On Friday, the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program of the National Park Service announced its cost-share grant awards for 2007. These grants cover 50 percent of the cost of historic properties’ preservation efforts or programs about Route 66.
John Osterman Gas Station, Peach Springs, Ariz., $28,000 grant. From 1929 until its recent closure, the station served customers on the Mother Road. The Hualapai Indian tribe plans to rehab the building and bring back fuel service.
Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Ariz., $10,685 grant. This grant for the popular teepee-shaped motel complex will be used for plumbing and concrete base repairs.
Town of Amboy, Calif., $30,000 grant. Funds will be used to develop a preservation plan for select historic buildings in the nearly deserted Mojave Desert town, including Roy’s.
Ariston Cafe, Litchfield, Ill., $13,000 grant. Funds will be used for a new roof and a long-term preservation plan for a restaurant that has operated on Route 66 since 1935.
Sprague Super Service Station, Normal, Ill., $20,000 grant. Built in 1932, this Tudor-style gas station will get a new roof and a condition assessment as part of long-range rehabilitation plans to convert it into a diner, bed-and-breakfast, vistors center and events site.
Curt Teich postcard collection archive, Lake County, Ill., $8,000 grant. Teich had one of the largest collections of Route 66 and other travel-related images. Funds will be used to scan and catalog the collection, which will eventually be made available to the public at the Digital Past site.
Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, N.M., $8,000 grant. The money will be used to repair the historic motel’s windows and distinctive neon that were damaged during a severe storm.
Santo Domingo Trading Post, between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, N.M., $17,000 grant. This trading post was severely damaged a few years ago by fire. However, the Santo Domingo Indian tribe plans to rehab the structure — which remains 85 percent intact — as a trading post or interpretive center.
Triangle Motel, Amarillo, Texas, $26,056 grant. This long-neglected 1940s motel was saved from the wrecking ball by its new owners, who hope to reopen it as a motel again. Funds will be used for emergency stabilization and to form a long-term preservation plan.
Route 66 curriculum development, Central Connecticut State University, $2,775 grant. This project wants to develop a curriculum guide for university audiences and help public schools educate their students in a variety of classes, using Route 66.
For more about the grants and recipients, including photos, see this four-page Acrobat document.
I especially was happy to see the grant go to the Curt Teich postcard collection in Wauconda, which is about ten miles from my house.
This is an impressive collection, especially valuable for the ones of Lincoln Highway and Route 66. It will be a great day when it all goes on line.
Ron, are you going to Springfield this weekend? A bunch of us are meeting Friday at the CoR Bridge and at the Alamo downtown on Saturday. Also planning on going up to the Pig Hip dedication on Friday.
Nope. I’m begging off of Springfield this year. However, I’m hitting the road soon, with reports to follow.