The former Santo Domingo Trading Post along old Route 66 north of Albuquerque was awarded a $1 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration to restore the property, reported the New Mexico Business Weekly.
The trading post is on Kewa Pueblo, formerly called Santo Domingo.
From the report:
The trading post is adjacent to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express stop on the pueblo. It was consumed by a fire in 2001. Pueblo officials expect the revitalized trading post to generate 30 jobs. Plans for the site include a restaurant and other services for Rail Runner commuters, tourists and local residents.
The dilapidated building still bears a faded sign that proclaims “where real Indians trade” and was on Historic Route 66 and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe rail line. That made it a well-known tourist stop for the Southwest Chief and motorists. Dignitaries, including President John F. Kennedy, visited the spot as well.
The trading post was listed on the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties in 1997 and on the National Register of Historic Properties in 1998. Tony Tortalita, governor of Kewa Pueblo, said the trading post has been an icon of the pueblo’s history and the plan is to use it to showcase its culture and traditions through arts and crafts.
Some photos of the old Santo Domingo Trading Post can be found here.
Was it arson as suspected? It’s just to bad with it being one of the oldest trading post & historic sight. I shure hope it can be built back as it was. It was one of the things I wanted to see & hope I still will. God Bless, Gene