Park County Historic Preservation Plan (2021-2026 DRAFT).docx

Park County Historic Preservation Plan 2021-2025

Addendum to:

Historic Preservation Plan for Park County, Colorado (2000) Park County Historic Preservation Long-Range Preservation Plan 2010-2015 Park County Historic Preservation Long-Range Preservation Plan 2015-2020

Park County Department of Heritage, Tourism, and Community Development Park County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission Table of Contents

2021-2025 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 15

2021-2025 ACTION ITEMS

APPENDICES

Introduction

In 1999, the National Park Service recognized Park County as a Certified Local Government (CLG), a designation that allows the county to officially develop standards for the designation of local historic landmarks and establish a historic preservation advisory commission. Park County, Colorado, Resolution No. 99-1 was enacted, and the Board of County Commissioners appointed and authorized the Park County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission to make recommendations for the identification, designation, and preservation of Park County’s historic resources. The Park County Office of Historic Preservation was created in 2005 to assist PCHPAC in achieving these goals and serve as the county’s cultural resource management needs. In 2013, the mission of the Office of Historic Preservation was formalized:

The Park County Office of Historic Preservation promotes the public health, safety, and welfare by identifying, protecting, and preserving Park County’s historic and cultural resources, increasing public appreciation of the area’s diverse past, and encouraging heritage tourism.

Pursuant to the establishment of PCHAPC, a planning team was assembled to create a comprehensive ten-year Historic Preservation Plan for Park County, Colorado (2000). Funded in part by a State Historical Fund grant, the county hired Historic Preservation Planner Jackie Powell to facilitate the plan. The planning team included the members of PCHPAC and represented a range of individuals with active interest and expertise in Park County cultural resources. The team was responsible for selecting the actions to be included in the plan, establishing priorities, and providing guidance for the plan’s review and production. Public comment was solicited and the plan was revised based on comments received during the public review period.

The Tarryall School and Teacherage is one of six historic sites owned by Park County.

The Plan outlined the need for context studies, historic resource surveys, preservation education, heritage tourism, and more. After meeting the objectives set forth in the Historic Preservation Plan (2000), the PCHPAC and the Office of Historic Preservation sought to expand its goals and objectives for historic preservation in Park County.

In 2006, the county was designated by the federal government as a Preserve America Community, communities recognized for protecting and celebrating their heritage and using their cultural resources as assets to promote economic development, community revitalization, education, and heritage tourism. The same year, Park County was selected through a competitive process as one of four regions in Colorado’s Heritage Tourism Pilot Project Initiative. Park County was the only single county region chosen, with the remaining three regions comprised of a total of twenty counties.

In 2009, the value of preserving Park County’s unique heritage was again nationally recognized when Congress designated a large portion of the county as the South Park National Heritage Area. National Heritage Areas are places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. Through public-private partnerships, NHA entities support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and educational projects. The Office of Historic Preservation worked closely with the Office of Tourism and Community Development to fulfill mutual goals outlined in the Historic Preservation Plan for Park County and the South Park National Heritage Area Management Plan.

The Park County Historic Preservation Long-Range Preservation Plan 2010-2015 was created as an addendum to the 2000 Historic Preservation Plan for Park County. A majority of the action items identified in the 2010-2015 plan have been achieved and a summary of those achievements follows this introduction.

In 2014, the Park County offices of Historic Preservation and Tourism and Community Development merged to form the Department of Heritage, Tourism and Community Development. Preservation staff continues to manage the county's historic preservation activities with the advice of PCHPAC.

In January 2015, the Office of Historic Preservation began gathering input from county staff, PCHPAC, and the public to inform the development of a new preservation plan for Park County. This effort included the online Park County Historic Preservation Plan Survey, the results of which are documented in Appendix E.

To ensure the continued growth and success of the county’s historic preservation programs, this planning document was developed to guide the historic preservation activities PCHPAC and the Department of Heritage, Tourism, and Community Development for the next five years. The Park County Historic Preservation Plan 2021-2025 is also intended to inform and complement the Park County Strategic Master Plan.

Summary of Achievements - 2010-2015

Under the Historic Preservation Plan for Park County, Colorado (2000) and its addendum, the Park County Historic Preservation Long-Range Preservation Plan 2010-2015, the Office of Historic Preservation and Park County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission made enormous strides towards the preservation of the unique, authentic character of Park County and its historic resources. During the last five-years, the county achieved a large number of the action items included in the 2010-2015 long-range plan, which divided action items into four categories: archaeological and architectural resources, education, archival resources, and administration. A summary of the progress made in those four areas follows.

