738 Jefferson Ave Historic Survey

Home Browse Search

Resource Number: 5BL858 Temporary Resource Number: 157508426005 wood sash windows that probably replaced the original garage door. The north side of the structure has one historic single -hung wood window and one wood four -panel door with a single light. IV. ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY 25. Date of Construction: Estimate: 1898 Actual: Source of information: Boulder County property records, Boulder County Assessor card, master index 26. Architect: Unknown Source of information: NA 27. Builder/Contractor: Unknown Source of information: NA 28. Original owner: Julian Gradel Source of information: Boulder County property records 29. Construction history (include description and dates of major additions, alterations, or demolitions): A partial basement added before 1950. A small south side addition was added before 1950. Between 1948 and 1982, the front porch was added and wood shingle roofing was changed to asphalt shingles. There appear to be two additions on the south side of the house and one lean-to addition to the outbuilding/garage. The house fascia and bargeboard trim were modified after 1948. In 1948, the house fascia and bargeboard trim resembled the details that still exist on the outbuilding. The Louisville building permit files go back to about 1962 and contain no records of building permits for this property, so there is no further information about when these modifications occurred. The 1948 Assessor's card notes that the building was in poor condition, but it is in good condition now. 30. Original location X Moved Date of move(s): V. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS 31. Original use(s): Domestic, Single Dwelling 32. Intermediate use(s): NA 33. Current use(s): Domestic, Single Dwelling 34. Site type(s): Urban residence 35. Historical background: Development of Jefferson Place The subdivision in which 738 Jefferson is located is Jefferson Place. It was platted in 1880 by Charles Welch, the prominent Colorado businessman who played a large role in the founding of Louisville in 1878 and the opening of its first coal mine. Gradel/Kilhoffer Ownership, 1898-1923 According to Boulder County property records, Julian Gradel purchased this property in 1898 from Charles Welch, the developer of Jefferson Place. The year of construction for the house given by the County (1900) could be correct, but it could be concluded that the house was constructed a little earlier since Gradel had a family and did not own other property. Julian Gradel was born in France in 1860. He was in Louisville by 1892. He played an important role in Louisville history and appears to have been a colorful character. He was the town clerk and served on the town council. Louisville directories say that he was a justice of the peace and water commissioner for Louisville. Census records indicate that he was also a coal miner. An article from the Sept. 19, 1896 Boulder Daily Camera stated, "Populist candidate for the legislature, George Clark, of Louisville, was in town today under the management of Julian Gradel, the recognized boss of that place." Julian Gradel and Louise Wattelet had been married in 1892, when he was about 32 and she was around 15. Louise Wattelet, like Gradel, had been born in France. She grew up in the Superior/Marshall area. Julian and 3