If you think a Route 66 landmark faces imminent danger from the wrecking ball, you can do something that might make a difference.
Kaisa Bartuli at the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is recommending that roadies make nominations to the National Trust for Historic Preservation‘s list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2014. She explained in an email:
The primary focus of listing on the 11 Most list is to raise awareness about sites and threats to their existence. A number of past 11 Most listings are also now National Treasures (a relatively new program within the National Trust), which receive more in-depth assistance from the Trust on specific challenges. The listing of one or more Route 66 sites would bring important attention to Route 66 […]. Even if some or all of the nominated sites are not listed, the simple act of submitting the nominations raises important awareness within the National Trust.
Route 66 motels made the 11 Most Endangered list in 2007, and a similar listing later helped save the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., from destruction. The Boots Motel is operating as a motel again after a decade-long hiatus.
The 1921 Rock Creek Bridge near Sapulpa, Okla., closed to traffic about a year ago because of physical deterioration, probably would be a good nomination. But if there are other endangered Route 66 properties you’d like to nominate, you can do so with this online form here. The deadline to make a submission is March 3.
(Image of the Rock Creek Bridge near Sapulpa, Okla., by David Sugden via Flickr)
Let the bridge live again!!