In the first step of what could be a year-long process, Cornville Community Association President Deanna King secured approval from Yavapai County officials for Page Springs Road to be designated as a state historic road.

In the first step of what could be a year-long process, Cornville Community Association President Deanna King secured approval from Yavapai County officials for Page Springs Road to be designated as a state historic road.

King gave a presentation to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors on the historic background of the rural road, citing its link with the Verde Valley farms and the industry in Jerome and beyond.

?The next step in the process is to request endorsement of the Arizona [Parkways, Historic and] Scenic Roads Advisory Committee,? King said.

?After that, we go to Arizona Department of Transportation.?

The designation by the county will open up opportunities for grant funding.

District 3 Supervisor Chip Davis noted the Public Works Director Phil Bourdon and Mike Willett, his assistant, have been working with the Cornville group for some time.

The only other road in the state with this designation is a piece of Route 66 in Mohave County.

Bouden said that the county still needs to maintain the road but that is must now take its historic nature into consideration when making improvements.

King said she contacted 65 percent of the residents in the area and there was not one objection.

Davis noted that this was the first step in a 12-step process and that King and her group had gone to the entire Verde Valley with their proposal.