Historical Survey Report 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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alternative, the complexion of the Louisville area would undoubt- edly experience profound changes. The old adage of history re- peating itself deserves serious regard in this instance. PART II: THE "BUILT ENVIRONMENT" Onto this brief overview of Louisville's historical devel- opment, a picture of the towns structures and architecture can be placed in perspective. The buildings which have survived from the turn of the century to those of more modern vintage provide a visible record of the evolving economies, personalities, and popular taste which have contributed to make Louisville what it is today. After Louis Nawatney platted the original townsite in 1878 and the first immigrants began to arrive, the most common form of temporary housing became an excavated dugout covered by a tent. This served not only the purpose of providing shelter while money and materials were secured for more substantial housing, but also completed the necessary task of digging foundations. Although situated in a grassland environment with few nearby trees to build with, lumber seems to have been readily available from the beginning because of the railroad access to Boulder and the lumber yards and sawmills located there. A map sketched of Louisville in about 1880-81, located a lumber yard at the north- west corner of Front and Pine, run by V. H. Darrow. Van H. Darrow had come to Louisville in 1879, spending the previous year in the lumber business at the new boom town of Leadville. He again began a lumber operation in conjunction with a mercantile store, with C. C. Welch, his brother-in-law and business partner. Other early lumber companies located near the railroad tracks were Simpson Bros., McCallister's, and Ernest -Grill. The latter two had main operations in Boulder, and apparently also supplied house plans for contractors or, often as not, miners who personally constructed their own homes. Many of the miners had become skilled at their professions in the east or abroad before they arrived, and the principles of timbering mine shafts could be transferred to