402 13th Street | Belle Plaine, IA 52208
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Capital Campaign Overview
AN INVESTMENT IN A LEGACY CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
Vision – Restore and preserve Preston’s Station Historic District as an economic and educational resource with viable services for travelers and visitors along the Lincoln Highway in Belle Plaine, Benton County, Iowa.
Project Overview
To 1920’s travelers along the historical Lincoln Highway, Preston’s Station in Belle Plaine, Iowa provided a 3-room motel and 2-room cabin for much needed overnight accommodations, a gas station and auto repair services, often a sight for sore (and weary) eyes on their journey across the country. Today, Preston’s represents a historical, small-town roadside family-owned and operated business, a reflection of a time when honest and genuine concerns for anyone passing through could be counted on.
Family history, as often told by George H. was his father purchased the 1912 filling station located at the corner of 7thAvenue and 19th Street for $100 in 1923 from Frank Fiene for his sons and moved it to the south/front of the family home at the corner of 4thAvenue and 13th Street. Documentation indicates the station was not moved until c. 1928 when George W. retired from the railroad due to health. In 1928, the State Highway Commission completed rerouting the Lincoln Highway/U.S. 30 through Belle Plain along 13thStreet past the Preston family home.
During the 1940 and 1950s, Preston’s adapted business for the smaller market niche, finding trade advantages in a more personal service to local clientele. In 1942, George H. purchased the property and filling station from his father. George H. and his brother Glenn began a junkyard dealership as a side business, to supplement income. In 1953, a three-room motel was built just northeast of the garage.
Project Overview
After George’s death in 1993, his son, Ronald, became caretaker and maintained the property as his father left it until his death in 2011. Today, George’s granddaughter, fourth generation, Mary Helen Preston, is working to continue the family legacy. She and her husband, moved from Kansas City, Missouri to Belle Plaine in 2017 to make their home and focus on restoring and preserving Preston’s Station Historic District so it will continue to be an iconic landmark along the Lincoln Highway. Their commitment and energies are invaluable and require the support this proposed vision and scope describes.
The history of early automotive travel and those brave enough to travel highways which were little more than dirt trails was filled with adventure and peril. It is a rich history, filled with unexpected challenges and typified the American spirit of adventure. Its story must be told as it will help shape the passion to conserve all aspects of roadside preservation, which is fading from our history, along with the example of our nation’s industriousness which has shaped who we are today.
The improvements and restoration/preservation being planned are critical and urgent to achieve, so not to lose this integral piece of Americana history, and to celebrate the determination and commitment required then to earn a livelihood and provide essential services to families, who themselves were striking out, often in search of a better life.
The timing and opportunity to succeed with this significant project is at hand. Belle Plaine, population of approximately 2,400 (2020) is rich in history with five properties, including Preston’s, named to the National Register of Historic Places. Belle Plaine is one of Iowa’s 50 Main Street Iowa Communities; these communities are recognized through the Iowa Economic Development’s program which works with communities to capitalize on the unique identity, assets and character of their historic commercial districts. The Main Street approach consists of tightly integrated components making up a common-sense, strategy-driven framework that guides community-based downtown revitalization efforts. Locally developed strategies are implemented through comprehensive work in four broad areas, known as the Four Points: Economic Vitality, Organization, Promotion and Design. While Preston’s sits right outside the Main Street District it is a fundamental component to Belle Plaine’s unique identity.
An Investment in A Legacy
The illustrious history of Preston’s Station is an important part of the legacy of the Lincoln Highway, and the City of Belle Plaine, and continues to be an important asset for Belle Plaine and surrounding communities. Preston’s plans to restore and preserve four contributing buildings (Station, Garage/Museum, 3-room motel and 2-room cabin) making up Preston’s Station Historic District in an effort to educate and raise awareness of its historical significance within the community and while providing viable services to travelers and visitors to the community.
The Garage/Museum will showcase historical artifacts relating to the community and development of automotive travel along the Lincoln Highway through Belle Plaine.
The highest priority of all projects detailed within the Master Plan’s scope of work is stabilization of the contributing buildings’ exteriors to ensure the integrity and distinctive characteristics are preserved so not to further deteriorate. All stabilization will follow in accordance with The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation to allow accurate repair and restoration to mitigate further damage. Once the exteriors are stabilized, the remaining projects will be addressed in order of priority as outlined within the Master Stabilization and Rehabilitation Plan again following The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation to maintain integrity.
Entire Project
Motel
The first area of focus will be to restore the Motel so there is an opportunity to rent to receive some income to assist with the overall project. The projected cost for this portion of the project is $116,000.
Station
Simultaneously, repairs and restoration will take place on the Station. This portion of the project will include reconstruction of the front canopy as noted in historic photographs. The projected cost for this portion of the project is $180,000.
Cabin
Once the Motel is operational, the Cabin will be addressed. The projected cost for this portion of the project is $69,500.
Garage/Museum
This will be the final building to be addressed. The projected cost for this portion of the project is $57,000.
The total projected cost to restore and preserve Preston’s Station Historic District is estimated at $422,500 (in 2022). The targeted grants, require us to demonstrate at least 60% ($253,500) of the necessary funding to complete the project is secured at time of application.
