Far View Visitor Center

Listed: 2023

Constructed: 1968-1969

Threat: Abandoned, Lack of Resources

Closest Town to Resource: Cortez

Significance: The unique “Mission 66” mid-century modern Far View Visitor Center at Mesa Verde National Park has been mothballed, vacant, and subject to the purview of changing park superintendents over time. The building is in excellent condition, retains its historic character and features, and is ripe for a partnership with other entities who could help adaptively reuse it to complement the National Park Service (NPS) mission. The unique, circular form building was designed by Denver architects Joseph and Louise Marlow in 1967-68 and has been determined to be a good candidate for possible National Historic Landmark (NHL) status.

The Far View Visitor Center sits within the Far View complex at Mesa Verde National Park. It overlooks the canyons, mesas, and topographic landmarks that are significant to the native cultures of the region. As part of the Mission 66 Program, the Park Service developed and introduced the “visitor center” building typology to provide orientation and relevant interpretation distinctively related to its home park. The future of the Far View Visitor Center has essentially remained in limbo since the opening of a new Visitor Center in 2014.

Site Needs: Adaptive reuse strategies