Grant funds rehab, preservation of historic buildings along Route 66 in Arizona

WINSLOW, AZ (AZFamily) — Historic buildings along Route 66 could be brought back to life thanks to a new federal grant meant to support preservation and businesses in rural northern Arizona.

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded $585,000 in grant funding to the Arizona State Parks and Trails’ State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to drive economic development in rural areas along the 385-mile stretch of the Mother Road within Arizona.

Through its Arizona Route 66 Revitalization Subgrant Program, SHPO will provide grants of up to $100,000 to rehab historic motels, gas stations, trading posts, civic buildings and other sites that were once vital for travelers.

The SHPO subgrant program also includes extensive outreach, technical and planning support through its partner organizations, the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, Local First Arizona and the Arizona Preservation Foundation.

Partners say the program delivers much-needed investment in rural communities and has been proven to pay off to help the people who live there.

“The La Posada Hotel stands as proof: once abandoned, this Winslow landmark now anchors economic revitalization, drawing thousands of visitors annually and supporting dozens of local jobs,” Arizona Preservation Foundation President Jim McPherson said in a statement. “The recently restored Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs promises similar renewal for a community that needs it most.”

McPherson says the examples prove preservation funding doesn’t just save buildings, but “rebuilds economies, restores civic pride, and creates sustainable futures for small towns along the Mother Road.”

There are more than 250 buildings, bridges, road alignments and other sites along Route 66 that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to NPS. Next year marks the road’s centennial celebration.

Eligibility information and how to apply for the Arizona Route 66 Revitalization Subgrant Program will be available at AZStateParks.com/SHPO in early December.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.