A group of volunteers a few days ago finished the penultimate work session to shore up the historic but long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona.
Chaz Baldwin on Sunday posted several photos of the just-completed work, including vintage images:
Mike Ward, one of the members of the Route 66 Co-op that owns the property, gave details of the work:
The first two days have focused primarily on stucco work as it has to be completed so it will be ready for the lettering of the building sometime later this year. Work is also being done on the window framing as well as work on the roof to prepare for the installation of the metal parapet flashing around the roof edge. […]
More work was done on installing and painting the window frames as well as beginning work on installing two old doors in the original door openings on the east side and northwest corner of the building.
Steve Rider wrote on Thursday:
Day 4 of the workweek saw stiff breezes much of the day, making work difficult at times. Nonetheless, all the objectives for the week have been completed and we will leave the trading post ready for the final work session, when the exterior will be painted and the lettering restored. All the windows and doors have been framed and two doors installed. The roof cap was installed to help protect the tops of the walls. Window and door frames were painted.
The improvement of the trading post has been pretty dramatic the past three years or so. It previously was in imminent danger of collapsing after decades of neglect.
You can follow the group’s activities on the Route 66 Painted Desert Trading Post group on Facebook.
The Route 66 Co-op also was selling T-shirts to help finance the renovations, though it appeared they were already sold out before the weekend. One still can donate through the website.
The Route 66 Co-op several years ago received a $20,000 cost-share grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to stabilize the trading post’s walls, roof and foundation.
Dotch Windsor and his first wife, Alberta, opened the Painted Desert Trading Post along Route 66 during the early 1940s. Even along the Mother Road, it was a remote outpost with no electricity or telephone service. Only gravity pumps dispensed fuel.
It closed by the late 1950s after being bypassed by a new alignment of Route 66. The Painted Desert Trading Post, located several miles from Interstate 40, remains inaccessible except for a locked gate. Those who wish to visit the trading post via Pinta Road can use these new instructions to unlock the road’s main gate.
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Just looked through the pics here and on facebook. Congratulations to all involved, what a big job and done well!
Danny, (Australia)
Rte66 2015 – all the way.
On Tuesday, MAY 25th, the fundraiser ENDS at midnight. Our goal was 100 shirts and we have already surpassed the goal – so when I see 112 shirts sold already, it is even more of a blessing. Thank YOU all so much for your fantastic support of the Painted Desert Trading Post project.