824 LaFarge Ave Historic Survey - Laserfiche WebLink

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Resource Number: 5BL7992 Temporary Resource Number: 157508415010 doors on the second floor provides access to the balcony. The first floor front entrance features a natural finish wood 6-panel door with a clear transom light. South of the door are three simple white aluminum single hung windows. Door and window trim is painted light sage green. First floor windows on the south side are single light awning style, set in two arrangements of three windows. Landscape or special setting description: The house is set close to the front sidewalk, with a small lawn area in the front and a concrete walk to the front porch. At the north end on the front side there is a flagstone path leading to a wood picket fence. There is also a flagstone path along the south side of the addition leading to the back yard. A six-foot wooden privacy fence encloses the back yard and separates it from the asphalt alley. The back yard is grassy and contains a 100-year-old Granny Smith apple tree that still produces fruit. There is a small gambrel -roofed storage shed in the back yard. 9. Changes in Condition: The current condition of the property is good. 10. Changes to Location or Size Information: The location has not changed. The size of the house has increased by 1500 square feet as a result of two additions since 2000. 11. Changes in Ownership: Same ownership as 2000 inventory form. 12. Other Changes, Additions, or Observations: Further research has yielded more information about the ownership and use of the property. This property is believed to have been the first property in Louisville owned by an Italian. Obviously, many more Italian born people began to acquire lots and homes in Louisville after the purchase of this home in 1890, given Louisville's strong Italian heritage and the fact that it was a colony for Italians in Colorado. The current owners have put on a two story addition to the south and were able to save the original house and incorporate it into the design. Zarini Family, Owners 1890-1965 The subdivision in which 824 La Farge is located was Jefferson Place which began to be developed in 1880 by Charles Welch, a prominent Colorado businessman who played a large role in the founding of Louisville and the opening of its first coal mine. The owners of this property from 1883 to 1890 were Josef and Theresa Unterasner. The most significant owners were Joseph and Virginia Zarini. Living in a poor small town (called Villa Dozia or Dozio in Lombardy in northern Italy) the young couple had a very hard life. Later, Joseph would use the Italian word "miseria" — poverty, misery — to describe their reason for coming to America. In 1884, at the age of about 28, Joseph emigrated, settled in Marshall, and sent for Virginia and their daughter. Joseph found work in the many coal mines in Marshall. They had two more children in Marshall. It is believed that Joseph Zarini had a house constructed for his growing family soon after he acquired the property in 1890. Boulder County records suggest 1904 as the date of construction, but it is likely that this was actually the year that an even earlier house was remodeled. Joseph and Virginia had five more children, for a total of eight: Edith; Charles; Henry (Rico); Joe Jr.; Marie; Peter; Flora; and William (Beb). These ten people lived together in this house of about 863 square feet. In fact, the 1900 census shows twelve members of the Zarini family living here. Joseph and Virginia's youngest son, William Zarini, was killed at age 21 in the Interurban Wreck of 1920 near Globeville. The train was carrying a large group of people from Louisville to Denver to watch a baseball game on Labor Day. Son Peter was also on the train, but was able to jump free. Joseph sponsored his younger brother, Peter, to come to the United States and to Louisville. Peter settled a few houses away at 804 La Farge with his wife, Savina, and their large family. Over the years, many Zarinis have lived on La Farge and their descendants still live in the Louisville area. 2