Archaeological and Architectural Resources The Office of Historic Preservation and PCHPAC promoted the preservation of Park County’s historic and cultural resources under the broad goal of preservation with a purpose—buildings must have a purpose to ensure continued viability. To support the preservation and long-term sustainability of the county’s cultural resources, the OHP and PCHPAC sought to identify and designate the county’s cultural resources and incentivize their preservation and adaptive reuse.

2016-2020 Action Item 1. Designation of historic properties at the local, state, and/or national register level Between 2010 and 2015, survey and designation efforts continued, with two reconnaissance surveys, two intensive survey projects, and the designation of eleven historic sites and three historic districts.[footnoteRef:1] The Shawnee Historic District, first designated as a local historic district in 2008, was successfully listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. Listing of the Threemile Gulch Prehistoric Archaeological District on the National Register in 2011 resulted from the long-term collaboration between Park County, Skidmore College, and the South Park Archaeology Project (SPArP) and represents a significant achievement in the documentation and recognition of Park County’s prehistoric heritage. In November 2014, South Park City Museum, Park County’s premier heritage tourism destination, was designated as a National Register Historic District. The ten properties designated as Park County Historic Landmarks between 2010 and 2015 are located throughout the county and represent a wide variety of resource types related to mining, ranching, commerce, and recreation. The Paris Mill, designated as a Park County Historic Landmark in 2005, was listed on the National Register in 2012. [1: A fourth historic district, the Staunton Ranch Rural Historic Landscape District, is located primarily within Jefferson County but a small portion lies within Park County. Park County was not involved in the preparation of the National Register nomination for the district, which was completed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in 2012.]

In 2011, several historic properties along the Tarryall Road (County Road 77) were intensively surveyed in preparation for the nomination of the Tarryall Rural Historic Landscape District to the National Register of Historic Places. Stretching over 40 miles along the Tarryall Road from Jefferson to Lake George and including over 300 contributing resources, listing of the district represented a massive undertaking and has taken nearly five years to complete. In September 2014, the Colorado Historic Preservation Review Board recommended approval of the nomination and the Keeper of the National Register is expected to formally recognize the rural historic landscape district in the near future.

In 2014, staff completed a reconnaissance survey of 257 properties within the town of Fairplay. Intensive surveys of sites identified as historic during the reconnaissance survey are now in progress. A survey of Como is similarly underway to assess the feasibility of a National Register District in Como. In 2015, staff completed a reconnaissance survey of 17 historic cemeteries and burials. The information gathered was instrumental to the preparation of the National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form for Park County Cemeteries, which sets the stage for future designation of Park County cemeteries to the national, state, and local registers.

2016-2020 Action Item 2. Aiding property owners in the exploration of continued and adaptive reuse of historic properties The Preservation Plans for 2016-2020 called for the Office of Historic Preservation and PCHPAC to aid property owners in the exploration of continued and adaptive reuse of historic properties in ways that benefit the property owner and maintain the character defining features of the historic property. The Office of Historic Preservation and PCHPAC assisted property owners in a wide variety of ways during the past five years. Between July 2013 (when tracking of reviews began) and today, the Office of Historic Preservation and PCHPAC reviewed 167 projects as part of the Park County permitting process and provided recommendations in 38 instances when the project had the potential to affect cultural resources. This is in addition to many informal discussions with property owners seeking information about their historic property. The Office of Historic Preservation also provided assistance to the two municipalities located within Park County—Alma and Fairplay—advising on the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the Clesson Cabin and Ladies Aid Hall in Alma and providing the town of Fairplay with information on the historical significance of properties within its jurisdiction.

With funding provided by the South Park National Heritage Area, the Office of Historic Preservation sponsored Historic Structures Assessments (HSA), documents that investigate the physical condition of a building and outline preservation strategy, for the Paris Mill, Cline Ranch, Trout Creek Ranch and the Fairplay Valiton Hotel. Between 2007 and 2012, department director Linda Balough assisted the owner in the rehabilitation of the National Register listed EM Ranch, applying for and managing a series of State Historical Fund grants on the owner’s behalf.

Rehabilitation and reuse of the exceptional historic resources associated with Como’s railroad heritage was a high priority for the department. Between 2009 and 2012, Balough assisted the owner with the rehabilitation of the National Register listed Como Hotel, applying for and managing a State Historical Fund grant on the owner’s behalf and the Office of Historic Preservation was instrumental in facilitating restoration of the Como Depot, which was listed on Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2006. The restoration was completed in 2014 and the building will open to the public in 2015 as the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad Museum.

