One cannot consider an initiative to preserve the Shell Valley without also considering preserving some of the history of downtown Shell. The center of life in the Shell Valley has historically centered on downtown Shell, where the structures that have long been the Valley’s heartbeat remain vital today. Parishoners still gather at the Shell Community Church for Sunday services – and, no doubt, for community fellowship as well.

The Community Hall also brings people together for events, meetings and festivities. Recently, members of the Flitner family acquired the Old Shell Lodge and adjacent lands, hoping that it can become, once again, a focus of downtown Shell. In this capacity, it would house a combination of a community store, museum and Chamber of Commerce. The land surrounding the Lodge is also being restored into a community park.

The heartbeat of life beats on in downtown Shell, growing stronger with each step towards revitalization. "A gift for all generations to come."