinclair Dinosaur
Fairfield Sinclair Dinosaur
Fairfield Sinclair Dinosaur
Fairfield Sinclair Dinosaur
The Fairfield Sinclair Dinosaur wears a hat!
The Fairfield Sinclair Dinosaur wears a hat!

Not surprisingly, Bell Plastics in Hayward acquired a Sinclair Dinosaur in 2016. Bell Plastics is known for its multitude of fiberglass statues including several Muffler Men, Doggie Diner heads, and other fiberglass giants! The owner, Bruce Kennedy, collects fiberglass statues. They have a small Sinclair Dinosaur proudly displayed up on a pole, looming over several other fiberglass statues.

Sinclair Dinosaur at Bell Plastics
Sinclair Dinosaur at Bell Plastics
Sinclair Dinosaur at Bell Plastics
Sinclair Dinosaur at Bell Plastics
Sinclair Dinosaur at Bell Plastics
Sinclair Dinosaur at Bell Plastics

Along Interstate 15 is Hesperia, which once had a Sinclair Dinosaur. Sadly, it wasn't there very long. Their Sinclair Dinosaur was located behind a low white fence in front of the convenience store portion of the service station appropriately called "Dino Mart". It was freshly painted and in great condition. It was the only dinosaur I've seen besides the Bell Plastics one that has the head coming off and to the right, rather than the left. The service station closed in either late 2018 or early 2019. The dinosaur is now gone.

Hesperia Sinclair Dinosaur
Hesperia Sinclair Dinosaur
Hesperia Sinclair Dinosaur
Hesperia Sinclair Dinosaur
Hesperia Sinclair Dinosaur
Hesperia Sinclair Dinosaur
Dino Mart in Hesperia
Dino Mart in Hesperia

Although the Sinclair Station in Hesperia has closed, 25 miles east of it, in Lucerne Valley, another Sinclair Station has opened. The setup is the same. A Sinclair dinosaur with the head going off to the right located behind a white fence in front of the convenience store portion of the location. It's almost exactly the same as the Hesperia location. I'd almost say that they just moved the dinosaur down the street 25 miles. When I stopped by, the dinosaur was celebrating Easter by wearing some bunny ears on its head. Eggs were also draped on its white fence.

Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley

In 2019, another Sinclair Dinosaur popped up with the head going off to the right. This one on the central coast in Morro Bay. It seems a little light, and may be made out of cheaper materials, however, perhaps some sort of light plastic, instead of fiberglass. Regardless, there is a very nice dinosaur sitting there in Morro Bay. It was wearing a little thing around its neck the day I visited, and was in good condition.

Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Morro Bay Sinclair Dinosaur
Sinclair Dinosaur in Williams
Sinclair Dinosaur in Williams

Poor Man's Bronze in Jackson has a replica of a Sinclair Dinosaur that hangs out there, possibly also with a giant chicken. In addition, we've also identified Sinclair Dinosaurs in Auburn, Campo, Farmersville, Indio, Livingstone, Placerville, Williams and Yuba City! You can see Cole Lundsten showing off the Williams Sinclair Dinosaur! It is perfectly placed to get the city's name bearing arch in the background.

Nevada

Not to be outdone, Nevada is also getting into the act of harboring Sinclair Dinosaurs. I have found three different dinosaurs in Las Vegas alone, and I believe there might be as many as six dinosaurs in that area! One of the Las Vegas dinosaurs appears to have been at the station for a fair amount of time, the others appear relatively new or brand new. I wouldn't be surprised if more appeared in the city soon. Right now two are at stations on Rancho and the third can be found on Pecos Road.

Las Vegas (2151 N. Rancho)
Las Vegas (2151 N. Rancho)
Las Vegas (4005 N. Rancho)
Las Vegas (4005 N. Rancho)
Las Vegas (Pecos Road)
Las Vegas (Pecos Road)

Another Sinclair Dinosaur resides nearby to Las Vegas in Boulder City. This dinosaur stands in front of the station's car wash. Although most of the Nevada dinosaurs appear to currently be clustered in Clark County, the small town of Verdi, west of Reno, along Interstate 80, near the California border also has one. As does the towns of Alamo and Caliente northeast of Vegas. Alamo's dinosaur is often decorated for the holidays.

Alamo Sinclair Dinosaur
Alamo Sinclair Dinosaur
Caliente Sinclair Dinosaur
Caliente Sinclair Dinosaur
Boulder City Sinclair Dinosaur
Boulder City Sinclair Dinosaur
Boulder City Sinclair Dinosaur
Boulder City Sinclair Dinosaur

So as more dinosaurs migrate into the states of California and Nevada, we'll be on the look out for them! Please let us know if there are more than the ones we've listed below and, of course, we can use pictures of several of them!

Las Vegas (Pecos Road) Sinclair Dinosaur
Las Vegas (Pecos Road) Sinclair Dinosaur
Las Vegas (Pecos Road) Sinclair Dinosaur
Las Vegas (Pecos Road) Sinclair Dinosaur
Alamo Dinosaur celebrating Graduation
Alamo Dinosaur celebrating Graduation
Boulder City Sinclair Dinosaur
Boulder City Sinclair Dinosaur

California Sinclair Dinosaurs

Nevada Sinclair Dinosaurs

Tiffany with the Hesperia Dinosaur
Tiffany with the Hesperia Dinosaur
Tiffany checks out a Sinclair Dinosaur in Las Vegas
Tiffany checks out a Sinclair Dinosaur in Las Vegas
Tiffany checks out a Sinclair Dinosaur in Las Vegas
Tiffany checks out a Sinclair Dinosaur in Las Vegas
Tiffany in Morro Bay
Tiffany in Morro Bay
Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley

Sadly there exists Sinclair Gas Stations that DON'T have a dinosaur. We do not understand the point of such a station. I mean who would want to fill up their car with gas and not get to enjoy a small green dinosaur? Additionally, Dino was seen in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in 2015, the first time since 1976! And remember that comedy television series in the early 1990's called "Dinosaurs" which starred a family of dinosaurs called the Sinclairs? Well, I'm sure you can guess where their name originated from.

  • One Lodi photo courtesy of David Oberholzer
  • Fairfield photo with hat courtesy of Morgan Mathewson
  • Williams photo courtesy of Colean Lundsten.

  • Comments:

    • Daniel of Lincoln, Ca on 2023-07-17 said:

        There used to be a Sinclair Dino in Paradise, California, but sadly the Paradise Dino perished in the Camp Fire. Does anyone have a photo of the Paradise Sinclair Dino?

    • Mike Flynn of Palm Desert, CA on 2021-07-19 said:

        I currently work at a Sinclair gas station in Palm Desert, California on HWY 111 & Deep Canyon. We switched from a Chevron to Sinclair about 8 months ago and the prep is already being done on the corner for the Dino! So get ready to add another location on the list.

    • Grace Clark of Folsom , CA on 2018-08-05 said:

        In Chowchilla, CA, there is an old mini mart on Robert's Blvd., aka Highway 233, that has an old Sinclair dino. The next time we are down there visiting my dad, we will get a photo. We forgot last time because we couldn't wait to get home as the kids were out of control.

    • Mike Garland of Hillsboro, Oregon on 2018-07-21 said:

        There is a Sinclair dinosaur located at the station in Goldendale, Washington.

    • Alli of Paso Robles, CA on 2017-05-29 said:

        I love those Sinclair dinosaurs. We just got a Sinclair in Paso Robles, CA, however, our location does not have a dinosaur..but we want one!

    First Created: 2016-05-18
    Last Edited: 2021-07-25


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