Administering the National Forests of Colorado: An Assessment of the Architectural and Cultural Significance of Historical Administrative Properties (Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Comanche National Grassland)

Administering the National Forests of Colorado:
An Assessment of the Architectural and Cultural Significance of Historical Administrative Properties

INVENTORY AND RESULTS OF EVALUATION
Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Comanche National Grassland

During the late 19th century there was a steady demand for lumber, logs for construction, wood for fuel, mining timbers, and railroad ties in central Colorado. Cattle grazing was a major industry, especially along the South Platte, in South Park and Black Mountain. Cattle from Texas were grazed in South Park during the summer. Overgrazing conditions contributed to the establishment of the South Platte Forest Reserve in 1892.

The San Isabel Forest Reserve was established about three months after the Pikes Peak Timber Land Reserve in 1902. Both were designated National Forests five years later. The Pike was combined with the Plum Creek Timber Land and the South Platte Forest Reserve. By 1910 the San Isabel absorbed the Wet Mountain and the Las Animas National Forests. Headquarters for the San Isabel was at Westcliffe until it was moved to Pueblo in 1922.

In 1919 San Isabel became the first forest to have a narrative recreation plan, authored by Arthur Carhart. The objective was to organize the area as an example of recreational services overseen by the Service. He conceptualized his planning to include elements of sanitation, transportation, wildlife management and fire protection. The Pike and San Isabel were administratively combined in 1973.

Between 1938 and 1954 the U.S. Soil Conservation Service administered L-U Lands (land utilization) in the plains as a grazing and water conservation effort stemming from the dust bowl days. An overall study of these properties in 1953 resulted in the Rocky Mountain Region of the Forest Service assuming management of these lands. In June of 1960 National Grasslands became an integral part of the National Forest system. Comanche National Grassland in southeastern Colorado and Cimarron National Grassland in southwest Kansas became districts of the San Isabel National Forest (Hinton 1988; Reini 1931; Horgen 1923).

Tables 12, 13, and 14 list administrative sites evaluated in these Forests and the National Grassland and Figures 77 and 78 show the relative location of these sites.

Table 12. Summary of site Recommendations for Commanche National Grasslands.

Site Name	Const. Date	Site No.	Field Eligibility Recommendation
Carrizo Work Center	1930s-1940s	5BA549	significant under Criterion A

Table 13. Summary of Site Recommendations for Pike National Forest.

Site Name	Const. Date	Site No.	Field Eligibility Recommendation
AG Ranch	1932	5PA756	* officially eligible (1980)
Bailey Work Center	1937	5PA755	not significant under A or C
Buffalo Creek Work Center	ca. 1937	5JF1001	not significant under A or C
Fairplay Work Center	1937-1940	5PA757	not significant under A or C
San Carlos (La Veta) Office (San Isabel)	1936	5HF1175	significant under A. C
Lake George Ranger Station	1935	5PA532	* officially eligible (1988)
Monument Work Center (Nursery)	1936-1940	5EP2214	significant under A, C
Spanish Peaks (San Carlos) Work Center	1930s	5HF1176	not significant under A or C
Colorado Springs (Pike) Supervisor's Warehouse	1938	5EP995	not significant under A or C

* Not examined as part of this project. Status determination by State of Colorado.

Figure 77. Sites Evaluated in the Pike National Forest and Comanche National Grasslands. GS=Guard Station; SW=Supervisor's Warehouse; WC=Work Center. (click on image for a PDF version)

Table 14. Summary of Site Recommendations for San Isabel National Forest.

Site Name	Const. Date	Site No.	Field Eligibility Recommendation
Alvarado Ranger (Guard) Station	1934	5CR249	not significant under A or C
Bassam Guard Station	1911-1918	5PA70	significant under A, C
Buena Vista (Barn Site)	1937	5CF829	not significant under A or C
Buena Vista Office (Town Site)	1936-1939	5CF828	significant under A, C
Crystal Lakes Work Center	1932	5LK861	not significant under A or C
Iron City Cabin	ca. 1880s	5CF 170	significant under A, C
Lake Isabel Work Center	1937	5PE1754	@ not significant under A or C
Pueblo (San Isabel) Supervisor's Warehouse	1937	5PE2126	not significant under A or C
Salida (Cochetopa Supervisor's Warehouse) Work Center	ca. 1938	5CF827	not significant under A or C

@ Re-evaluate when building(s) meet the 50-year age criterion.