Restoration/rehabilitation of the county-owned Old Park County Courthouse was a high priority for Park County. Constructed in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Italianate style courthouse is a beloved symbol of the Park County’s storied past. In fall 2012, the Office of Historic Preservation received a State Historical Fund grant to restore the courthouse windows. Via newsletters, social media, and a print brochure, the office used the project as an opportunity to educate the public about the benefits of historic window restoration. In early 2014, the OHP contracted with Older Than Dirt Construction to restore the historic main entrance doors. In March 2014, the county received a State Historical Fund grant for rehabilitation of the courthouse’s red sandstone masonry, which has been completed. In June 2014, work began on the rehabilitation of the courthouse’s main floor for use as a heritage center housing the South Park National Heritage Area, the Office of Historic Preservation, the Park County Local History Archives, and the South Park Archaeology Project. Phase I included removal of all non-historic wall, ceiling, and floor finishes and the historically appropriate rehabilitation of the main floor office and entrance areas. The project was a hands-on undertaking with much of the labor provided by staff and volunteers. Work was completed and a grand reopening celebration held in October 2014. Work is underway on Phase II, rehabilitation of the historic courtroom located on the upper floor of the courthouse, and is expected to be completed in 2015, assuming sufficient funding is available.

Since the program’s inception in 1990, Park County has benefitted from 65 State Historical Fund grants totaling more than $2,390,000. Within the past five years, the Office of Historic Preservation applied for and received competitive State Historical Fund grants for three highly significant historic resources owned by Park County:

· Old Park County Courthouse (2013), $27,400, Window Rehabilitation

· Old Park County Courthouse (2014), $24,090, Masonry Repair

· Paris Mill (2014), $186,575, Exterior Rehabilitation

PCHPAC provided a number of local grants supporting preservation endeavors around the county, fostering community awareness, leveraging local expertise, and incentivizing investment in historic properties.

Grants issued between 2010 and 2015 included (but are not limited to):

· Como Cemetery (Como), Survey

· Snair Cabin (Lake George), Rehabilitation

· Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit, Event Support

· Fairplay Odd Fellows Hall (Fairplay), Rehabilitation

· Glen Isle (Shawnee), Emergency Repairs

· Lake George Cemetery (Lake George), Identification of Unmarked Graves

· Park County Historical Society (Bailey), Event Support

· Park County Local History Archives, Document Acquisition

· Tarryall School (Tarryall), Rehabilitation

· Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative (various), Interpretation

· Como Roundhouse Cabins (Como), Stabilization

· Coach 56 (Como), Preservation

· Como Depot (Como), Rehabilitation

· Highplains Ranch (Jefferson), Rehabilitation

· Price Cabin (Shawnee), Rehabilitation

· Steiner Barn (Jefferson), Rehabilitation

· Eleven Mile Canyon Memorial (Lake George), Interpretation

· Fairplay Valiton Hotel (Fairplay), Rehabilitation

· Hartsel School (Hartsel), Rehabilitation

· Thomas McGuire House (Grant), Rehabilitation

· Como Cemetery (Como), Mapping

Grants issued between 2016 and 2020 included (but are not limited to):

· Ladies Aide Hall (Alma), Rehabilitation

· Jefferson Community Civic Assoc. (Jefferson), Rehabilitation

· Nobel Ranch (Lake George), Rehabilitation

· Tyler Homestead (Shawnee), Rehabilitation

· Como Water Tank (Reconstruction)

Much of the preservation effort in Park County springs from individuals, whose desire to preserve their historic residences, commercial buildings, or agricultural structures manifests in structural rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, and/or designation of these properties at the local, state, or national level. Many owners seek grant funding or tax credits under the guidance of the Office of Historic Preservation and PCHPAC, but no preservation work occurs without the desire, dedication, and financial commitment of individuals. Beginning in 2007, to honor such individuals PCHPAC established a historic preservation awards program to recognize local residents and property owners who work toward preservation and re-purposing of their historic properties. Between 2010 and 2015, Park County recognized the contribution of 30 individuals and organizations that made a significant contribution to the preservation and appreciation of Park County’s history.

2010-2015 Action Item 3. Tailoring of the Park County Local Landmark nomination for inclusion in COMPASS: Colorado's On-line Cultural Resource Database The 2010-2015 Long-Range Preservation Plan proposed the tailoring of the Park County Historic Landmark nomination for inclusion in COMPASS, an on-line cultural resource database managed by History Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. COMPASS is available to approved users and enables cultural resource management professionals to access information about Colorado’s historic sites. Prior to 2011, COMPASS did not note the local landmark status of several Park County sites. This was remedied for all sites that were included in the database as of November 2011. The Park County Historic Landmark Nomination form was revised to capture information needed to complete the forms required to list properties in the COMPASS database. Work ensuring that the information in COMPASS is as up-to-date as possible is ongoing and by the end of 2015 it is expected that all locally designated properties will be included in COMPASS with a notation identifying their status as Park County Historic Landmarks.

