Sundial Plaza/Cranmer Park

Listed: 2013

Constructed: 1966

Threat: Deterioration; vandalism

Closest Town to Resource: Denver

Significance: The land for Cranmer Park was acquired in 1908, but construction on the terrazzo terrace did not begin until 1923. At the time of construction, the park was named Mountain View Park after the extensive views of the Front Rage. Mountain profiles were etched in the terrazzo creating a mosaic panorama of Colorado’s mountain range, which mimics the breathtaking view. The sundial was installed in 1941. Unfortunately, the original sundial was bombed with dynamite by vandals in 1965. The incident prompted a community-wide effort to reconstruct a replica of the sundial in 1966, led by city officials, members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, residents, and business leaders. The replacement sundial and platform were listed on EPP as a result of their condition due to vandalism and poor drainage. There were crumbling flagstones, missing stones, broken and cracked etchings in the tablets, broken mosaic stones in the etched Mountain View panoramas, and insensitive repairs made until recently. The Cranmer Park/Hilltop Civic Association worked with the city to finalize plans to renovate the Sundial Plaza in Cranmer Park. The Save Our Sundial Committee joined forces with The Park People to complete fundraising to supplement the public funds Denver committed to the project.

Site Needs: Outreach for its significance and publicity for the successful and completed work.

Update: Initially, the advocates for the plaza at Cranmer Park hoped to find ways to reuse as much original flagstone as possible for the project, but it proved infeasible and too costly. A new platform replicating the historic one was constructed, and the sundial has been repaired and reinstalled. The project is considered a Save and was recognized in the 2019 EPP brochure.

Listed: 2010

Constructed: 1874

Threat: Development; natural elements: flooding

Closest Town to Resource: Estes Park

Significance: Considered the oldest, continuously operated hotel Colorado, the Elkhorn Lodge is an example of a late-19th-century hunting lodge built to serve the burgeoning demand from tourists for an immersive “Rocky Mountain” experience. The property originally included several thousand acres, which have since been deeded to the Rocky Mountain National Park. The lodge currently consists of 35 buildings on 65 acres. The Elkhorn Lodge faces substantial development pressure and is seeking preservation-minded buyer. Estes Park’s need for growth puts the future of the Lodge in serious jeopardy.

Site Needs: Preservation-minded buyer, identifying grant funding, updating NR Nomination to increase contributing buildings. Other ideas include working with a land conservation organization to protect and preserve the open space surrounding the lodge to prevent unsympathetic development.

Update: The longtime property owner sold the site in 2021. The new development has worked with Estes Park on plans to develop portions of the property while preserving key buildings, including the hotel, church, school, one barn, and some small rental cabins. A recent small fire damaged the Lodge building and resulted in the closure of the second story. One of two small barns also collapsed due to a snowstorm in March 2017.

Listed: 1998

Constructed: 1877

Threat: Demolition for development

Closest Town to Resource: Fort Collins

Significance: Constructed in 1877, the Preston Farm was the last remaining farm site in Fort Collins. When first listed as endangered, the property was threatened by development along the Harmony Road Corridor. Preston Farm became the first “Save” on Colorado Preservation, Inc.'s Most Endangered Places list. The preservation of the building was a result of the partnership between the city government and preservationists.

The farmstead, including the farmhouse and a dozen significant outbuildings, was purchased by a preservation-minded buyer who has kept the farmstead intact. The Landmark Preservation Commission reviewed plans for the development of the property and was steadfast in their determination that all contributing buildings needed to be preserved; the Fort Collins Advanced Planning Department commissioned a site plan to show how preservation and development could co-exist.

Foxton Post Office

Listed: 2002

Constructed: 1909

Threat: Demolition by neglect; vacant

Closest Town to Resource: Foxton

Significance: A local landmark in the North Fork National Historic District, the Foxton Post Office was established in 1909 and was a train depot until 1927. Located near the Colorado Trail, over 300,000 visitors pass by this log structure, the last remaining post office building in the valley and one of the few log-constructed post offices in the state. The building is currently owned by Denver Water and continues to deteriorate with no plans for maintenance.

Site Needs: Reestablish discussions with Denver Water and the community to develop a long-term plan for the building. Work with Denver Water to devise a Master Plan to analyze how they will deal with their historic resources. New use proposal related to the nearby trail and other potential new use ideas and drawings.

Update: CPI met with Jefferson County Historical Commission to reengage efforts to preserve the North Fork National Historic District. CPI received permission from Denver Water to host a successful Weekend Workshop at the site in 2020, which resulted in mothballing of the windows, temporary stabilization of the walls in the west room, and installation of a temporary roof to better secure the structure. Future works depend on Denver Water.

East Portal Camp Cabins

Listed: 2020

Constructed: 1922-1923

Threat: Demolition by neglect: demolition by Union Pacific Railroad (UP); land owned by U.S. Forest Service and buildings owned by UP Closest Town to Resource: Tolland

Significance: The five East Portal Camp Cabins are all that remain of the camp constructed as the company town during the construction of the Moffat Tunnel. The camp was built before the commencement of work on the tunnel itself. It represented a concerted effort to maintain morale and enforce a good work ethic by creating a company-town environment. This factory system of company town planning was familiar in the East and Midwest but uncommon in the Rocky Mountain West at the time. As planned, the site included a Main Street with utilitarian shops closest to the tunnel, bunkhouses, and recreation facilities with a “Cottage Village” east of the bunkhouse and shop complex. The five East Portal Camp Cabins were originally part of 11 single-family cottages. They originally housed administrative and supervisory personnel along with their families. They are the only remaining connection with the individuals who built the Moffatt tunnel.

Site Needs: Mediated discussions with the county and Union Pacific to transfer ownership, HSA grant was awarded and completed for the buildings. With their condition becoming extreme, immediate stabilization and financial assistance from the community (particularly the Stagecoach Homeowner’s Association) is critical.