HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6 - historic-preservation-plan-2007HISTORIC
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Town Council Reso4titio,iri Page 5
6ig IMmIboi lMmm ods
airid Stiralegies
Conservallow Areas Page 55
knMervienhAhm/AcHan Henn Page 67
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Town Council
Resolution
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RESOLUTION NO. 2007- 72
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK HISTORIC
PRESERVATION PLAN
WHEREAS, Vision 2020 and the 2020 Comprehensive Master Plan express the
importance of preserving our historic buildings, and
WHEREAS, Town Council directed staff to prepare a Historic Preservation Plan to
establish goals, policies, and strategies related to the preservation of the Town's resources; and
WHEREAS, significant public outreach and input was obtained in formulation of the
Historic Preservation Plan; and
WHEf RE, AS, the Historic Preservation Board held a public hearing on April 4, 2,007 and
recontmended approval to Town Council by a vote of 7-0 with the condition that a mechanism be
created to allow the addition of future conservation areas; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Advisory Commission, at its April 5, 2007 meeting, voted
5-3 to recommend approval of the Historic Preservation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, at its April 12, 2007 meeting voted 5. toy
recommend approval of the Historic Preservation Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Adogtion. The Town of Castle Rock Historic Preservation Plan, in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit I is hereby approved and adopted by the Town Council for the
Town of Castle Rock, Colorado.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of June 2007, by
the Town Council of the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado, on fnrst and final reading by a vote of
6 for and o against.
ATT T: FAST EROCK—,
AvAkown Clerk Randy A. R�eed,' you
Sal y A. Mis "IT
,.Approvep as to form. Approved as to content:
(- r
( Robe- .. le z, Town Attorney Mark Stevens„ own Manager
Fvvla gi5tolic Piesemfion\ff? Plan 2006\Public Headngs=qIP Plan Reso 5-8-07.do�
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Executive
Summary
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The development of the Town's first Historic
Preservation Plan is the culmination of years of interest
by the community in protecting our historic resources.
The goals and policies contained within this Plan expand
upon the goals and policies set forth within the Vision 2020
Statement and the Comprehensive Master Plan. The Historic
Preservation Plan is intended to serve as a policy guide for
all other Town -wide plans and decisions as they relate to
identified historic resources.
The Historic Preservation Plan has three primary objectives:
1. To identify important historic trends and character
elements of the community that are worthy of
preservation.
2. To establish goals and policies to guide the community
with future decisions that could impact the Towris historic
resources.
3. To establish a work plan to guide future preservation
activities.
The Plan identifies four main goals for the community. These
goals are based upon the broad concepts of identification,
preservation, protection and restoration of the Town's historic
resources. The goals seek to ensure compatibility of new
structures within the historic context of our existing structures,
encourage preservation activities through incentives and
develop partnerships and programs to promote the Town's
history. The Plarfs goals are:
Goat 1: Safeguard and preserve the heritage of the Town by
historical designation of those buildings, districts, objects,
sites, and structures that reflect significant elements of the
Town's history.
Goat 2: Ensure that new development preserves or
enhances the character of the Downtown and Craig and
Gould neighborhoods.
Goat 3: Develop and provide incentives for the
preservation, restoration, and adaptive re -use of historic
properties.
Goal 4: Promote the Towris history and foster public
support, appreciation, and understanding of historic and
archeological resources through public education and
partnerships.
The Plan is also meant to provide clarity in the development
process as it relates to historic preservation through refined
policies on demolition, historic designation, documentation of
historic resources outside the downtown area, and contextual
infill design.
The Executive Summary provides brief summaries of the Plan
formulation process and the Plan organization including goals
and important implementation concepts of conservation areas
and design standards.
P kAn (,And
In order for the Plan to accurately represent the desires of the
community, while at the same time acknowledge the realities
of individual interests, it was important that a wide variety
of affected stakeholders participated in the process. Over 80
individuals with diverse interests participated in the formulation
of this Plan. In order to obtain adequate public input, 5 public
workshops, 3 sub -committee meetings, and various discussions
were held with the Historic Preservation Board, the Downtown
Advisory Commission and the Planning Commission over the
span of 7-months prior to the drafting of the Plan.
