713 Spruce St Historic Survey (Demolished)

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Resource Number: 5BL 11319 Temporary Resource Number: 157508414007 Source of information: 1900 census and 1904 Louisville directory identify Charles Taylor as a carpenter 28. Original owner: Charles W. Taylor Source of information: Boulder County deed 29. Construction history (include description and dates of major additions, alterations, or demolitions): The house was probably built in the 1890s. It has been extensively altered since then. In 1956, a porch was removed and bathroom added. A projecting bay window on the front facade in the 1948 Assessor's photo no longer exists. Large additions were constructed in 1966 and 1988, extending the house to the east and south. The older, eastern part of the garage was built in 1972. The garage was enlarged at a later unknown date. 30. Original location X Moved Date of move(s): V. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS 31. Original use(s): Domestic, Single Dwelling 32. Intermediate use(s): N/A 33. Current use(s): Domestic, Single Dwelling 34. Site type(s): Urban residence 35. Historical background: This building is part of Jefferson Place, the first residential subdivision in Louisville. The property at 713 Spruce was associated with two prominent families, the Taylor family and the Eberharter family. The Eberharter family also owned other properties in the Jefferson Place subdivision. In fact, this residence was in a unique location in that it was situated between the William Austin store to the west (no longer extant) and the Eberharter store, which became the Ed Smith store, close by to the east at 805 La Farge (5BL7984). The current owners have had 713 Spruce for over 55 years, since 1955. The first owner of the property, after Jefferson Place developer Charles Welch, was Charles W. Taylor, by a deed recorded in 1893. Records indicate that the parcel at the time consisted of only Lots 18 and 19. Charles W. Taylor was born in Pennsylvania in 1866 and came to Louisville with his parents and siblings. In 1891, he married Mary Jane Atkin (also stated to be Atkins). He died in 1937. Records indicate that she was born circa 1866- 1876 and died in 1956. Mary Jane Taylor had other connections to Jefferson Place. Research has revealed that the nearby home at 721 La Farge (5BL 7980) was the home of her parents, William and Margaret Atkin. They owned it from 1891 until 1918. The Atkin family was one of Louisville's early mining families who came from England, and Mary Jane was born in England. Charles Taylor had an interesting personal history. He served as a Louisville councilman from 1896 to 1898 and was mayor of Louisville from 1899 to 1900 and 1904 to 1905 (during the time that he was an owner of 713 Spruce, and appears to have lived there). He worked as a carpenter, according to the 1900 census and the 1904 Louisville directory. However, by 1910, he was a weigh boss for a coal mine, and by 1920, he was foreman. A 1932 newspaper article states that he became "top foreman" of the Acme, Rex No. 1, and Hecla Mines. He was also a member of several early bands, including the first band in Louisville that reportedly started in 1889. His instruments were cornet, trombone, and baritone. He then became the band instructor of a second band, called "Paddock's Band" or "The Silk Hat Band." According to the 1932 newspaper article, this band "won the reputation of being the finest band in the state" and it performed at the opening of the Boulder Chautauqua on July 4, 1898. Another band to which he belonged was the Musicians' Union Band, for which he was the instructor. C. W. Taylor also organized a boys' band, and he is shown with these boys in the photo below taken in front of the Miners Trading Co. building at what is today 701 Main Street (5BL8008). The photo was likely taken between 1890 and 1910: 3