Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2010 10 18

Metadata

Thumbnails

Annotations

Low stone block markers are placed throughout the site to aid in the location of graves. The northeast corner of the cemetery contains a small area that is filled with the graves of children. This cemetery contains no historic wood or metalfencing such as that seen in other Colorado burial grounds. Cultural Features:Evidence of the fraternal origins of the cemetery can be seen today in the separate sections devoted to individual organizations. The Knights of Pythias have a flat triangular concrete monument flanked by pine trees nearthe entrance to the cemetery. The Improved Order of Red Men has a low grave-like monument with concrete slabs and a carved sandstone marker in their section. Near the center of the cemetery is a large upright granite slab veterans’ monument. The marker dates from 1924, although it is understood that it was moved to the cemetery from downtown Louisville sometime around the 1970s. It is believed to have originally stood in front of the old town hall building. The monument commemorates Louisville veterans of World War I, someof whom died in the conflict. Adjacent to the monument is a flagpole. The grave markers throughout the site provide evidence of the ethnic origins of the community. Although numerous Anglo-Saxon family names are present, so are many Italian and Hispanic surnames. While many of these families were involved in agriculture, others came to the area to work in the coal mines. A good number of the graves were observed to be decorated with flowers or statuary. Others are ornamented with extensive collections of these items along with additional mementos placed there by loved ones. Caretakers’ Shed:Located along the original west-central boundary of the historic burial sections, at the west end of the entry road, is a rustic caretakers’ shed.This small building was constructed of rough blocks of randomly placed sandstone held together with concrete mortar. The building has a flat concrete slab roof that slopes downward toward the west for drainage. A wood slab door is present on the east elevation,along with two fixed windows. A larger pair of wood swingingdoors isfound on the south elevation. This building, as noted above, appears to have been constructed around 1940 by citizen volunteers. Historical Significance The cemetery contains burials that date from its founding in the early 1890s through the present time. Some older graves may be present, although these were reportedly moved to this site from the cemetery at Superior. The three original fraternal order sections remain in place today, along with a newer city section to the southwest. The cemeteryis still located in the countryside one mile east of the City of Louisville. Because the surroundings have not been heavily altered, the cemetery’s historic rural setting andcharacter are largely intact.The original layout of the cemetery is still clearly apparent.