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Yoga in the Park

Join RidgeGate and South Suburban Parks and Recreation for free community yoga classes on the grass at the south end of Belvedere Park, at the corner of RidgeGate Circle and Belvedere Lane. Please bring your own mat, water bottle and towel to all classes. In case of heavy rain or lightning, class will be cancelled.

Tuesday, May 30th, 6:30-7:30pm

Tuesday, June 27th, 6:30-7:30pm

Guided Nature Hikes

Each year, RidgeGate teams up with the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District to provide free, guided nature hikes. These hikes are led by professional naturalists from the district, and offer insight and education into the natural ecosystems within the open space at RidgeGate. Registration is required and available at RidgeGate.com

Sunday, May 21st, 8-9:30am – Nature Bingo

Saturday, June 3rd, 7:30-9pm – Strawberry Moon

Friday, June 16th, 6:30-8pm – Birds at Sunset

Monday, June 19th, 6-7:30pm – Juneteenth Commemorative Evening Walk

Summer Beats Concerts

Enjoy these summertime concerts out on the grass with free live music, food trucks and activities for kids. It’s all happening in Prairie Sky Park, just west of the Lone Tree Recreation Center, courtesy of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

Thursday, June 15th, 6-8pm – Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts

Tunes on the Terrace at the Lone Tree Arts Center

RidgeGate is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Lone Tree Arts Center’s ‘Tunes on the Terrace’—an outdoor evening concert series that will bring your summer nights to life. Check out the full schedule and buy tickets at LoneTreeArtsCenter.org

Friday, June 23rd, 8pm – Six One Five Collective

Experience Historic Schweiger Ranch

The restoration of the 38-acre historic Schweiger Ranch, led by the Schweiger Ranch Foundation, gives us a glimpse into settlers’ lives. Today, the ranch is open to the public for self-guided visits and a variety of events throughout the year. Register for or learn more about these events online at SchweigerRanch.org

Saturday, May 20th, 9-11am – Natural Heritage Walking Tours with SSPRD (Spring Wildflowers)

Saturday, June 17th, 10-11am – Guided Public Tour

Saturday, June 17th, 7:30-9am – Natural Heritage Walking Tours with SSPRD (Birds of Schweiger Ranch)

Saturday, June 17th, 6-8pm – Campfire Storytelling Series (The McDaileys) honor for any building, but particularly here in Colorado where we have only about 1,500 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places,” said Newcombe. “ e First National Bank of Elizabeth is signi cant for its history associated with the commerce of the town as well as its incredible architecture and I’m proud to be here to celebrate with you all to o cially mark and designate this place in the National Register of Historic Places.” e 1907 First National Bank building is currently owned by Janet and John Taylor. ey purchased the building in 1977. Since the purchase, the building has been used as a shoe repair shop, woodworking shop, art studio, antique store and attorney’s o ce. At the event, Mayor Pro Tem Linda Secrist presented the Taylors with a plaque from the Town of Elizabeth for their dedication to the preservation of their property.

“ is is pretty exciting. We just love the building. It just has so much charm,” commented Janet Taylor. “I started the work to get it on the national register myself but I thought it was too much work. I’m very happy that all these nice people got it done. We knew that it was possible to be put on the national register for about 10 years and got serious about it probably ve years ago.”

Getting on the National Register of Historic Places e National Register of Historic Places is a federal program under the umbrella of the National Parks Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior. It recognizes public and private buildings and places at the national, state, and local levels.

Once a building is determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register, it is evaluated at the state and national levels under four di erent criteria:

1. Signi cant events

2. Historic people

3. Architecture e 1907 First National Bank building quali ed under two criteria: events, for the commercial development of the Town of Elizabeth, and for architecture.

4. Whether or not the site or structure may yield some sort of important prehistoric or historic information that is yet unknown.

“It is the second building in Elbert County to be placed on the national register,” commented Vice Chair Woodall. “ at is pretty signi cant for our little town.” e other Elbert County building on the national register is St. Mark United Presbyterian Church in the town of Elbert, on the register since 1980.

Unique architecture e 1907 First National Bank building is an excellent example of Renaissance Revival style. e signi cant architectural features are the rounded arches on the portico, the protective horizontal element (cornice) at the top of the building, the decorative brackets supporting the cornice, the decorative date block above and below the cornice, and the raised parapet (low protective wall at the edge of the roof). e building is also signi cant because it is one of few in Elizabeth that is built with masonry. e bank being built with hardy masonry represented its stability for the development of the Town of Elizabeth in the early 20th century.