2010-2015 Action Item 4. Development of historic contexts The 2010-2015 Long-Range Preservation Plan asked for the development of two additional historic contexts to further understanding of the history and development of Park County. Since the time the plan was written, History Colorado/Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation modified its standards for the production of historic contexts, requiring contexts to consist of a Multiple Property Documentation Form and an associated National Register of Historic Places Nomination. These requirements essentially limit the subject matter to property types and require that a representative National Register eligible property is available for listing. Given these circumstances, the Office of Historic Preservation facilitated one historic context, a context for Park County’s historic cemeteries, which is expected to receive National Park Service approval in 2015.

The Office of Heritage, Tourism and Community Development is partnering with the non-profit Coalition for the Upper South Platte to rehabilitate the historic Cline Ranch as an outdoor education center.

Education The department’s education goals were broad and included efforts to educate Park County departments and local, regional, and state-wide partner organizations about Park County’s cultural resources and the value of preserving the area’s unique heritage. Emphasis was also placed on the continuing education of staff members in order to ensure that the department remained up to date on the latest advances and innovations in the historic preservation field.

During the past five years, the department made significant strides in this area accomplishing all of the proposed action items and initiating several new programs.

2010-2015 Action Item 1. Development of workshops The 2010-2015 Long-Range Preservation Plan identified the development of workshops as a means to provide property owners, local professionals, and the interested public access to information on preservation, building conservation, and research techniques. The plan recognized that the workshops offered would be dependent on need and the expertise available. Suggested offerings included workshops on research methods, grant writing, landmark nomination preparation, and hands-on preservation practices.

In 2011, staff offered a series of workshops in March and April 2011 with the Fairplay Town Board and Planning Commission centered on the evaluation of historic resources, the local landmark list and process, and the role of CLGs. These workshops, which satisfied certain stipulations within the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Town of Fairplay and Park County, were geared at assisting the Town in reviewing local landmark applications as the first tier in designation of local landmarks within the Town’s jurisdiction.

In 2013, the county hosted its first High Country Old House Fair, a free regional public outreach event designed to provide valuable information related to caring for older homes and preserving the historic character of Colorado’s mountain communities. Educational presentations covered topics included making older homes energy efficient without compromising the distinctive features that make them special, repairing old log cabins and outbuildings, repairing wood windows, and rehabbing a home using HUD’s 203k loan program. Though sparsely attended, those who participated found the event informative and helpful.

2010-2015 Action Item 2. Support the South Park Symposium The Park County Office Heritage, Tourism, and Community Development and PCHPAC supported the South Park Symposium events held in 2010 and 2013. Director Linda Balough spoke at both events and PCHPAC board member Bob Schoppe presented in 2013. Funding was provided for the 2013 South Park Symposium by SPNHA and staff assisted with organizational and volunteer support.

2010-2015 Action Item 3. Continue to develop heritage tourism The 2010-2015 Long-Range Preservation Plan noted a number of ways in which the OHP and PCHPAC could assist in the development of heritage tourism including creating historic driving tours, increasing availability of web-based tourism information, engaging in collaborative efforts with nearby counties, and providing signage and printed material at gateways to Park County. Not all of these specific means were pursued; however, several other initiatives were enacted in support of heritage tourism between 2010 and 2015.

In 2010, director Linda Balough collaborated with recreation development manager Gary Nichols to develop the Tarryall Valley Heritage Tour brochure, which highlights historic and natural resources along County Road 77. Nichols also contributed to the OHP’s interpretation program by producing a driving tour brochure for Elevenmile Canyon near Lake George.

During the past three years, staff created three web-based walking tours of Alma, Fairplay and South Park City Museum specifically designed for smart phone users. In 2015, the tours will be transferred to the MyTours smart phone app, which will provide more convenient access to the tours. A fourth tour of Shawnee will debut at that time. Additionally, staff led popular walking tours of Fairplay and Alma in 2013 and 2014.

The OHP assisted SPNHA with the development of their new website by providing content for the historical timeline included on the site. The SPNHA website provides a wealth of information for tourists of all kinds but especially those interested in Park County’s natural and cultural heritage. This information is also available through links on Park County’s official website.

A regular feature of the Preservation Matters newsletter, “Historic Destinations,” highlights a publicly accessible historic site in each issue. This feature is also included in the South Park National Heritage Area e-newsletter, which is sent to a broad mailing list developed through tourism outreach efforts.

2010-2015 Action Item 4. Develop heritage trails The 2010-2015 Long-Range Preservation Plan proposed the development of at least one hiking or bicycling heritage trail. In support of this goal, the Office of Historic Preservation assisted the South Park National Heritage Area with development of Colorado’s South Park Geotour. Though not a conventional trail per se, the geocaching tour encourages visitors and locals to experience Park County’s heritage resources by seeking out hidden caches placed at significant cultural sites, many of which are located along major hiking and biking trails. The geotour brought numerous visitors to Park County and provides a fun and unique way to encourage recreational activity and increase public understanding of Park County’s historic resources.

