A Look Back -- 1960's in North Boulder

This weekend Historic Boulder celebrates an era with an exciting tour of seven 1960 homes located in the heart of the City.  The tour, Landmarks of the Future, will be this Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st from 11:00 to 4:00.

The homes on the tour represent a special era, and have been updated, restored and re-purposed while maintaining many original features and the existing scale of the neighborhood.  Experts and other professionals will be on hand to provide information.  And, look for the vintage cars that have been lent for the occasion.

This is a self guided tour, and participants will be able to explore at their own pace innovative, stunning transformations of homes that are exemplars of style, scale and sustainability.

Old North Boulder's oldest home and undisputed Landmark of the Past, the Decker-Tyler House, 2940 20th Street,  will serve as the "tour center" where tickets can be purchased.  It is the one exception to the era represented, built nearly 100 years prior to the 1960's.

We look forward to seeing you on the tour.  Also offered this week is a free lecture "The History & Evolution of Old North Boulder"  It will be held at the Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway,  on Thursday, April 28th from 6:00 to 7:30.

For further information:  www.historicboulder.org. 

or contact:  Jancy.Campbell@coloradohomes.com

The Fun of Living in Older/historic Homes

Do you love older homes?  I do.  I live in a home in Boulder, Colorado that was built sometime between 1895 and 1900.  While not landmarked, it is located in one of Boulder's ten historic districts.

It has rooms that are not quite plumb.  Carpenters originally built it, and there are parts that are quite rough, but it is very sound home.  It was added on to in the back over 40 years ago.  It has a true parlor with a fireplace, a grand room that includes a dining room, and it is quite fun to live in.

It is Queen Anne in style, with a lantern on top and a broad front porch.  The master bedroom opens to another broad porch on the second floor.  The kitchen and two baths have been totally remodeled.

Whether a landmarked home or an older home in an historic district, these homes help us remember persons who lived there a long time ago.  We have the opportunity to view closely how they lived, where they relaxed, and where they met with visitors.  It is fun to imagine what happened on that street or in that community when the home was built.

If you are someone who loves older homes, you might be interested to know that currently in the City of Boulder there are around six homes that are currently for sale that were built before 1930.    I hope you will feel free to contact me if you have an interest in knowing more about these homes. My email is:  jancy.campbell@coloradohomes.com.

If you currently own an older or historic home, or are thinking of purchasing one, you might be interested in this resource:  www.preservationdirectory.com .  This is an online resource for historic preservation, building restoration, and cultural resource management in the United States and Canada.

There are skilled local resources that are experienced with the renovation and/or the restoration of historic properties.   I am happy to share these resources with you..

www.jancycampbell.com














Currently there are around six homes for sale in Boulder that were built before 1930.

Just Off The Press

"Hannah Connell Barker" is just off the press and available through Amazon.  It will soon be available through Historic Boulder.

Earlier blogs touch on Historic Boulder's beautiful restoration of the Hannah Barker House, a home that was distinguished in architecture, with a fascinating past, but had fallen to great ruin.  During the restoration process much was discovered about the owner, Hannah Barker.  We learned that she was probably one of the most distinguished and accomplished women living in Boulder during the late 19th Century and early 20th Century.  Her significant contributions to Boulder and surrounding area were many -- Barker Dam, Barker Park to mentioned just a few.

The book was written by three young girls from Boulder's Whittier Elementary School.  Working with the students were board member Helene Willis, who had the original idea for the book and, like Hannah Barker, a former teacher.   Polly McDonald, also a former teacher was a leading cheerleader throughout.  Another Historic Boulder board member, Bridget Bacon, spent many hours researching the historic timeline.  Bob Hunnes, a current Historic Boulder board member shared his expertise as an engineer and as an editor and writer and mentor.

Hannah Barker, an Irish immigrant came to Boulder and taught school to miners' children in Ward, Colorado.  She later married Ezra Barker a prominent Boulder land owner and businessman.
This is a beautiful book telling a compelling story about Hannah Barker, her house and her town.

The project was headed by Ruth McHeyser and Thomas Thorpe, the house project manager.  The authors are Iris Landers, Kyra Leland, Poet Lyon.   Know that there were many other talented and dedicated persons involved.

Marcelee Gralapp, Boulder Public Library's recently retired director writes,  This inter-generational project took three young women on a journey through their own community's history directly connecting them to a woman who championed education, intellectual curiosity and the importance and power of reading.

Because of the many persons in our community who were involved and touched by this careful restoration, it was a proud moment for Historic Boulder when this beautiful home sold this fall to a wonderful new owner.

Wonderful Bunglows

http://www.chicagobungalow.org/membership

Above a website devoted to the popular bungalows in the Chicago area.

The wonderful bungalow style -- perhaps a home style on the move in today's market.  In the Boulder County area there are about 30 homes currently for sale that are described as bungalows.
All but two (that are over a million dollars) are priced in the $200,000 to $600,000 range.
The bungalow, well priced in today's market, is a rich classic with warm interiors.

To learn more contact me at:  jancy.campbell@coloradohomes.com

The Boulder Bungalow

Bungalows in Colorado were quite popular from 1900 to 1930, and are found in practically every city and town throughout the state.  The bungalow is a type of building originally from Bengal, India.

The meaning of the word bungalow varies in different countries, but common features include being low-rise and having verandas.  In the United States and United Kingdom it is a residential building with one story or with a second story built into a sloping roof, usually with dormer windows, making it 1 & 1/2 stories.  One of the best features is the full-width porch supported by battered porch piers topped by double wood supports.

Historically the bungalow style home represented the post WWI urban growth that spread across the country between 1920 and 1940.

With a focus today on smaller homes, the bungalow becomes a perfect style with warm and comfortable interiors, not to mention the expansive front porches.  

Search for bungalows currently for sale in the Boulder County area on my website, www.jancycampbell.com or contact me directly at jancy.campbell@coloradohomes.com.

Long's Gardens -- In the Heart of Boulder, Colorado

Here is a link to Catherine Long Gates' family's connection to water in Boulder.  Today Long's Gardens is a well known location in the heart of Boulder, and people come from all over to purchase the garden's beautiful iris plants.

Catherine is a member of Historic Boulder and a good friend.  Enjoy the story.  You may have to turn up the volume.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClTLMuG3Q5U&feature=youtu.be

Buying Historic or Interesting Older Homes

How Do I Start?

If you are buying or thinking about purchasing an older home, you are at the beginning of an exciting adventure.  Be sure to have a thorough inspection with a trained professional.
(I can provide you with excellent resources.)  Map out what you want to accomplish and budget.

Here are the Department of the Interior's "Ten Basic Principles for Sensitive Rehabilitation" also known as the "Do's and Don'ts for Buyers."

1.   Make every effort to use the building for its original purpose.
2.   Do not destroy distinctive original features.
3.   Recognize all buildings as products of their own time.
4.   Recognize and respect changes that have taken place over time.
5.   Treat sensitively distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craft work.
6.   Repair rather than replace worn architectural features when possible.  When replacement is necessary, new material should match the old in design, composition, and color.
7.   Clean facades using the gentlest methods possible.  Avoid sandblasting and other damaging methods.
8.   Protect and preserve affected archeological resources.
9.   Compatible contemporary alterations are acceptable if they do not destroy significant historical or significant historical or architectural fabric.
10. Build new additions so they can be removed without impairing the underlying structure.

If the home is landmarked and/or in a historic district, review county or city requirements.

For more information contact me at:  jancy.campbell@coloradohomes.com
or view my website:  www.jancycampbell.com