Figure 78. Evaluated in the San Isabel National Forest. GS=Guard Station; RS=Ranger Station; SW=Supervisor's Warehouse; WC=Work Center. (click on image for a PDF version)

SITE SUMMARY
Figure 79 AG Ranch View to the Northeast			Roll 62, Neg. 9 July 1994
5PA756 AG Ranch South Platte Ranger District Pike National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Bunkhouse	9914	1932	Arthur Gould	Rustic
Barn	9916	1932	Arthur Gould	Pioneer
Statement of Significance. The log barn at site 5PA576 was officially declared individually eligible in 1980. The ranch complex was declared ineligible but has been re-evaluated under criterion G. It is recommended that the site and its buildings are significant under criterion G for their association with the Region 2 Mule Packstring, a modern symbol of the Forest Service's management of its resources, including wilderness areas. Architectural Plans. 1994 NPS Site and Building Field Sketches.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 80 Bailey Ranger Station View to the Northeast			USFS R2 Files W.O. 380312 June 1939
5PA755 Bailey Work Center South Platte Ranger District Pike National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Admin. Bldg	1601	1937	E.R.A.	Rustic
Dwelling	1602	1937	E.R.A.	Rustic
Garage	1603	1937	E.R.A.	Rustic
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5PA755 is not significant under criteria A or C. It is not distinctive in its design as an urban CCC-era ranger station, or in its construction. The appearance of its buildings has been significantly altered by modern siding, windows, and doors; the result is a loss of integrity of design, workmanship, and materials. Better examples of Rustic Style frame ranger stations exist in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Hot Sulphur Springs dwelling (F5296, F5745), Reder combination office building (F5317, F5805), Bailey garage/storage (F5558), Site Plan.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 81 Buffalo Creek Ranger Station from the west			USFS R2 Files W.O. 432651 October 1944
5JF1001 Buffalo Creek Work Center South Platte Ranger District Pike National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Administration	N/A	ca. 1937	Unknown	Rustic
Dwelling	1502	ca. 1937	Unknown	Rustic
Garage	1532	ca. 1937	Unknown	Rustic
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5JF1001 is not significant under criteria A or C. It is not distinctive in its design as a rural CCC-era ranger station, or in its construction. The appearance of its buildings has been significantly altered by modern siding, windows, and doors; the result is a loss of integrity of design, workmanship, and materials. Better examples of Rustic Style frame ranger stations exist in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Hot Sulphur Springs dwelling (F5296, F5745), Buffalo combination office building (F6915), Bailey garage/storage (F5558), Site Plan.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 82 Fairplay Ranger Station Residence and Administration Building			USFS R2 Files W.O. 388598 November 1939
5PA757 Fairplay Work Center South Park Ranger District Pike National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Garage	2701	1937-40	E.R.A.	Rustic
Office	2702	1938-40	E.R.A.	Rustic
Dwelling	2703	1937-40	E.R.A.	Rustic
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5PA757 is not significant under criteria A or C. It is not distinctive in its design as a rural CCC-era ranger station. The site has non-sympathetic new construction and its buildings have been significantly altered by additions, modern siding, windows and doors, resulting in a loss of integrity of design, workmanship, materials and feeling. Better examples of Rustic Style frame ranger stations exist in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Fairplay dwelling (F6373), Fairplay combination office building (F5805), Tensleep garage/storage building (F5491), Site Development Plan.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 83 Nurseryman's Residence Monument Nursery/Ranger Stations			USFS R2 files W.O. 406668 Photo by Higgins, May 1951
5EP2214 Monument Work Center (Nursery) Pikes Peak Ranger District Pike National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Residence	3507	1939-40	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Seed Extractory	3525	1936-37	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Tree Packing Shed	3536	1937	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Refrigeration Bldg	3503	1934	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Seed Storage Bldg	3526	1937	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Fire Bldg	9713	1941	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Equipment Shed	9714	1937	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Carpenter Shop	3537	1936	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Blacksmith Shop	3528	1937	CCC F-60-C	Rustic
Oil House	3501	ca. 1936	Unknown	Rustic
Pump House	3534	1936	Unknown	Rustic
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5EP2214 is significant under criteria A and C. This site was used during the Depression to supply trees for the re-forestation of the Rocky Mountains and the reclamation of the windblown agricultural Midwestern plains. Its remaining buildings were constructed by the CCC. Their subsequent use by Hot Shot fire fighting crews and Environmental Education Center continues the site's association with the development and administration of the National Forests in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Monument Environmental Education Center.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 84 Office, District Ranger San Isabel National Forest			USFS R2 Files W.O. 397658 July 1940
