Historical Survey Report 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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basic frame construction. These first frame vernacular dwellings were generally one story, with two or three rooms and simple exterior detailing. Depending upon an owner's economic situation, bay windows might be added or a porch with turned supports and railing. Although many of these homes have gone through the modernization process of additions and synthetic siding, a large stock of this first modest housing remains throughout the older section of town, principally on LaFarge between Pine and Walnut in Jefferson Place, (the oldest addition to the town, platted in 1880). Louisville's first commercial buildings were also constructed on a small scale with the typical western false front in preva- lence, providing a more imposing appearance and space for adver- tising. These buildings, consisting largely of general stores, liveries, blacksmith shops, and saloons, were clustered in the Original Town along Front (First) Street, and Main (Second) Street. There are no existing examples of these simple commercial struc- tures dating before 1890, however the old two-story saloon on Front which dates from 1893, provides a good approximation of the style although on a more stylized and larger order. What is most striking from an initial survey of Louisville, is the scarcity of brick buildings which are fifty or more years old. Although as pointed out, lumber was readily available, other factors have contributed to bring about this fact. Typically, mining communities, (like Central City and Georgetown which sur- vived the first years of the gold and silver rushes), passed from a secondary stage of frame construction to more massive multi -story brick buildings. This was a means of projecting an image of sta- bility and permanence in an effort to attract continued business and growth. Louisville broke from this pattern not so much be- cause it failed to reach economic maturity, even though the seasonal nature of the mines and the strike years played a major role in limiting economic growth. Rather, the actual undermining of the town by two of the earliest mines, the Acme and Caledonia, posed the very real threat of subsidence. An 1893 insurance map showed only two brick structures in the downtown area. One, the Miner's Trading Company, was a two story building which served as the company