Historical Commission Agenda and Packet 2017 09 14

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Louisville Interpretive Signs The former school was used as the Louisville Senior Center from 1980 to 1990, before becoming the Center for the Arts. It now hosts art galleries, craft fairs, movie screenings, and theatrical productions. A replica bell tower based on historic photographs was constructed in 2004, returning the building to its original look. In 2005, the City designated the Center for the Arts as a local historic landmark. In 2018, the City reconstructed in the 1972 and restored the north wall of the Center for the Arts with a grant from the local Historic Preservation Fund. In its more than 100 -year history, the former school house has supported education and community events for the city's residents and continues to do so today. 3. 740 Front Street Interpretive Sign 250 words The saloons on Front Street and the businesses and civic buildings on Main Street (formerly Second Street) were the center of town activities. Following a day in the mines, many men would gather at one of the numerous saloons. Louisville earned a reputation for its saloons, having as many as 13 on Front Street in the early 20th century. Early saloons in Louisville were simple wood frame structures with false fronts and minimal furnishings. Front Street was male -dominated and most saloons frowned upon serving women. After work, miners could walk to their favorite saloon and fill their lunch pail for 5 cents. An 1895 audit reported that the town made $4,000 from the sale of saloon licenses. This was the single largest source of revenue for the town that year. 740 Front Street and 1006 Pine Street are the two remaining buildings that housed saloons in Louisville. Eusebio Joseph Di Francia, one of the city's first Italian business owners, opened Di Francia's Saloon at 740 Front Street in 1904. Di Francia's was favored by Italians but there were reportedly also saloons catering to other ethnicities such as Slovaks and Germans. During Prohibition many saloons were transformed into pool halls or closed all together. Following the repeal of prohibition in the 1930s, many cities around Louisville maintained the ban on alcohol. Consequently, Front Street's many saloons became a popular destination for people living on the Front Range. Downtown Louisville continues to attract visitors to its restaurants, shops, festivals and night life. 4. 10101 Dillion Road Interpretive Sign 325 words The industrial property before you was once part of the agricultural land that surrounded Louisville. Due to the seasonal nature of mining and the proximity to the railroad, farming was an important part of the Louisville economy in the late 19th century and through most of the 20th century. Major crops grown in Boulder County at the turn of century were wheat, barley, alfalfa, and sugar beets. Farmers also raised dairy cattle, swine and poultry. Until the 1930s, agricultural work was done by hand or with horses. To ease the workload, miners were hired as farmhands during the summer harvests.