5HF1175 San Carlos (La Veta) District Office San Carlos Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Administration	N/A	1936	CCC F-46-C	Pueblo
Statement of Significance. Although this office building has suffered significant losses of integrity, it still remains recognizable as a CCC-era USFS Ranger District Office. It is significant for its association with the development and administration of the San Isabel National Forest, and as the only known remaining USFS-built and -owned adobe administration building in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Huerfano dwelling (F6617), Monte Vista garage (F6162), LaVeta combination building (F5132).
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 85 Colorado Springs Garage Pike National Forest			USFS R2 Files Date unknown
5EP995 Colorado Springs (Pike) Supervisor's Warehouse Colorado Springs, Colorado Pike National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Garage	N/A	1938	ERA & CCC F-33-C	Rustic
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5EP995 is not significant under criteria A or C. Although the garage is still recognizable as a USFS administration building, it has undergone major renovations. All vehicular doors that identify the garage/shop function have been removed, and the interior has been gutted. The structure has lost its integrity of design and materials. Three similar garages, all more intact, remain in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Colorado Springs Garage/Storage Plan (F6180), Garage/Storage Plan (F5539), Site Plan.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 86 Spanish Peaks Work Center View to the Northeast			USFS R2 Files Roll 68, Neg. 28 July 1994
5HF1176 Spanish Peaks (San Carlos) Work Center San Carlos Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Barn	N/A	1930s	unknown	Vernacular
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5HF1176 is not significant under criteria A or C. Though recently associated with the development and administration of the San Isabel National Forest, this site and barn, used as a storage and work area for Forest Service crews, is of no particular architectural or cultural distinction or significance. Architectural Plans. Non-existent.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 87 Alvarado Barn View to the Northeast			Roll 59, Neg. 3 7/16/1994
5CR249 Alvarado Ranger (Guard) Station San Carlos Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Barn	N/A	1934	Unknown	Bungalow
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5CR249 is not significant under criteria A or C. The site does not retain several elements typical of ranger stations, such as fencing and a dwelling. It has lost integrity of design and feeling. The remaining barn is not particularly representative of pre-CCC era USFS design or CCC-era construction. Many better examples of barns, CCC construction, and ranger stations exist in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Improvement Plan, Alvarado Ranger Station.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 88 Bassam Creek Guard Station Used as Ranger Station around 1914			USFS R2 Files W.O. 484399 1957
5PA70 Bassam Guard Station Salida Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Cabin	N/A	1911	unknown	Pioneer
Barn	N/A	1917-18	unknown	Pioneer
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5PA70 is significant under criteria A and C. This site has been associated with the development and administration of the San Isabel National Forest since 1911. Of the four fully intact Pioneer and pre-CCC era USFS constructed Ranger Stations in Colorado, this is one of the two with the most amount of physical integrity remaining. The site is also the oldest extant administrative complex on the San Isabel National Forest. Architectural Plans. Bassam Guard Station Improvement Map (D5763).
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 89 San Isabel National Forest View to the South Southwest			Roll 60, Neg. 16 July 1994
5CF829 Buena Vista (Barn Site) Salida Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Barn	N/A	1937	unknown	Vernacular
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5CF829 is not significant under criteria A or C. The site and barn were neither designed nor built by the Forest Service, and neither have played a significant role in its development. Architectural Plans. Buena Vista Pasture Improvement Map.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 90 Cochetopa National Forest US Forest Ranger's Office Building, Buena Vista			USFS R2 Files W.O. 387866 October 1939
5CF828 Buena Vista (Town Site) Salida Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Admin. Bldg.	N/A	1936-39	unknown	Art Deco
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5CF828 is significant under criteria A and C. Its location makes it a prominent example of the Forest Service's presence within the community. It is unique in its Main Street site location and the commercial storefront layout of its office building, it is also one of less than six known Art Deco Style designs produced by Region 2, and the only District Office constructed on a commercial lot in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Buena Vista Ranger Station combination building (F5546).
