Crew from "Preserve Route 66
Road Trip" Visits El Pueblo Motel
by Krista Ames-Cook
August 3, 2018
FLAGSTAFF, Az. – On July 2, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced plans to pursue National Historic Trail status for the “Main Street of America,” more famously known as “Route 66.” The campaign’s centerpiece was a “Preserve Route 66 Road Trip” sponsored by State Farm Insurance. Its goal: travel the 2,400-mile distance from Chicago to Los Angeles, making designated stops along the way to raise awareness and protect this piece of Americana.
During the month-long road trip, the National Trust was building support for Route 66’s National Historic Trail designation with stops like Flagstaff. The goal is to gather signatures on a petition to preserve the “Mother Road.” Established in 1926, Route 66 has become an iconic part of America’s culture. The diners, gas stations, roadside attractions and neon signs that greeted travelers back in the day are just part of the charm that groups like the National Trust are working to preserve.
Although Route 66 was officially decommissioned, the lure to travel the old historic highway attracts tourists from around the world. According to the National Trust’s website, this permanent designation will bring greater public interest and investment to the communities along the iconic highway and encourage economic revitalization. The "Preserve Route 66 Road Trip" crew included five roadies (one week each), three National Trust staff members (rotating a week at a time) and one photographer.
The road trip was also documenting stories about Route 66 at its designated stops. One of these stories took place at El Pueblo Motel during World War II. In the 1940s, Navajo code-talkers were originally recruited and trained at this motel. At an event in Flagstaff on July 28, 2018, Thomas H. Begay, Navajo Code Talker, attended with his family.
Another attendee was the daughter of a deceased Code Talker, Johnnie Alfred. “I first learned my father had been a Code Talker from the radio in the early 1970s,” said Shirley (Alfred) Haswood. She went on to explain that her father said they (Code Talkers) were instructed to never talk about their role in the war. Today, less than a dozen Code Talkers are still alive. Additionally, the El Pueblo Motel is up for sale and faces an uncertain future.
In addition to being one of the oldest motels in Flagstaff on Route 66, descendants of the Navajo Code Talkers would like to see El Pueblo Motel kept open and possibly turned in to a Code Talker Museum to keep their family members’ memories alive. Local real estate agent, Jacquie Kellogg, is actively working to turn the motel into a Code Talkers museum and monument. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, the motel is listed for sale at $2 million, which covers only the cost of the building itself. Kellogg's goal is to crowdfund enough money to buy the structure and then donate it to a foundation who can run it as a museum.
National Historic Trails are designated by Congress. There are currently 19 official trails, including four in California. "Route 66 would be the only national historic trail, from point A to point B, that is accessible by automobile," said Diana Tisue, National Trust staff member.
Legislation H.R. 801 to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail has passed the House, but is pending approval by a Senate committee. The designation would have no additional regulations and would offer opportunities for funding and cooperative agreements. Landowners along the route will maintain their property rights. No restrictions will be placed on the businesses that make Route 66 so unique.
The National Trust is among several groups working to preserve Route 66. Interest for protecting the Mother Road goes beyond the eight states through which the route travels. Experience Route 66 up close and personal with this virtual tour. For more information about the National Trust’s efforts to preserve Route 66, visit SavingPlaces.org.