2010-2015 Action Item 5. Promote youth involvement Goals for promoting youth involvement outlined in the 2010-2015 Long-Range Preservation Plan included promoting events targeting a younger demographic, creating workshops for young people, and collaborating with local educators. In 2010, director Linda Balough presented information on preservation topics to a school group organized by the Forest Service and to trail workers for the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative. The following year, Park County hosted the Colorado Youth Summit. Over forty middle and high school students, their teachers, and Youth Summit staff participated in the 4-day program that included experiences at the Fossil Beds National Monument, M Lazy C Ranch, Beale Placer re-vegetation service project, Paris Mill, Highplains Ranch, Colton Sheep Camp, the community of Como, and a blessing offered by a Ute spiritual leader. Student participants responded very positively to the event.

In 2012, preservation staff began assisting South Park High School teachers and Coalition for the Upper South Platte staff with the High Creek Fen Site Stewards Program, leading a half-day educational program on local ranching history, historical water issues, and site surveying methods during the program’s annual field day. The OHP cultivated youth engagement in the Paris Mill rehabilitation by working with Edith Teter Elementary school students to paint heritage themed murals on plywood panels that were then used to secure the mill from trespass.

The department worked to engage older youth as well. In 2013, the OHP began a fruitful partnership with HistoriCorps, a volunteer organization dedicated to saving historic places. HistoriCorps projects at the Clesson Cabin, Tarryall School, and Alma Ladies Aid Hall attracted volunteers in their 20s as well as teenagers and their families. The projects promoted a greater appreciation of the importance of preserving historic buildings by teaching volunteers basic preservation principles and providing hands-on experience with preservation techniques.

Additional Education Initiatives In 2012, a number of new initiatives were launched to help increase public awareness of Park County’s historic resources and preservation efforts as well as inform the owners of designated and eligible properties about the advantages of designation and incentives available through the Office of Historic Preservation.

With over 245 subscribers, Preservation Matters, the quarterly newsletter produced by the Office of Historic Preservation, become a valuable means of disseminating information about a wide variety of preservation topics. The newsletter is published in pdf format accessible through the Park County website and hard copies are mailed to the owners of all designated properties within Park County.

The Park County Office of Historic Preservation Facebook page, liked by over 290 individuals and organizations, is regularly updated with information regarding upcoming events and ongoing preservation projects within the county and Colorado. The page proved to be an effective means of raising public awareness of preservation activities within Park County as well as state and national concerns.

Staff often provided both informal and formal tours of historic sites to a variety of groups including USFS employees and volunteers and assisted property owners wishing to better understand the history and significance of their properties by providing historical research.

Archival Resources The 2010-2015 Long-Range Preservation Plan recognized the important role that the OHP could play in encouraging the preservation of documents, objects, and photographs related to Park County history—materials which support the county’s survey, designation, and interpretation efforts. To best achieve this goal, the OHP partnered closely with the non-profit Park County Local History Archives and supported activities initiated by PCLHA that were consist with the goals outlined in the Long-Range Preservation Plan.

2010-2015 Action Item 1. Develop a guide to the use and interpretation of both primary and secondary sources Toward this goal, staff and PCHPAC board members offered a workshop on using historical resources available within and without Park County, however a written guide was not produced as part of this initiative.

2010-2015 Action Item 2. Develop a guide to building research and recording historic structures In conjunction with the High County Old House Fair, staff developed the Old House Research Guide, a guide to researching the history of older buildings, and Historic Houses in Colorado’s High County, a guide to house types and styles in Colorado’s mountain communities. Both are available online at the county’s website.

2010-2015 Action Item 3. Seek, record, and make available to researchers oral histories, historic photographs, maps, and additional archival materials As members of its board of directors, PCHPAC members and staff supported the Park County Local History Archives’ mission to acquire and preserve material primarily deriving from and relevant to the cultural and natural history of Park County, and offer public access to that information for research and educational purposes. Specific projects related to this goal and supported by staff included development of a collections policy and digitization of the Park County Bulletin for public access online via the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection website. Projects near completion include creation of a new, more user friendly website with enhanced photo collection search capabilities.

The OHP and PCHPAC encouraged and supported the Park County Clerk and Recorder’s efforts to digitize the county’s historical records.

2010-2015 Action Item 4. Establish a storage facility for collected archival materials In 2014, staff facilitated moving the Park County Local History Archives into a larger, more conveniently located office space within the newly rehabilitated Old Park County Courthouse. The move provided additional secure storage space for the Archives and perhaps most importantly, served to consolidate historical information resources in Fairplay. The Archives is now housed in the same building as the OHP, within walking distance of the offices of the County Clerk, County Assessor, District Court Clerk, the Fairplay Branch of the Park County Library, and South Park City Museum, creating a nexus of historical research resources available for the public’s use.

