Craters of the Moon Mission 66 Historic District

Regions 8, 9, 10, and 12 Cultural Landscapes Program

l Monument Mission 66 Historic District is located in Craters of the Moon National Monument, 18 miles west of the small town (pop. 910 in 2013) of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93 and 24 miles east of the even smaller town (pop. 600 in 2013) of Carey, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93. The district encompasses the original monument headquarters, campground, and a 7-mile scenic loop road circulation system. It is situated in a volcanic landscape, characterized by black lava and cinder cones in a setting of mature sagebrush steppe with occasional limber pines. The historic district is a fully implemented plan consistent with the original Mission 66 design for Craters of the Moon National Monument. The headquarters area contains eleven buildings: a visitor center, utility building, employee apartment building, duplex, and three single-family employee residences (4 non-contributing storage sheds behind houses). Also, the campground contains a 2008 vault toilet (non-contributing) Mission 66 comfort station, 1934 log comfort station, adjacent 1958 entrance station kiosk(non-contributing), and nearby the 1932 log equipment shed. The 7-mile Loop Road contains nine turnouts/viewpoints, seven trailhead parking areas, and four spur roads. The setting of the headquarters complex with its residential area, campground, and circulation system has changed very little since it was constructed. There have been no buildings added since that time and none have been removed, although two of the buildings have received compatible additions. The buildings are largely in their original condition and reflect a high level of integrity, in terms of design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. All, but one, are still used for their original purposes. Although the monument has been enlarged since its establishment and is now a 464,303 acre national monument and preserve, the experience for visitors entering this main developed area remains virtually the same as it was when the area was designed during Mission 66. The buildings and circulation system are nearly indistinguishable from when they were first designed and constructed. The district is also the only representation of the NPS Mission 66 period in Idaho. Since its construction, minor changes to the historic district have occurred, such as removal of the original grass lawn areas and the planting of native shrubs and trees in its stead; constructing compatible additions to the visitor center and utility building; - widening some parts of the roadway and parking areas to accommodate larger vehicles; and adding accessible parking spaces and campsites. In addition, the Mission 66 entrance station was moved approximately 800 feet east from original location that was in the campground (CRMO GMP, 1992).

Craters of the Moon Mission 66 Historic District

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