Historical Commission Agenda and Packet 2017 09 14

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Louisville Interpretive Signs 1. South Street Underpass Interpretive Sign 245 words Welcome to historic downtown Louisville! Explore the rich history of the city and discover why Louisville has repeatedly been recognized as one of America's best places to Live. Louisville was first platted in 1878 when Louis Nawatny, a surveyor for C.C. Welch Mining Co. Not only did Nawatny find coal and set up the city's first mine he also platted 8 blocks of a town to support the mine's incoming workers. In the late 1870s, more mines were established bringing not only an influx of miners but also merchants, builders, bartenders, and others who could make a profit in the developing region. Mining provided the livelihood for many of Louisville's residents. Unfortunately, due to the high moisture content of the coal, it quickly deteriorated and could not be shipped or stored for long.. To earn extra money in the off season, miners often worked as farm hands to help with summer harvests. The 1950s was a decade of change for Louisville. Until this time, the city was without paved roads and a sewage system. Natural gas replaced coal as the primary source of energy and the city switched to dial telephones. The final mines closed and the infrastructure upgrades allowed Louisville to continue growing in a time of economic uncertainty. More recently, as the Denver and Boulder Metro regions grew, what was once farmland surrounding downtown was replaced by housing developments. What began as a town of 550 in 1882, has since surpassed 20,000 people. 2. Old Town/Center for the Arts Interpretive Sign 365 words Welcome to the historical residential area of Louisville, known as Old Town. Old Town Louisville is a combination of subdivisions dating from the late 19th century to the mid -20th century. Unlike typical mining towns, Louisville's residential development occurred over time with residents often constructing their own houses to create an eclectic mix of vernacular houses. Churches and schools complete the community feel of the Old Town neighborhood. Before you is the Louisville Center for the Arts, built in 1894 to accommodate the growing population, it was the City's fourth school. Following its use as a school, the building became a community space for Louisville residents of all ages. In 1940 Chinook Public Library moved into the school house and remained there for nine years. The Lions Club transformed the building into a recreational hall in 1952. Residents would come to play jacks and participate in ping pong tournaments. Local youth sports leagues used the former school for equipment storage. Tennis courts were also installed on the north side of the building. The bell tower needed repair and was torn down for safety reasons in 1955. The Louisville School District donated the building to the City in 1961 to continue its use a recreational facility for the community. While constructing Memory Square Park in the early 1970s, Grant Avenue in front of the building was permanently closed. In 1972, the City constructed a pool house on the north side of the Center for the Arts.