805 LaFarge Ave Historic Survey - Laserfiche WebLink

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Resource Number: 5BL7984 Temporary Resource Number: 157508414012 Landscape or special setting description: Jefferson Place Subdivision is a historic residential neighborhood adjacent to downtown Louisville. The subdivision is laid out on a standard urban grid of narrow, deep lots with rear alleys. Houses are built to a fairly consistent setback line along the streets with small front lawns, deep rear yards and mature landscaping. Small, carefully maintained single-family residences predominate. Most of the houses are wood framed, one or one and one-half stories in height, featuring white or light-colored horizontal wood or steel siding, gabled or hipped asphalt shingled roofs and front porches. While many of the houses have been modified over the years, there is a clear intent to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood. 805 LaFarge was originally a general store, but its modified appearance does not convey that history, nor does its architectural design blend with other homes in the neighborhood. It does maintain a consistent scale with the rest of the neighborhood. The building is set very close to the front sidewalk, with a small grass lawn enclosed by a chain link fence. It is on the same property with, and very close to, 801 LaFarge, with which it is historically associated. The two buildings share a fenced back yard with a grass lawn. An outbuilding (garage and secondary residence) is at the west end of the common yard, and is described with 801 LaFarge (5BL852). 9. Changes in Condition: None. 10. Changes to Location or Size Information: None. 11. Changes in Ownership: Same ownership as 2000 inventory form. 12. Other Changes, Additions, or Observations: Further research has yielded more information about the ownership and use of the building from when the Eberharter family owned it prior to the early 1930s, and some information about 801 and 805 La Farge from the time of the Smith ownership after the 1930s. These two properties (on Lots 1 and 2) have always been owned together. 1.) 805 La Farge was the store of Ludwig (sometimes referred to as "Louis") and Martha Baier Eberharter for nearly thirty years in the early 1900s and they had their residence next door at what is now 801 La Farge. Both Ludwig and Martha had been born in Germany and were part of Louisville's early German population. Martha Baier was living in Louisville by 1880, when she was 2 years old. Martha and Ludwig Eberharter achieved prominence in Louisville after somewhat humble beginnings when Ludwig was a coal miner. They came to own many properties and had a number of business interests. Ludwig was mayor in 1914-15. After he died in the 1930s, Martha continued to look after their business interests. In 1990, the Louisville Historical Commission and Chamber of Commerce honored Martha Eberharter posthumously with the Louisville Pioneer Award. A January 17, 1990 article from The Louisville Times states that "[t]he couple managed a series of successful investments, including a general merchandise store located at the northwest corner of Spruce and LaFarge [sic].... Eberharter saw to it that local miners received credit at her store through the summer months when they were out of work." According to their granddaughter, Claudine Eberharter Seader, the Eberharter cattle farm property located south of Boulder was taken by the federal government for the construction in the early 1950s of the Rocky Flats, a nuclear arms production complex. According to Seader, her grandparents also had an ownership interest in a local coal mine, the Hi -Way Mine, which was in operation from 1930 to 1954, and owned other businesses. Charles C. Welch, the developer of Jefferson Place, sold Lots 1 and 2 of Block 5 (now the location of 801 and 805 La Farge) to his sister-in-law, Lucy Welch, in 1882. Other early owners were William Hart (1882- 1892) and John and Helen Jasko (1892-1903). Martha Eberharter acquired Lots 1 and 2 in 1903. By 1904, she and her husband, Ludwig, were listed in the Louisville section of the Boulder County Directory as living at "Lafarge and Spruce," which would describe the location of 801 La Farge. Ludwig was listed as a "merchant." The federal census records for 1910, 1920, and 1930, each show Martha and Ludwig Eberharter living on La Farge and having the general store. In 1910, Ludwig's occupation was listed as being the storekeeper of a general store, and Martha was the "sales lady" and their son, Frank, a "delivery boy." 2