The Baxter Springs Route 66 Visitors Center in Baxter Springs, Kan., was recognized Friday by the National Park Service as “a place that matters,” according to a report by the Joplin (Mo.) Globe.
Kaisa Barthuli of the NPS’ Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program noted that volunteers used 1,200 hours to restore the 1930 gas station two years ago.
She referred to the recent Ken Burns series on public television, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” She said it was full of examples where ordinary people made a difference in establishing and guiding the National Park Service. […]
“It’s just extraordinary what can happen on 13 miles of road,” Barthuli said, referring to the length of Route 66 in Kansas. “Nowhere is that as clear as it is here in Kansas.”
Barthuli gave a commemorative plaque to Carolyn Pendleton, director of the visitors center.