Historic properties throughout Chaffee County studied
In 2013, Tom and Laurie Simmons of Front Range Research Associates (FRRA) completed a survey of a variety of interesting and important historic resources in Chaffee County. They will present an illustrated overview of the history and architecture documented in the survey, with emphasis on seven historic properties subsequently nominated to the National Register of Historic Places from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, at the Buena Vista Heritage Museum, 511 E. Main St.
The Chaffee County Heritage Area Advisory Board commissioned the studies, that followed a volunteer-based survey of all properties in the county over 40 years old. The sites were then evaluated for their potential historic significance, and a Colorado State Historical Fund grant permitted FRRA to intensively examine 65 selected properties. Numerous resources were found to be eligible for listing in the State or National Registers of Historic Places. In 2014, GARNA received another State Historical Fund Grant to complete National Register nominations for seven significant properties, including the Comanche Drive-In and the Fay House on S. Colorado Ave.
The Simmons are nationally respected for their impressive expertise in studies of historic resources in the Rocky Mountain region. They have a long history of involvement with historic resources in Chaffee County, including surveying the Salida Downtown National Historic District, amending the National Register nomination for Hutchinson Ranch, nominating the Kesner Building in Salida to the State Register, and nominating the Bode-Stewart House on F Street in Salida to the National Register.
Joining FRRA will be Erika Warzel, National & State Register Historian, History Colorado. Erika will present basic information on the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties programs. Topics will include implications of historic listing for property owners, criteria for designation, and how History Colorado staff work with nomination preparers and property owners toward successful listing of Colorado's diverse historic properties.
This program is free and open to the public. Thank you to Buena Vista Heritage for donating the use of the Buena Vista Heritage Museum for this event.
For more information on this presentation, please contact Alison Ramsey at 539-5106.