Administration The Park County Historic Preservation Office and PCHPAC continued to build on the successes of preceding years by supporting the use and appreciation of Park County’s historic resources through capacity building, interdepartmental collaboration, and local, state, and national partnerships.

2010-2015 Action Item 1. Update and expand the GIS layer of historic properties In 2011, staff worked with the Information Management Department of History Colorado/Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to update the cultural resource information available through the county’s GIS mapping applications. Survey and site information contained in the Colorado Cultural Resource On-line Database was used to update the county’s cultural resource GIS layers, thus ensuring that cultural resource reviews were completed using the best information available. In 2015, local landmark information was verified and updated as well.

2010-2015 Action Item 2. Support/encourage personal projects of PCHPAC members Staff provided support for projects initiated by PCHPAC board members when those projects were consistent with the goals established by the 2010-2015 Long-Range Preservation Plan or the South Park Heritage Area Management Plan and the established rules and procedures for county appointed boards.

2010-2015 Action Item 3. Develop partnerships with institutions of higher education In pursuit of this action item, staff developed a mutually beneficial relationship with a number of universities and colleges, including University of Colorado - Denver. In 2010, staff presented to the Historic Survey class offered as part of CU Denver’s Historic Preservation program. Associate Professor Kat Vlahos of CU Denver’s College of Architecture and Planning taught several studio classes using the historic Guiraud/McDowell Ranch (Buffalo Peaks Ranch) and Salt Works Ranch as case studies. Additionally, director Linda Balough led a number of field trips for Vlahos’s students.

The county, with funding provided by the South Park National Heritage Area, partnered with CU Denver’s Center of Preservation Research to produce National Register of Historic Places Nominations for the South Park City Museum and Guiraud/McDowell Ranch. Another project, a survey of historic sites in Como, is currently underway. All three projects utilized students or research assistants to help complete the project.

Similarly, University of Denver anthropology professor Bonnie Clark used two Park County sites—the Duquesne Smelter and Cline Ranch—as case studies to teach historical archaeological fieldwork methods to students.

Furthermore, the county enjoys a strong, ongoing partnership with the non-profit South Park Archaeology Project (SPArP), which began as a partnership with the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and evolved into a field school project for Skidmore College in New York.

2010-2015 Action Item 4. Develop an internship program In 2012, staff established an internship program funded by SPNHA, significantly expanding staff capacity and allowing the department to achieve established goals. The first two years of the program focused on fulfilling survey and landmark designation goals. The intern completed a reconnaissance survey of Fairplay, assisted the Preservation Planner in completing landmark designation nominations for three properties, made significant progress in the completion of Phase I of an intensive survey of cultural significant sites in Fairplay, assisted with a reconnaissance survey of Park County Cemeteries, and provided general administrative support. The program was suspended in 2014 due to funding availability, but is expected to be reinstated in the future.

2010-2015 Action Item 5. Identify and pursue appropriate grant awards to finance the preservation planning, education, archival, and administrative goals of the Office of Historic Preservation and PCHPAC.

During the past five years, staff applied for and received competitive State Historical Fund or Certified Local Government grants for thirteen projects. Additionally, the department supported successful preservation grants awarded to ten other entities including the Alma Foundation, Rocky Mountain Land Library, South Park Archaeology Projects, Como Civic Association and South Park City Museum, for projects within Park County. See Appendix X for a complete list of preservation-related grants awarded between 2010 and 2015.

Action Item 6. Produce publications for sale.

After exploring the feasibility of producing of publications for sale, it was determined that the initial investment in staff time and production costs made the completion of this action item infeasible at this time. However, staff encouraged the publishing and promotion of books celebrating Park County’s heritage by supporting ventures undertaken by the Park County Local History Archives, including the publication of an Images of America book on Park County and several ebooks derived from oral histories. Additionally, through its newsletter and Facebook page, staff made the public aware of new publications pertaining to Park County heritage.

2021-2025 Goals and Objectives

Goals:

1. Identify, protect, and preserve Park County’s historic and cultural resources.

2. Increase public appreciation of Park County’s diverse past.

3. Encourage heritage tourism.

Objectives:

1. Identify and survey unrecorded historic resources and update and expand existing survey data.

2. Nominate Park County historic properties as Park County Historic Landmarks, and/or to the Colorado and National Register of Historic Places.

3. Increase awareness and action regarding endangered resources.

4. Collaborate with county and municipal government entities to encourage historic preservation and eliminate disincentives and obstacles to preserving and adaptively reusing historic resources.