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 91 Context View, Crystal Lakes View to the Southwest			Roll 61, Neg. 13 July 1994
5LK861 Crystal Lakes Work Center Leadville Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Dwelling 1	0301	1932	Fish & Wildlife Svc	Bungalow
Dwelling 2	0302	1932	Fish & Wildlife Svc	Bungalow
Garage 1	N/A	1932	Fish & Wildlife Svc	Bungalow
Garage 2	N/A	1932	Fish & Wildlife Svc	Bungalow
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5LK861 is not significant under criteria A or C. This complex was built for the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. Its use by the Forest Service as a work center and horse pasture was not significant to the development and administration of the San Isabel National Forest. The Bungalow Style buildings are not distinctive in their type, period, or method of construction, and they have lost integrity of association and design. Architectural Plans. Crystal Lake Guard Station Site Development Plan.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 92 Iron City Cabin View to the Northwest			Roll 59, Neg. 29 July 1994
5CF170 Iron City Cabin Salida Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Cabin	N/A	ca. 1880s	unknown	Pioneer
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5CF170 is significant under criteria A and C. The site has a building that is the last remaining building from the Iron City mining camp. The building is an excellent example of combination log and frame construction. The various additions are themselves historic and document a pattern of use and reuse typical in Colorado mountain architecture. Architectural Plans. Miller Cabin - Salida District floor plan, USDA Cochetopa National Forest Iron City Summer Home Group Area Plot Plan.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 93 Lake Isabel Work Center View to the Southwest			USFS R2 Files Roll 58, Neg. 21 July 1994
5PE1754 Lake Isabel Work Center San Carlos Ranger District San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Office	PS0801	1937	unknown	Rustic
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5PE1754 is not significant under criteria A or C. The office is the only building on this site old enough to be considered for eligibility. It has been moved and extensively modified and is not particularly representative of Forest Service design or construction. The office no longer retains the integrity of location, design, or materials, nor is it significant to the administrative history of the Forest Service. Architectural Plans. Lake Isabel dwelling (F7426), Lake Isabel Work Center Site Plan.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 94 Pueblo Warehouse San Isabel National Forest			USFS R2 Files W.O. 436574 Photo by H.P. Gaylor, August 1945
5PE2126 Pueblo (San Isabel) Supervisor's Warehouse Pueblo, Colorado San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Garage	PS101	1937	CCC	Rustic
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5PE2126 is not significant under criteria A and C. Though associated with the development and administration of the San Isabel National Forest. Three similar garages on other forests are more intact and are better representative of CCC-era Rustic design and construction. Architectural Plans. Pueblo Garage/Storage (F5871), Site Plan.
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 95 Cochetopa Warehouse and Garage at Salida, Colorado			USFS R2 Files W.O. # 387862 October 1939
5CF827 Salida Work Center Salida, Colorado San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Warehouse/Garage	N/A	ca. 1938	unknown	Rustic
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5CF827 is not significant under Criteria A or C. Though associated with the development and administration of the San Isabel National Forest, the garage is not the most masterfully designed nor the best preserved Forest Service CCC-era brick warehouse structure in Colorado. Architectural Plans. Monte Vista Garage/Warehouse (F6715).
SITE SUMMARY
Figure 96 Context View View to the East from driveway			Roll 67, Neg. 36 July 1994
5BA549 Carrizo Work Center Comanche National Grasslands San Isabel National Forest
Building Name	Bldg. No.	Date	Builder	Style
Dwelling	PS0901	1940s	Unknown	Bungalow
Storage Bldg	60006	1940s	Soil Conservation Service	Quonset
Shop	PS1201	1940s	Soil Conservation Service	Quonset
Storage Bldg	60008	1940s	Soil Conservation Service	Quonset
Oil House	60009	1940s	Soil Conservation Service	None
Tack Building	60010	1940s	Soil Conservation Service	None
Horse Barn	60011	1940s	Soil Conservation Service	None
Pump House	60005	1940s	Soil Conservation Service	None
Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5BA549 is significant under criterion A. This site was settled by homesteading ranchers. It was expanded by the Soil Conservation Service during the Depression as headquarters for the reclamation of the overgrazed plains. This reclamation project signified a new era in land management in Colorado. The site's present use by the Forest Service as a work center continues to represent federal reclamation efforts on the plains. Architectural Plans. Carrizo District Administrative Improvement Map.

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Last Updated: 15-Jan-2008