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Supporting History
Spring Getaways for History Buffs
Originally published in Colorado
History NOW, May 2005
A casual glance at the event list enclosed in this month’s
issue of Colorado History Now will confirm that the state
will once again celebrate Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Month in grand style. We hope you will take time to participate
in one or more of the scheduled activities, but thought you might
also enjoy learning about and seeing the following historic buildings
and places—all preserved or interpreted with assistance from
the State Historical Fund–whenever you may have some spare
time.
Take a stroll down Main Street
Spring has finally arrived and the air is warm and fresh; what a
great time of year to take a walk and experience history at the
same time. The town of Cortez offers just such a chance with a new
Main Street walking tour and signage project produced by the local
chamber of commerce in partnership with the SHF and several local
businesses and individuals. For over one hundred years, downtown
Cortez has been the region’s center of cultural and commercial
activity. Turn-of-the-century brick businesses, 1930s concrete block
structures, and other historic places—many of which show up
on vintage Main Street views shown on the interpretive signs—combine
to form a picturesque commercial strip that is sure to brighten
your stroll.
Explore a mountain town
Around this time of year, tourists and natives flock to Grand Lake
and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Town of Grand Lake, through
a brochure and signage project, offers an appealing way to walk
off a late-afternoon lunch and explore the historic resources of
this lakeside town. Rustic architecture, early log structures, and
Victorian homes combine to provide an interesting mix to this historic
getaway. A walking tour map enhanced with informative text will
guide you to the actual sites, all of which are marked with small
signs.
Discover an urban neighborhood
Some downtown Denver office workers may not know about the architectural
treasures that can be found in the Golden Triangle neighborhood
just south of the business district. The SHF-funded Trio
of Tours is a colorful and well designed brochure that highlights
influences on the built environment of this changing area.
Acoma: Avenue of the Arts focuses on the Triangle community’s
anchors: the school, church, business, and home. The Civic
Center Walking Tour highlights the area’s public architecture
and art and explains the park’s concept and development while
pointing out the structures that add to the overall plan.
The Gasoline Alley Walking Tour explores the phenomenon
of the “romance of the car.” Before suburban auto parks
were built in the 1950s, Broadway’s “Miracle Mile”
was the place to look for a car. Automobile sales influenced
the design of showrooms and sales outlets, several of which survive
today and have been adapted for different uses.
Enjoy a country road and take a hike
Speaking of cars: spring is the perfect time the fill the gas tank,
roll down the windows, turn off the radio, and enjoy the blue sky
above and a country road before you. In the area surrounding the
town of Victor you can drive along stunning mountain byways to several
hiking trails that wind among the historic mining fields, head frames,
and other structures of the Cripple Creek Mining District. Through
an SHF grant to the Southern Teller County Focus Group this area
has been interpreted through a series of informative signs found
along the Gold Camp, Little Grouse, Battle Mountain, and Vindicator
Valley trails. Inquire at the newly restored Victor town hall for
maps and directions.
The State Historical Fund invites you to seek out these and other
locations that may be hosting Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Month activities. And remember, although only one month is officially
dedicated to preservation, enjoying and appreciating historic preservation
can be a yearlong, and for some a lifelong, endeavor.
BY LYLE MILLER, SHF Technical Advisor
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