20 September 2005
Contact: Constance La Lena 719-846-8788
Robin and Jane Barker, owners of the Stone Mansion Bed & Breakfast
at 212 East Second Street in Trinidad, have been notified by the U. S.
Department of the Interior, National Park Service, that their property
is now listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. The National Register is the official list of the Nation�s cultural resources which contribute to an understanding of
the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation.
The Stone Mansion property has been recognized for its contribution to
the heritage of the state of Colorado because of its architecture which
possesses high artistic value and represents the work of a master.
Designed by the noted architectural firm of I.H. and W.M. Rapp, the
most influential architects in Trinidad's history, the residence is
believed to be the firm�s most distinguished extant residential
commission. The building displays high artistic values in the quality
of its stonework, multiple shingled gables, variety of windows, and
wraparound porch. It is representative of transitional eclectic
architecture combining late Victorian influences in its rock-faced
masonry and shingled gables with flared eaves, broad porch, and
pared-down ornament popular in early twentieth century styles.
The Stone Mansion is also
associated with the development of the upper class residential area
known as "Aristocracy Hill" which is two blocks southeast of the
present day intersection of Main and Commercial, the original
intersection of two branches of the Santa Fe Trail. Ranching and
mercantile trade provided the first wave of Trinidad's wealth-producing
growth, and the area�s most prominent businessmen built substantial
homes on the hill above the business district. By the turn of the
twentieth century, a second wave of prosperity from coal mining
provided the means to build even larger homes in this neighborhood. In
1904 and 1905, C.H. Nichols, a pioneer Trinidad business leader and
city mayor, built the Stone Mansion residence and carriage house.
Nichols had come to Trinidad in 1879 when it was little more than an
adobe village. Twenty-five years later, when Nichols decided to build
his new home, he purchased a property with a small adobe house from
pioneer merchant Abe Mansbach and did what many other prominent
businessmen were doing at the time: replacing a first generation
pioneer vernacular home with a new and substantial architect-designed
building. Nichols demolished the old adobe structures, and began to
build his mansion which cost $15,000, a fortune at the time. It
contained every modern amenity, including a bowling alley in the
basement. Contrary to popular local belief, the house never contained a
swimming pool.
In the hundredth anniversary year of
the building of the house, the Barkers are undertaking a complete
rehabilitation of the exterior of the structure. With the assistance of
a grant from the State Historical Fund, the public face of the property
is being restored to its original 1905 appearance. The project
includes, re-shingling the decorative gables, restoring soffits and
modillions, rebuilding the internal rain gutters, restoring original
windows, repointing and cleaning masonry, and reroofing with fire-rated
cedar shingles. According to owner Jane Barker, "We are preparing the
building for its next hundred years."
The State Historical Fund is a nationally recognized program of the
state of Colorado, funded by tax revenues generated by gaming in the
towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. Grants are awarded
by competitive application to preserve Colorado's architectural and
archaeological treasures for public benefit, helping to save the
irreplaceable landmarks that tell the story of Colorado's rich cultural
history.
Preservation
sponsor is the Trinidad Historical Society. Project manager is
Constance La Lena, who provides historic preservation services,
including tax credit applications, National and State Register
nominations, grant writing and project administration to businesses and
organizations in southern Colorado.
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Constance La Lena
Restoration Design
124 East Second Street
Trinidad, CO 81082
laconstance@ria.net
719-846-8788