Santo Domingo Trading Post wins a large grant

The historic Santo Domingo Trading Post along old Route 66 in Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico, earned a half-million-dollar federal grant for its renovations, according to a news release from U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico.

The $511,118 comes from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

The project revives an historic Native American tourist attraction and increases retail opportunities for native artists who produce world-renown jewelry, pottery and other artisan goods, which will stimulate the regional economy.

“Small business is the backbone of New Mexico’s economy, and the EDA’s partnership with ACCION will provide much-needed support to budding entrepreneurs across the state,” Udall said. “Similarly, the continued restoration of Santo Domingo Trading Post, which was all but lost in a 2001 fire, will help preserve this cultural landmark and provide economic opportunities to the Pueblo’s artisans.”

“This grant will help bring the Santo Domingo Trading Post a step closer toward full restoration,” Heinrich said. “The Trading Post plays an important role as a marketplace that helps grow the local economy. I’m also pleased the EDA has made investments in promoting entrepreneurship by funding New Mexico’s ACCION Presto Loan pilot program. When women, veterans, and other aspiring entrepreneurs have the opportunity to gain access to capital to start their businesses, it helps create jobs and spurs the economy.”

The Seligman family, which were traders in the Southwest, built the two-story trading post in 1922 that incorporated a one-story 1880 building to the structure. The village became part of Route 66 from 1926 to 1937. President John F. Kennedy reportedly visited it in 1962. The Pueblo of Santo Domingo now owns the property, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Except for the outer walls, the trading post was destroyed by fire in 2001. Since then, the front half of two-story building was restored. However, the 1880 part of the complex was lost in the fire.

(Old postcard image of Santo Domingo Trading Post courtesy of 66Postcards.com; restored image of trading post via Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program)

3 thoughts on “Santo Domingo Trading Post wins a large grant

  1. I’m glad someone is making use of my tax dollars. I feel as thought government is prejudice toward those that aren’t Native Americans. I applied for grant of $25000.0 and was denied. I don’t have nothing against Native Americans. I love their culture and way of life. But I shouldn’t haven’t to beg and beg for little help. Especially when I am paying taxes.

  2. This is pretty exciting news, IMO! It’s a wise decision, really, as locally-made and hand-crafted goods sold by those who’ve made them are increasingly popular. Hope this is successful (and open the next time I roll through town!).

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