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THE ROUTE 66 CO-OP

Saving the historically significant Painted Desert Trading Post became urgent once the failing foundation caused the walls to buckle and sink into the desert sand. Having been abandoned for six decades and with no protection from rain, snow, wind and sand erosion, and damage from cattle, by the mid-2000s the building was on the verge of collapse.

The absentee owner of the property had been contacted several times, and had tentatively agreed to accept help in preserving it, but the go-ahead was never given. Then, in early 2018, the trading post was put up for sale. Co-Op founder Rich Dinkela was contacted by the owner, and within twenty-four hours he had commitments from eight other like-minded roadies to pony up and purchase the property.

After three work sessions and hundreds of hours of volunteer labor, the Co-Op succeeded in raising and straightening the walls, replacing the entire roof structure, and installing a new foundation. Virtually all of this was done by Co-Op members and roadie volunteers, whose diverse backgrounds brought the skills needed to do the work. More of the rescue story can be found on the PRESERVATION page and the RESCUE REPORT page.

Members of the Route 66 Co-Op are (alphabetically):

Rich Dinkela, St. Louis, Missouri
Business owner, preservationist, president of the Missouri Route 66 Association.

Nick Gerlich, Canyon, Texas
Professor of Marketing at West Texas A&M University, former president of the Old Route 66 Association of Texas.

Frank P. Maloney, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Associate Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Villanova University, Route 66 researcher and advocate.

Ryan Maloney, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
Engineering Physicist, Juris Doctor, Route 66 enthusiast.

Steve Rider, Albany, New York
Retired educator, collector, Route 66 historian.

Jim Ross & Shellee Graham, Arcadia, Oklahoma
Route 66 historians, preservationists, and authors.

Richard & Judy Walker, Springfield, Missouri
Route 66 preservationists, advocates, and photographers.

Mike Ward, Mesa, Arizona
Retired U.S. Air Force, Route 66 ambassador, preservationist.

David Wickline, Columbus, Ohio
Former building contractor, Route 66 preservationist, author.