“ e bank is an iconic example of commercial buildings from the early 20th century,” commented Wooddall. “You can see the silhouette of this building on all of the Elizabeth Main Street ags and signage to welcome people to the commercial district of Elizabeth.” e original bank vault of the 1907 First National Bank building is still existing, as well as many of the original windows. Because there is no indoor plumbing, there is also a historic outhouse located behind the building. e outhouse was considered signi cant to the structure when submitting the application for the National Register of Historic Places.

“I joined the Historic Advisory Board about a year ago. My day job is as an architect, and I specialize in historic preservation,” said Woodall. “When I learned that Mr. and Mrs. Taylor wanted to pursue the national register application for the building, my hand shot up to volunteer. It is just such a special project. I am very honored to have been involved in this.”

Significant historical events

e Town of Elizabeth dates back to the end of the 19th century and was established along Running Creek as an agricultural development with some sawmilling due to its proximity to many ponderosa pines. At the turn of the century, the railroad was introduced to Elizabeth. At this point, the town began to develop and become a signi cant hub in eastern Colorado.

Turn-of-the-century Elizabeth had a thriving train depot, two hotels, saloons, ice cream parlors, mercantile buildings and two banks. e active 1907 First National Bank helped support the growth and the local businesses at the time.

Brief timeline of the 1907 First National Bank building

1906 — Lot 6, Block 1 (location of the 1907 First National Bank building) was purchased for $300.

1907 — First National Bank was constructed.

1909 — Farmers State Bank and First National Bank of Elizabeth were consolidated and bought interest in Kiowa State Bank.

1914 — e building sold for $3,500.

1930 — e First National Bank experienced institutional failure as a result of the Great Depression.

1940 — e building was owned by American Legion, Post 82. At the time, the space was also used to store medical and hospital supplies and to host Scout meetings. It was later used as Cameron’s Corner Christian book and gift shop as well as a recording studio.

1977 — John and Janet Taylor purchased the building. It was used as a shoe repair shop, woodworking shop, art studio, antique store and attorney’s o ce. e Taylors remain the owners of the building to this day.

2003 — e building was placed on the Town of Elizabeth Historic Register.

2007 — e Town of Elizabeth celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the building.

2023 — e 1907 First National Bank building was placed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.

Upcoming history-related events with the Town of Elizabeth

1. Historic Preservation Public Meeting

Presentation of design guidelines and creation of a historic district

Monday, June 12, 6-7 p.m., Town Hall Board Room, 151 S. Banner St.

2. 2023 Historic Walk and Talk

Saturday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 a.m., 165 Main Street.

For more information about the Town of Elizabeth Historic Advisory Board and its Historic Preservation Program, visit townofelizabeth.org/ cd/page/historic-preservationprogram.

To learn more about the National Register of Historic Places, visit nps. gov/subjects/nationalregister/index. htm.

For more information on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, including the criteria to be placed on the list, visit historycolorado.org/colorado-stateregister-historic-properties.

Help keep your community safe and beautiful. Adopt a road!

Gather your friends or neighbors and adopt a road for littler pickup. Douglas County’s road adoption process is now online and easier than ever. For details, visit douglas.co.us and search for Adopt a Road.

Help make your County Fair a success!

Energetic, friendly volunteers age 16 and older are needed during the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo from July 28-Aug. 6. Serve your community, celebrate your County’s history and have fun all at the same time. Visit douglascountyfairandrodeo.com and click on the Get Involved tab, to learn more and sign up.

Visit prehistoric times

More than 11,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, mammoths roamed Douglas County. Learn all about it by taking a free tour of the world-renowned Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve. Limited dates are available. Reserve your spot now at lambspring.org/free-tours

Are you prepared for Wildfire?

It only takes one spark to change your life forever – make sure you are ready for wildfire season. Learn about steps you can take today to reduce the risk to your family and property by visiting douglas.co.us and searching Protect Your Home. And sign up for free emergency notifications at DouglasCountyCodered.com to ensure you are aware if a wildfire or other emergency is happening near you.

Questions about road projects in your area?

Roads are a necessity and they have to be maintained. Here’s where you’ll find everything you need to know about them all. Visit DouglasRoadWork.com to find out what’s going on in your neighborhood.

Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023. Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com