1309 Jefferson Ave History - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lawrence and Helen Caranci then sold the two lots to separate buyers. In 1953, they sold Lot 8 (1309 Jefferson) to Albert Schmidt and Eileen Harris Schmidt. In 1954, they sold Lot 7 (1301 Jefferson) to Eileen Harris Schmidt's sister, Joan Harris Angell, and her husband, Otis Angell. Both the 1955 County Assessor card and the County website give 1954 as the date of construction of this house. The County has sometimes been found to be in error with respect to the dates of construction of historic buildings in Louisville. In this case, however, no evidence was found that would suggest that the 1954 date is not correct. Also, the fact that the property was assessed so shortly after construction would suggest that the date is accurate. Schmidt Family Ownership and Residency, 1954-2015 Albert Schmidt (1924-2003) and Eileen Harris Schmidt (1927-1998) purchased Lot 8 in 1953 and had their house at 1309 Jefferson constructed on it in 1954. Eileen Harris Schmidt was descended from old Louisville and Boulder County families. Her father, William Harris, was part of the pioneer Brierley family of this area, while her mother, Hazel Zarini, was part of the Zarini family from Italy that settled in the 800 block of La Farge Avenue in Louisville, along with her sisters, Joan (Angell) and Nadine (Caranci). Eileen Harris married Albert Schmidt in 1949. Eileen put in many hours and efforts at the Louisville Historical Museum as am 18-year volunteer member of the Louisville Historical Commission before her death in 1998. Albert Schmidt, who went by the nickname of "Smitty," was born in Kansas and served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, flying bombing missions as tail gunner in Europe and the Balkans. According to his obituary, his aircraft was shot down in 1945 "and he was missing in action and a prisoner of war for three months in northern Italy, before the U.S. liberation. During the crash, he suffered severe injury to his vocal chords, which left him with only a whisper. After his release, he spent two years at Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver. He received the Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaves, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star during his military career." His obituary also stated that he was employed by Rocky Flats Arsenal as an X-ray technician from 1953 until his retirement in 1989. In the house at 1309 Jefferson, Albert and Eileen raised their four children, Albert C. "Chris," Laura "Laurie," Theresa, and Charles "Chuck." Eileen's sister, Joan Harris Angell, and her family meanwhile lived next door at 1301 Jefferson for several decades. The following photo of the house and a ground layout sketch are from the Boulder County Assessor card that dates from 1955, not long after the house was built. (The address stated on the card is 1306 Jefferson, but the legal description, the photo, and the stated owners make it clear that it is the card for 1309 Jefferson.) 2