Stories surround us, they connect and inspire. Many of Vail’s defining moments have taken place in and around the 1908 Old Vail Store & Post Office. This simple adobe was the hub of civic and business life for a roughly 20 square mile area from 1908 through 1992 when its doors closed. It is the sole remaining pre-statehood building in Vail. It is ready for its next chapter.
Located Between the Tracks ä at Vail’s original townsite, the 1908 Old Vail Store & Post Office sits at the intersection of Old Vail and Colossal Cave Roads – the crossroads of heritage and what’s next for Vail. Relationships, special places, shared memories, and plans for the future, these are things that define a community and create lasting connections. They turn a bedroom community into a hometown.
The humble adobe building, was constructed by German immigrant Otto Schley, when his wooden store burned in March of 1908. Not one to give up, by August 1908 he had rebuilt his store. Otto’s “new” adobe store is defined by its utilitarianism and simplicity. Locally available materials were used: adobe, stone rubble, and lime plaster. And, salvaged, repurposed wooden railroad packing crates marked with Vail A.T. (Arizona Territory) were used to make the ceiling. It reflects the hardy, ‘can-do’ and ‘make-do’ entrepreneurial spirit so characteristic of the individuals who made a life for themselves in Vail, Arizona Territory. It will be adaptively repurposed as the Vail Welcome & Heritage Center. Many sustainable and re-use strategies will be incorporated into the building’s rehabilitation.
When completed, locals and visitors will enjoy art created by Cienega H.S. TSW Artists & Artisans and local artists, coffee, old-fashioned treats, programs, live music, snow cones and will discover local recreational opportunities and uniquely Vail businesses along the Vail Connects Arizona Main Street Corridor. Heritage preservation is good for people and the places they call home. Local history, shared experiences, visual landmarks and stories are the invisible glue that connect us and build a caring community. A community that knows itself, where civic engagement and entrepreneurship is encouraged and businesses thrive.
Getting here has been an eleven-year journey with many twists and turns. What is important now is that we have never lost the vision for the importance this building has for Vail’s future. We have the passion to complete the task, the will to raise the funds, expert consultants on board, a long-term lease, and a great group of committed volunteers and partners. Each and every resident is crucially important to project success-whether you volunteer, attend a work day or fundraising event, make a donation, or become a business sponsor – you are part of creating a legacy that inspires the future resident’s vision for Vail, one that strengthens community connections. Together we are rekindling the heart of Vail where our hometown began in 1880.
On October 28th we kicked off our campaign to raise $100,000 by October 2018. Together we “can-do” this and make downtown Vail beautiful. For more information email vailpreservationsociety@gmail.com or call 520-419-4428
To learn more about the Old Vail Post Office and donate go to www.vailpreservtionsociety.org
