Editing Avilla, Missouri (section)

===1970 – present===

====Living ghost town====

Avilla had actually started to decline in the 1940s after World War II, when greater numbers of people (especially young adults) from the already small community began moving to larger industrial cities for employment opportunities.  The final turning point was in the 1960s, when [[US Route 66]] was bypassed with [[Interstate 44|I-44]] (the [[Interstate Highway System]]).  The lost commerce due to the diverted traffic caused many of the remaining businesses to fail or to be relocated in the 1970s.  In 1971 a large fire broke out at the Avilla lumberyard which destroyed several buildings including most of the lumber company, the Boy Scout Meeting Hall and some private residences. The lumberyard was later rebuilt but by the late 1970s deteriorating town shops had been sold & resold, and finally deserted.  The only trades that survived were the ones that could be sustained by the dwindling local population and area farming operations.  Most of the earliest buildings are now gone, replaced by noticeable empty spaces and vacant lots.  US Route 66 was redesignated [[Missouri Route 96|MO Route 96]] in 1985 but by then Avilla was already a small, quiet rural community not unlike what is witnessed there today.  Few abandoned structures remain within the present village as silent reminders of the towns heyday.[[File:USA Flag 1992.jpg|left|thumb| The [[United States flag]] has flown uninterrupted over Avilla, Missouri, since 1856.]]

Avilla is considered one of the living "ghost towns of old Route 66".  It was never completely abandoned and retains its village status today.  Many antique country home' and farmhouses can be seen dotted about the Avilla countryside and long established family traditions in livestock raising and agriculture continue in the area.  The rural community with local 4-H clubs & the Harvest Community Church are currently restoring the Avilla Saddle Club Arena.<ref>Harvest Community Church, Avilla Mo.</ref>  A few examples of period architecture can still be viewed such as the iconic 19th century Avilla (United) Methodist Church which was the first church established in Avilla, located in the northeast part of town.  A Civil War era mercantile edifice (Stemmons & Rives) also endures near the old park at the west village entrance.  Although it has been threatened with closure because of government cut-backs, 21st century visitors and residents can enjoy the nostalgic and well-preserved 1915 bank building, complete with the old time teller windows, vault and vintage postal equipment as it continues to fly [[Old Glory]] and serve as Avilla's US Post Office.<ref name="Missouri Vol 1901, ppg 418"/><ref name="1883 History" /><ref name="The Powers Museum" />

{{anchor|Bank of Avilla}}
The [[Bank of Avilla]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=
https://www.route66news.com/2022/03/15/bank-of-avilla-building-in-avilla-missouri-added-to-national-register-of-historic-places/ |title=title}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fourstateshomepage.com/news/local-news/historic-site-in-local-town-is-nationally-recognized/amp/ |author=Dustin Lattimer|title=about bank and other buildings}}</ref>
<ref name=nrhpdoc>{{cite report|type=none|url=https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/Bank-Avilla.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118130023/https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/Bank-Avilla.pdf |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |url-status=live |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: Bank of Avilla / United States Pist Office, Avilla, MO |author=Nancy L. Johnson|author2=Michelle Diedriech |date=September 1, 2021}}</ref>