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Resource Number: 5BL919 <br />Temporary Resource Number: 157508425003 <br />In 1976, the Louisville Urban Renewal Authority, as part of its Program for Neighborhood Improvement, <br />accomplished several work items on this house. These included removal of a brick planter along the south <br />side, new roofing, window repairs, replacement of window screens, new gutters and downspouts, painting, <br />correction of code violations in electrical, heating and plumbing categories, and replacement of bathroom <br />fixtures. Structural modifications at the same time included installation of additional floor joists at the second <br />floor framing, new wood beams, wood posts and concrete pads to support the first floor, and new concrete <br />foundation along the south and west exterior walls. The Louisville Urban Renewal Authority focused on <br />redevelopment of existing neighborhoods and properties rather than demolition of substandard housing. Funds <br />derived in part from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program established by the federal <br />Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The CDBG program was a response to widespread <br />opposition to sweeping large-scale inner-city demolition "urban renewal" projects that took place in the 1950s <br />and 1960s. <br />In 1979, a permit was issued to owners Bob and Rolene Hinsberger to expand the kitchen and remodel the <br />exterior. The extent of the exterior remodeling was not described on the permit. An 80-square-foot addition was <br />constructed at the rear (east side) of the house at that time. The 1985 inventory states that there were no <br />outbuildings, but the 1950 County Assessor card identifies a garage, so the date of construction of the small <br />garage southeast of the house is unclear. The 2000 inventory incorrectly states that the east addition predates <br />the 1960s. <br />The front porch was rebuilt in 1982. Compared to the 1950 Assessor photograph, the new porch roof is steeper <br />and the design of the columns and railings was modified. The 1950s porch configuration may not have been <br />original. An undated, ca. 1930s photograph appears to show a railing at the second floor, indicating that there <br />was a second -floor porch. The middle window on the second floor may have been a door at that time. The <br />central brick chimney also appears to be taller in the 1930s photograph. <br />The garage at the northeast corner of the lot was built in 2005. A deck along the east side of the house was <br />added in 2006. In 2010, the first floor framing was replaced and structural helical piers installed. <br />Landscape or special setting description: Jefferson Place Subdivision is a historic residential neighborhood <br />adjacent to downtown Louisville. The subdivision is laid out on a standard urban grid of narrow, deep lots with <br />rear alleys. Houses are built to a fairly consistent setback line along the streets with small front lawns, deep <br />rear yards and mature landscaping. Small, carefully maintained single-family residences predominate. Most of <br />the houses are wood framed, one or one and one-half stories in height, featuring white or light-colored <br />horizontal wood or steel siding, gabled or hipped asphalt shingled roofs and front porches. While many of the <br />houses have been modified over the years, most of the historic character -defining features have been <br />preserved. <br />728 LaFarge is consistent with these patterns and blends well with the scale and character of the neighborhood. <br />This house is one of a few full two-story residences in the neighborhood. <br />9. Changes in Condition: None. <br />10. Changes to Location or Size Information: Size of residence is approximately 1500 square feet. <br />11. Changes in Ownership: Current owners are Scriggins & Irving, 728 LaFarge, Louisville, CO 80027 <br />12. Other Changes, Additions, or Observations: <br />Further research has yielded new information about the history of 728 La Farge. <br />This property relates to Louisville's early Austrian settlers, as the Gutfelder family owned the property for fifty-six <br />years, from 1891 to 1947, and lived in the house for many years after it was built. Property records suggest that the <br />lots to the north, which are the location of 800/804 Spruce (5BL925) and 810 Spruce (5BL8026), were also originally <br />part of this parcel owned by Louis Gutfelder. There is evidence that the house at 728 La Farge is older than <br />previously believed. <br />The house was also owned by the Merciez family, whose members were of French heritage, for twenty-seven years. <br />2 <br />