5. Develop, implement, and promote incentives that encourage the preservation and reuse of historic resources.

6. Support the preservation of county-owned historic properties.

7. Make preservation information and education accessible to Park County property owners, residents, youth, and visitors.

8. Develop programs to interpret Park County’s historic and cultural sites and increase public understanding of the significance of such sites.

9. Encourage youth to better understand and appreciate cultural and historic resources and historic preservation practices.

10. Develop and/or support heritage-based tours, events, and attractions.

11. Collaborate closely with Park County Development Services on matters that affect, or have the potential to affect, historic resources.

12. Collaborate with the Park County Local History Archives and support the collection and preservation of archival resources related to Park County history.

13. Collaborate with other county departments to preserve, digitize, and provide online access to Park County’s historical public records and documents.

14. Maintain existing and cultivate new partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels that support the historic preservation, heritage education, and heritage tourism goals of Park County.

2021-2025 Action Items

I. CULTURAL & HISTORIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Park County’s built environment is comprised of a unique blend of ranching- and mining-related sites and the transportation networks that linked them. The present and historic character of the county developed around these primary industries after the discovery of gold in 1859. The county also boasts significant resources from history and prehistory attributed to native populations dating back 10,000 years. Though current evidence suggests these populations were nomadic, archaeological resources that have been recovered suggest that the story of native people on the high mountain plain continues to call for investigation.

Managing change in a manner that preserves Park County’s unique heritage and cultural identity is important to fostering a sense of place and ensuring quality of life for current and future residents. The Park County Historic Preservation Plan for 2021-2025 identifies the following objectives and action items designed to promote proactive and thoughtful management of Park County’s cultural and historic resources.

Objective 1:

Identify and survey unrecorded historic resources and update and expand existing survey data.

Action Items:

1. Develop a GIS-based digital reconnaissance survey form.

2. Conduct reconnaissance level surveys of unrecorded sites. Surveys could be organized by region or by resource type.

3. Review existing surveys and update and expand existing data. This could include conducting reconnaissance surveys of sites surveyed more than ten years ago and updating data as needed.

4. Complete intensive level surveys of historic properties eligible for designation as local landmarks. These surveys could be organized by community, type, level of significance, or threatened status.

5. Conduct surveys to determine the eligibility of areas for designation as historic districts. Survey targets could include Park City, Moordale, Mosquito Gulch, Buckskin Gulch, Camp Santa Maria, Deer Valley Park Association, 12 Mile Ranch, Guanella Pass Road, and Lininger Lake.

6. Complete intensive surveys for all Park County Historic Landmarks that have not been recorded at this level and submit to History Colorado for inclusion in COMPASS.

Objective 2:

Nominate Park County historic properties as Park County Historic Landmarks, and/or to the Colorado and National Register of Historic Places.

Action Items:

1. Utilize survey findings to encourage property owners to designate their historic properties at the local, state, and/or national register level. Survey results may be used to identify potential architectural, ranching, and mining historic districts and/or identify individual resources eligible for designation. Potential districts may include Como and Guffey. Individual nominations may include the Magnolia Mill, AG Ranch, Cline Ranch, Moynahan House, Singleton House, and the Como and Buckskin Cemeteries.

2. Facilitate owner-initiated designation of historic properties at the local level by conducting historical research and completing local nomination documents.

Objective 3:

Increase awareness and action regarding endangered resources.

Action Items:

1. Develop a list of historic sites threatened by vacancy and disuse, deferred maintenance, development pressure, flooding or fire, structural deterioration, pest infestation, vandalism etc.

2. Develop incentives for adaptive reuse of historic sites specifically designed to encourage the preservation of threatened sites.

3. Encourage and support volunteer stewardship of threatened sites.

4. Employ volunteer activities such as Community Work Days to secure and stabilize threatened sites.

5. Encourage and support the preparation of Historic Structure Assessments for threatened resources.

6. Take advantage of benefits available through Colorado Preservation Inc.’s Endangered Places programs by nominating Park County properties to the Endangered Places list, when appropriate.

Objective 4:

Collaborate with county and municipal government entities to encourage historic preservation and eliminate disincentives and obstacles to preserving and adaptively reusing historic resources.

Action Items:

1. Work closely with the Director of Development Services and her/his staff to identify areas within the existing Land Use Regulations that could be modified to encourage rather than discourage preservation and adaptive reuse. E.g. Exempting historic properties from limits on the number of buildings allowed on a parcel.

2. Build strong relationships with the governments of Fairplay and Alma and offer support for preservation-related goals developed by these communities.

3. Complete an intensive survey of historic resources located within the Fairplay Town Center Overlay District and share with the town staff and board of trustees.

Objective 5:

Develop and implement incentives that encourage the preservation and reuse of historic resources.

Action Items:

1. Maintain a historic materials salvage warehouse and promote the reuse of salvaged architectural elements and materials.

