Osterman Gas Station: Fueling History on the Mother Road
Explore a forgotten icon in Peach Springs, Arizona.
Hualapai River RunnersArizona Preservation Foundation
Home of the Hualapai
Northern Arizona is home to the Hualapai Nation. The Hualapai have lived in Northern Arizona for centuries, deeply connected to the land’s canyons, rivers, and deserts.
Their rich traditions include storytelling, art, and ceremonies that honor their ancestors and natural surroundings, preserving a vibrant cultural identity. The tribe’s administrative base is located in Peach Springs, a small town along Route 66.
Route 66 once brought commerce and visitors to Hualapai lands, supporting local businesses like those in Peach Springs. However, when Interstate 40 was built, it bypassed many tribal communities, leading to economic decline and the disruption of traditional ways of life, forcing towns like Peach Springs into isolation.
John Osterman Gas StationArizona Preservation Foundation
Forgotten icon
Out of five original gas stations in the town, only the Osterman Gas Station remains. Once a classic Route 66 trading post, the gas station fell into disrepair when the town was bypassed. Today, the Hualapai people and preservation advocates are fighting to save it.
Osterman Gas Station (2020-10-30) by John LaBarberaArizona Preservation Foundation
Preservation takes time
However, the tribe faces challenges in obtaining sufficient funding for full restoration. Limited access to specialized preservation experts and resources, combined with competing community priorities, makes it difficult to move restoration from planning to action.
Documenting history
The Hualapai Nation has documented the historical significance of the Osterman Gas Station and secured its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. They have raised local awareness and are partnering with preservation groups to restore the building.
Lists are a good thing
In 2023, with the Hualapai Nation's blessing, the building was named one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, bringing attention to its current condition and future potential.
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Looking to the future
With this recognition came financial support. With local awareness and partnerships, this gas station will be restored. The restoration process is now underway, and is expected to be completed by 2026.
Funding was vital to restoring the historic site. After the completion of the restoration, the Hualapai aim to use the station as a place to share the area’s history and for tribal members to sell their pottery, jewelry, and other crafts.
Osterman Gas Station (2024-11) by Rhys MartinArizona Preservation Foundation
Deep meaning
Osterman’s story highlights broader issues of indigenous sovereignty and cultural preservation, showing how historic landmarks on Native lands carry deep meaning and face unique challenges from infrastructure changes. Learn more here.
Written by Reese Finnigan. Images sourced by Reese Finnigan and Brook Crowell.
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