901 LaFarge Ave Historic Survey - Laserfiche WebLink

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Resource Number: 5BL 7995 Temporary Resource Number: 157508405011 concrete stoop that is two steps up from the sidewalk. The stoop is sheltered by a small gabled projecting roof with vertical vinyl gable siding, supported by two clear -finish aluminum scrolled posts. Construction History: 901 LaFarge was constructed in 1948. The original wall siding was asbestos and the gable siding was vertical wood board siding. The siding was replaced in 1975. 717 Walnut was constructed in1951. Its siding has also been replaced, at an unknown date. Neither house has been significantly modified on the exterior. Landscape or special setting description: Jefferson Place Subdivision is a historic residential neighborhood adjacent to downtown Louisville. The subdivision is laid out on a standard urban grid of narrow, deep lots with rear alleys. Houses are built to a fairly consistent setback line along the streets with small front lawns, deep rear yards and mature landscaping. Small, carefully maintained single-family residences predominate. Most of the houses are wood framed, one or one and one-half stories in height, featuring white or light-colored horizontal wood or steel siding, gabled or hipped asphalt shingled roofs and front porches. While many of the houses have been modified over the years, most of the historic character -defining features have been preserved. 901 La Farge and 717 Walnut are consistent with these patterns and blend well with the scale and character of the neighborhood, although they are of later construction than most of the houses in Jefferson Place. This property is a corner lot with two residences, one facing LaFarge and the other facing Walnut. Both properties are open to the adjacent sidewalks, with grassy front and side yards. There is a concrete patio between the two houses, and a brick patio behind 717. 9. Changes in Condition: None. 10. Changes to Location or Size Information: None. 11. Changes in Ownership: The house was sold in 2004 to the current owner, the Ray family of 2400 East Street, Louisville CO 80027. 12. Other Changes, Additions, or Observations: Further research has yielded more information about the ownership and use of the building. This property has two houses, 901 La Farge and 717 Walnut. They are side by side on this corner parcel, with 901 La Farge facing east on La Farge and 717 Walnut facing south on Walnut. 901 La Farge was constructed in 1948 and 717 Walnut was constructed in 1951, according to Boulder County records. These houses were associated with Tony and Anna Udovich. The house at 901 La Farge replaced a house that was at this corner location by 1893. It was the home of Blasius and Mary Pertna (sometimes stated to be "Pertner.") Blasius Pertna, a coal miner, died in his home in 1927 at the age of 67. In 1939, Mary Pertna died. The address in 1916 was 403 Walnut and in 1918 was 402 La Farge Ave., under Louisville's old address system. Tony and Anna Udovich purchased this property in 1943 when it is believed that the original corner house was still located there. Tony Udovich (1906-1995) was born in Slovenia and immigrated to the US in 1911 at the age of 4 with his mother. Their village in Slovenia was stated to be Grafenbrunn. Tony Udovich's siblings who are known to have been in Louisville are Joe (1912-1978) and Julie Fisher. Anna "Annie" Udovich (1907-2004) was the daughter of John Softich and Mary Zado Softich. Members of the Zado family owned or resided in other houses in the 900 block of La Farge, including next door at 909 La Farge (5BL7996). Anna was born in Delagua, Colorado. According to her obituary, she married Tony Udovich in 1929 and they moved to Louisville in 1932. Tony and Anna Udovich are listed in the 1943 and 1946 Louisville directories as living at 903 La Farge, which in all likelihood was this location (there were variations in addresses even under Louisville's new address system that seem to have occurred in the 1940s in particular). It seems likely that they lived in the original house before presumably demolishing it to construct a new house in 1948. In 1949, the directory lists their home as being at 905 La Farge, which likely would still be a reference to this property. 2