2. Explore the feasibility of a property tax abatement program for property owners who make a significant investment in the rehabilitation of a designated historic property.

3. Explore the feasibility of a historic preservation revolving fund or low-cost/no-cost loan program.

4. Explore the feasibility of a program that would allow property owners to donate historic buildings and/or sites to Park County for preservation and adaptive reuse.

5. Actively promote the state historic preservation tax credit program.

Objective 6:

Support the preservation of county-owned historic properties.

Action Items:

1. Develop 5-year preservation plans for all-county owned properties. Goals of these plans could include rehabilitation of the masonry and windows at the Old Park County Jail, restoration of the cornice of the Old Park County Courthouse, construction of contemporary restroom facilities and restoration of the historic outhouses at the Tarryall School, as well as rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the Cline Ranch residence and Paris Mill.

2. Seek grant funding for the preservation and rehabilitation of county-owned properties.

The Wright Homestead is one of 26 historic ranches and homestead located along the Tarryall Road (CR 77)

III. PUBLIC EDUCATION & OUTREACH

Public education is the cornerstone of any successful historic preservation program and is critical to the development of a strong preservation ethic among local community members. To robustly support the preservation of historic and cultural sites, the public must first understand the significance of those sites and how preserving the historic character of Park County benefits both current and future residents. Education provides the foundation for building a strong preservation ethic and is therefore essential to a successful preservation program. Increasing public awareness and understanding of historic sites can be accomplished in a wide variety of ways including workshops, volunteer projects, publications, social media and websites, interpretive signage and programs, events and presentations, youth education programs, and historical tours.

Objective 7:

Make preservation information and education accessible to property owners, residents, youth, and visitors.

Action Items:

1. Continue to disseminate preservation information via the Preservation Matters newsletter and social media.

2. Develop workshops that provide hands-on instruction in historic preservation techniques and methods such as window restoration.

3. Review and update information available on the Park County website to create a robust one-stop online source for historic preservation information.

Objective 8:

Develop programs to interpret Park County’s historic and cultural sites and increase public understanding of the significance of such sites.

Action Items:

1. Develop an interpretation plan for the Paris Mill.

3. Expand the interpretative signage program developed by the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative (MRHI) to include additional sites throughout the Mosquito Range.

4. Review existing interpretative signage locations and augment existing program as needed.

5. Develop heritage-related exhibits for display at the Old Park County Courthouse.

6. Support the South Park Symposium.

7. Support the publishing of books and other materials related to the history of Park County.

Objective 9:

Encourage young people to better understand and appreciate cultural and historic resources and historic preservation practices.

1. Develop an experiential learning program for local elementary-age students at the historic Tarryall School focused on Park County history and the education experience of school children during the early 1900s. Plan for a similar program at the Paris Mill highlighting Park County’s mining history.

2. Explore partnering with South Park City Museum to create youth education programs.

3. Develop a historic preservation work-study program for local high school students. Expand existing historic preservation intern program for college students.

4. Forge partnerships to incorporate historic preservation in local outdoor educational and natural resource conservation programs. Possible partners include the Coalition for the Upper South Platte, Mosquito Range Heritage Area, Beaver Ponds Environmental Education Center, and Mountain Area Land Trust.

5. Create volunteer opportunities targeted specifically to local youth.

Young people can immerse themselves in local history at the South Park City Museum in Fairplay.

IV. HERITAGE TOURISM

Heritage tourism can be a significant component of Park County’s long-term economic sustainability and a strong motivation for preserving historic resources. The county’s authentic ranching, mining, and transportation resources, among others, attract tourists seeking to understand the development of Colorado and the American West. To this end, the Department of Heritage, Tourism and Community Development and PCHPAC will develop and support heritage tourism initiatives.

Objective 10:

Develop and/or support heritage-based tours, events, and attractions.

Action Items:

1. Create new heritage-related walking and driving tours and update/expand existing tours. Develop online versions of all tours. Potential new tours could include walking tours of McGraw Park in Bailey, Como, Jefferson, and Hartsel. Updated tours could include an expanded app-based tour of the Tarryall Road that incorporates historical information gathered for the Tarryall National Register District nomination.

2. Support heritage-oriented events such as Living History Days and Boreas Pass Railroad Day.

3. Develop the Paris Mill as a mining heritage interpretation and outdoor recreation site.

4. Develop heritage trails and/or provide heritage interpretation along existing trails. Trail maps and interpretation should be made available in a variety of formats including online downloadable digital formats.

5. Explore the feasibility of establishing a Park County Museum.

The Paris Mill, completed in 1895, is one of Park County’s premier historic mining sites.

IV. PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION

The Department of Heritage, Tourism and Community Development and Park County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission…