701 McKinley Ave History - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Steinbaugh Ownership, 1932-1979; Discussion of Date of Construction J.J. Steinbaugh (1868-1950) purchased Lots 6-11 (the parcel at 701 McKinley plus the parcel that is now 705 McKinley) in 1932. The Steinbaugh blacksmithing, lumber, and then hardware business played a prominent role in Louisville history. In 1957, an issue of the Louisville Times was devoted to the Steinbaugh family business, which was then 65 years old: The Louisville Times Mav 31, 1957 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. A 2015 Boulder Magazine article detailed the impact of the Steinbaugh family business on Louisville: http://getboulder.com/steinbaughs-hardware-hardwired-for-hardware/ . J.J. Steinbaugh and Elizabeth "Carrie" Steinbaugh (1873-1956) lived previously at 945 Front. Records indicate that they lived elsewhere in Louisville after they moved out of 945 Front and before moving in to 701 McKinley. J.J. and Carrie Steinbaugh divorced in 1947. J.J. stayed in the house at 701 McKinley, and Carrie moved to California. The 1948 Boulder County Assessor card for this property as well as the current Boulder County Assessor website both give 1933 as the year of construction. Although the County has been found to be in error with respect to the dates of construction of some historic buildings in Louisville, this date appears to be accurate. The 1909 Drumm's Wall Map of Louisville indicates that there was not a house at this location at that time. In addition, a new owner (J.J. Steinbaugh) purchased the property in 1932 and the available directories for the years after 1933 show residents of a house there. Biographical information about J.J. Steinbaugh in the Louisville Times similarly supports the approximate date of 1933, though it states 1935: [945 Front] was the family home until in 1935 when the brick house at the corner of McKinley and Pine was built. Except for the two years spent on his ranch near Boulder creek, Mr. Steinbaugh lived there until his death, December 5, 1950, when he was almost 83 years old. His grandson, Jim, and family now live in the home. J. J. continued active in his business until 1941, when he retired to his ranch which he operated with a hired hand until 1943. Since the 1933 date is drawn from the 1948 County Assessor card, it is worth noting that the Steinbaugh family that built the house still owned it in 1948, and so they were likely the source for the construction date of 1933. For all of the foregoing reasons, the date of construction is assumed to be 1933. The following images show the photo of the house from the 1948 County Assessor card and a ground layout sketch of the house at that time, during the ownership by J.J. Steinbaugh: 2