| Historic
Preservation for Grand Junction:
Linking Past, Present and Future
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| 7th
Street Residence |
Historic Survey Completed
The City of Grand
Junction received a grant from the Colorado Historical Society
State Historical Fund to continue to inventory the historic
resources in our community. The study focused on neighborhoods
around the periphery of the downtown which include a high
concentration of 1930s to post-World War II era construction.
These include the Sherwood Park-St. Mary’s Hospital
area, the southeast Lincoln Park neighborhood between 15th
and 19th Streets north of Grand Avenue, the old Grandview
subdivision between Glenwood and Orchard Avenues east of 12th
Street including Orchard Avenue School and the 23rd Street
area north of North Avenue. In addition, the inventory covered
the outlying area of Pear Park.
Previous inventories have covered the downtown original square
mile, the Riverside neighborhood, North 1st Street and portions
of Orchard Mesa. The City is undertaking this as part of its
recently adopted Strategic Plan that includes a specific goal
to “Facilitate efforts that sustain the historic character
of the community”. One strategy to implement this goal
is to continue to inventory the historic resources of Grand
Junction which will form the basis for ongoing neighborhood
enhancement and improvement efforts. Information and the results
of the survey will be made available to property owners and
the public.
Latest Historic Designation
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Service Station Addition c. 1925 |
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| Schiesswohl
Block as originally constructed in 1908
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Jacob
H. Schiesswohl moved to the Colorado Western Slope in
the early 1890s in search of a healthier climate for
a stomach ailment. He settled in the Grand Valley where
he began in the fruit-growing industry. When that proved
too strenuous for his health, Schiesswohl started selling
real estate, specializing in agricultural properties.
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Current
Building |
Within a few years, he was prosperous enough to purchase
a vacant lot upon which to build himself an office with additional
space he could lease for added business income.
During this time (1907), the Grand Valley was enjoying its
first real boom—fueled by a bumper fruit crop. Adding
insurance sales to his business, Schiesswohl prospered. Within
a year of purchasing the property on Sixth Street between
Main Street and Colorado Avenue, he had enough capital to
begin construction and the building was completed in 1908
in only 48 days.
By 1910, Jacob Schiesswohl reached the height of his career.
However, in this same year, the fruit industry suffered major
setbacks. He decided to close his real estate business and
had begun to search for a new business venture when his health
began to decline. Schiesswohl never returned to business,
but lived well off of his real estate investments.
As with the Grand Valley as a whole, the Schiesswohl Building
suffered economic hard times until the boom brought on my
World War I. The Grand valley boomed with coal and vanadium
production for the war effort. During this period, the Schiesswohl
Building was occupied by two mining engineers and a lawyer.
The Grand Valley economy steadied following the war and into
the growth period of the 1920s. This prosperity was evidenced
by the fact that the Schiesswohl Building enjoyed for the
first time full business occupancy. Since that time, the history
of the Schiesswohl Building has continued to mirror the prevailing
economic conditions of the Grand Valley.
Today, as the Grand Valley and, in particular, the downtown
area of Grand Junction, are experiencing a steady growth and
regrowth, the Schiesswohl Building is mirroring this activity.
In 1995, the building underwent a “facelift” with
a new coat of exterior paint, cleaning of the pressed metal
cornice and other exterior improvements. An extensive interior
remodel of the second floor was completed in 2004. Clearly,
the Schiesswohl Building will continue its contribution to
the urban fabric of downtown Grand Junction just as it has
over the past 97 years.
Grand Junction's Heritage
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Recently restored Avalon Theater, Main Street
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For hundreds of years the Ute tribes roamed throughout Western
Colorado. Upon the relocation of the Utes in 1881, the area
was opened for settlement, and the town of Grand Junction
was established.
Since that time, Grand Junction's development has experienced
several cycles of boom and bust. Agricultural crises, the
Great Depression, the growth and decline of the uranium industry,
and the departure of the oil shale companies left visible
reminders of their impact on the community.
While many of the sites or structures representative of Grand
Junction's past have been destroyed, some have been saved.
The Seventh Street Historic District, the Railroad Depot,
the Avalon Theater, and the St. Regis Hotel are among some
of the most notable examples. These landmarks serve as tributes
to Grand Junction's colorful and fascinating past.
Local Preservation
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The Fair Building, Grand Junction (circa
1930, courtesy of Museum of Western Colorado)
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The Grand Junction Historic Preservation Ordinance
#2765 was passed on September 18, 1994. The purpose of the
ordinance is to protect and preserve Grand Junction's heritage,
which is exemplified in historic structures, sites, and districts.
This preservation is accomplished through the use of regulations
which provide methods and criteria for historic designation,
and through incentives developed by the local Historic Preservation
Board and approved by the City Council.
The Board is appointed by the Grand Junction City Council.
The Preservation Board recommends eligibility criteria for
the designation of historic resources, and reviews proposals
to alter those resources. The Board conducts surveys of historic
sites, areas and properties, defines the importance of identified
historic areas, and creates a list of structures with possible
historical merit. An important part of its job is to pursue
financial assistance for preservation related programs.
The Board also makes recommendations to the City Council
regarding historical designations, and advises the Council
on matters concerning historical preservation. Property owners
can request that the Board review proposed alterations to
a structure. In addition, the Board advises and assists owners
concerning physical and financial aspects of preservation.
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Main
Street, Grand Junction
(circa 1917 courtesy of
Museum of Western Colorado) |
The Historic Preservation Board may nominate a structure
for historical designation, or an individual may file an application
with the Community Development Department. In order to qualify
for designation a structure must be at least fifty years old
and meet one or more of the criteria for architectural, cultural,
geographic, or environmental significance. The age standard
may be waived if the City Council finds the structure to be
exceptionally signicant in other criteria.
In addition to a listing in the local historic register,
it is possible to pursue designations at the state and national
level. The National Historic Preservation Act was signed into
law on October 15, 1966. This Act gives the federal government
the authority to establish a National Historic Register. States
can nominate their best examples of historic preservation
to be listed on the National Register.
Benefits
of Preservation
What is gained by preserving the old rather than moving on
to something new? In contemplating the restoration of an old
building or saving a historic site, questions such as these
may come to mind. There are many different reasons for undertaking
a project of historic preservation, with benefits accruing
to both individuals and the community as a whole.
Preserving historic places and structures can be of great
value to the community. It is a way of creating an environment
that the public can enjoy and take pride in. Preservation
makes the community more attractive and adds character and
individuality. This can attract business and tourism from
other areas, and provide a common ground or interest which
can be shared by everyone.
Historic preservation can also do much to improve the quality
of life in a community. The core areas of modern cities are
often left to decay while the population moves to outlying
areas. Restoring old buildings can reduce the problems of
urban growth, including the deterioration of inner cities
and the accompanying crime.
The homes and businesses of the inner town are often some
of the most charming and unique structures in the city. Restoration
can be more economically practical than constructing new buildings.
Owners of historically significant structures may also be
eligible for tax incentives or grants.
Finally, historic preservation preserves our cultural and
historical past. Preserving and maintaining aspects of our
past, whether it is home, a barn, a church or a tree allows
us to maintain a sense of continuity and relationship with
the past. It lets us view the changes that have taken place
against a backdrop of what has gone before. This helps us
to appreciate where we are in time, to understand how we got
here, and perhaps to decide where we should be going.
If you have questions regarding Historic Preservation email
Kristen
Ashbeck, Senior Planner, or call (970) 244-1491.
This page updated
Monday, March 24, 2008
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