American Federation of Human Rights
Gideon Pratt Homestead & Harry C. Pratt Grave
Lucas Dairy/Shady Springs Ranch
100 Third Street, Suite 220
Castle Rock, CO 80104
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Judy Hammer
Historic Preservation Board Administrator
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The Historic Preservation Board (HPB) began the process of identifying the County’s historic contexts and conducting cultural resource surveys to lay the foundation for the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan. The HPB hosted a county wide kick-off meeting on January 27, 2010 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room at 100 Third St. in Castle Rock.
The kick-off meeting informed the public about the purpose of the county wide historic context report and the types of properties that will be proposed for intensive surveys. As defined by the National Park Service, “historic contexts are those patterns or trends in history by which a specific occurrence, property, or site is understood and its meaning (and ultimately its significance) within history or prehistory is made clear.” The context is comprised of a theme, a time period and a geographic setting. Twelve properties that represent the themes and property types identified in the historic context report will be surveyed. A survey is simply the process of documenting information on a historic building such as its size, history, construction type and architectural style. Selected properties will be representative of the industries that were in operation during the early development stages of Douglas County. For example, a theme could be logging, ranching, farming, etc. Gathering and documenting this information will help the HPB to effectively target additional cultural resource surveys. Eventually, the historic context report will be incorporated into the development of a future Historic Preservation Plan.
Currently, URS the consulting firm hired by the HPB, is working on identifying representative properties to be included in the historic context report.
Stay tuned as there’s more to come!
Kickoff Meeting Agenda 01-27-10 [33KB]
Questions and Answers [706KB]
The shared history of Colorado and the County gives local communities a deep connection to their surroundings and a sense of place. As early as the late 1850’s Euro-American settlement began in the County. Many towns and homesteads developed as word spread about the discovery of gold, and the vast richness of the County’s natural resources. Railroads, farms, dairies, sawmills, mines, resorts and other industries helped to build portions of the County that are in evidence today.
The Douglas County Historic Preservation Board (HPB) was established to promote the awareness and value of the County’s prehistory, history and heritage. The HPB and Community Planning and Sustainable Development staff provide programs to preserve the cultural resources that are attached to this legacy.
The Douglas County Landmarks Program was created to encourage the preservation of the unique historic and cultural heritage of the County and Colorado. The sites contribute to a sense of local identity and culture and provide real-life educational experiences.
Other activities include:
A Brief History of Douglas County Brochure [316KB]
The Douglas County Historic Resource Map shows where some of the historic and cultural resources are in Douglas County, and they include settlements, railroads, railroad grades, cemeteries, grave sites, stage lines, stage stops, schools trails, etc. Please click on the link below to view the map.
Douglas County Historic Resource Map [3.7MB]