Daniels Schoolhouse

Listed: 2006

Constructed: 1911

Threat: Demolition by neglect; vacant Closest Town to Resource: Milliken

Significance: The Daniels School is reported to be the oldest surviving and last remaining rural brick schoolhouse in Weld county. The school was built in 1911 and met the community's educational needs for almost fifty years before being closed Daniels family immigrated to the United States from England, Canada, in the mid-19th century and settled in Weld County before the Town of Milliken was founded in 1907. The Daniels family donated a parcel of their land for the county school. site is privately owned and was successfully stabilized and restored.

Listed: 2017

Constructed: 1900s

Threat: Demolition by neglect

Closest Town to Resource: New Raymer

Significance: Agricultural communities have formed the backbone of Colorado’s Eastern Plains since the late 1880s. The towns and cities have endured droughts, harsh winters, relentless winds, population changes, and economic depressions. But the one thing that has remained constant is the strength of the communities and the perseverance of the people. The town of New Raymer, anchored by its Main Street, Centre Avenue, reflects this legacy. The town population declined in the 1930s due to drought and economic depression. This decline continued into the next decades, and by the 1960s, most of the businesses along Centre Avenue had closed.

Site Needs: Mothballing of the Texaco Building has been completed. Friends of Raymer incorporation completed with actively engaged volunteers. The Mercantile Building and Texaco station have been successfully added to the State and National Historic Register. Two SHF grants have been secured for the Mercantile Building, part of which may house a branch library.

Elk Creek Octagon and Barn at Shaffer’s Crossing

Listed: 2018

Constructed: 1909

Threat: Demolition by neglect; vandalism; abandonment

Closest Town to Resource: Shaffer’s Crossing

Significance: The unique architecture of the octagon building has a steeply pitched roof reminiscent of older European churches, with a 3540-foot pole in the middle. The remnants of hand-painted flowers and wildlife on ceiling panels remain. At one end was a stage where many bands performed, including the legendary Isham Jones, the musician and jazz band leader of the 1920s and 30s. Here, he composed the popular hit “It Had to Be You.”

Site Needs: A use for the Octagon and barn that complements the Denver Archdiocese’s planned retreat center. A successful Weekend Workshop with Historicorps participation was held in early 2020 for stabilization, mothballing, and installation of a new temporary roof.

South Platte Hotel

Listed: 2023

Constructed: 1913

Threat: Demolition by neglect; vandalism; abandonment

Closest Town to Resource: Foxton, Deckers

Significance: The South Platte Hotel is under imminent threat of demolition. It is currently managed by Denver Water, which has owned the area near the confluence of the South Platte River and its North Fork. The South Platte Hotel is located in the North Fork Historic District and was an important stop on the Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad. The hotel has been abandoned and neglected for decades and is vulnerable to vandalism and damage from weather exposure. The South Platte Hotel was built in 1913 after the original 1887 building was destroyed by arson. The hotel and townsite are emblematic of Colorado’s narrow gauge railroad history, early tourism, summer cabin communities, and small hotels located along stagecoach and rail lines. Denver Water has owned the site since 1987 but has never gained approval for constructing the Two Forks Dam.

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.