The main focus of public outreach occurred at monthly
workshops. For the first two months, all property and
business owners in the downtown area, as well as interested
organizations were invited to participate at the workshops. The
mailing list was reduced over time to people who had attended
at least one previous meeting. Additionally, members from
the Historic Preservation Board, Planning Commission, and
Downtown Advisory Commission have regularly participated.
Each month, a different aspect of historic preservation was
discussed, which eventually led to the formulation of the Plan.
Subcommittees were formed to address more complex topics
such as character, history, goals, policies, and design standards.
Overall, there were three sub -committees for this process: a
character sub -committee, a history sub -committee, and a policy
sub -committee.
The character sub -committee consisted of workshop
participants who walked throughout the downtown area and
photographed what they believed were character defining
elements. This group then shared their photos and ideas
with the participants in the following workshop. The larger
workgroup further refined the character descriptions for each
downtown neighborhood.
The history sub -committee consisted of workshop participants
who helped with historical research for the Plan. Individuals
were assigned events or people to research. Once the research
was done, it was used to compile the history section of the Plan.
The policy sub -committee consisted of property and business
owners, members of the Downtown Advisory Commission,
Historic Preservation Board, Planning Commission and
Councilmen Ryan Reilly and Ed Rusch. The purpose of this
committee was to discuss and provide feedback on the draft
goals and policies, the concepts of conservation areas and
the design standards, prior to proceeding with larger public
conversations of these items at the workshops.
Finally, additional outreach occurred once a draft of the Plan
was complete. Letters were sent to all property owners within
the historic downtown area seeking comments and informing
them of the Plan details and public hearing dates. Property
owners within the proposed conservation areas received letters
with information explaining how the Plan might affect them.
The Plan was posted on the website for download and comment.
A notice was published in a newspaper of general circulation
informing the general public of scheduled hearing dates.
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The Plan is organized into seven distinct sections. The
following summary of each section provides a good overview of
the Plan, its contents, and important concepts.
1. Introduction
The Introduction section of the Plan includes all the
background information on historic preservation in general,
why historic preservation is important to the community,
and the public involvement process utilized to formulate
the Plan. It also details the economic benefits of historic
preservation and the role it plays in successful planning
efforts.
2. History
This section provides the historical context for decisions
related to historic preservation. The history of the Town
is separated into seven distinct periods of significance. A
period of significance is a span of time where shared events,
activities, or patterns in our local history shape the people
and architecture within the community. The seven periods
of significance for the Town are:
. Prehistory - prior to 1860s
. 1860s to 1875 -
Early Settlement
. 1875 to 1900 -
Establishment of a Town
. 1900 to 1920s -
Early Growth
. 1920s to 1940s
- The Depression and War Years
. 1940s to 1980s
- Small -Town Life
3. Character of the Downtown
This section defines important historic character elements
of the downtown area that the workgroup considered
significant for preservation or enhancement. The
Downtown is broken up into four distinct neighborhoods:
North Wilcox, Central Downtown, South Wilcox, and Craig
and Gould (Figure 1). Each neighborhood has distinctive
characteristics that make it unique. For example, building
setbacks in North Wilcox are historically much different
than the zero setbacks in Central Downtown. North Wilcox
also has a more established tree canopy than Central
Downtown. The workgroup determined that South Wilcox,
for the most part, is not considered historic and should not
be treated as such.
. 1980s to Present - Growth and Development 4. Goals, Policies, Strategies
Goals are the guiding vision of any plan. As such, this
section is probably the most important. The goals explain
the overall objectives of the community as it relates to the
subject of the Plan. For example, the Comprehensive Plans
goals serve as the foundation for physical development in
the community. The goals of the Historic Preservation Plan
provide the basis for success for the community, relative to
protecting the Towns historic resources. The following goals
have been developed for the Plan:
Goat 1: To safeguard the heritage of the Town as
represented by those buildings, districts, objects, sites,
and structures that reflect significant elements of the
Towns history throughout the entire community.
Goat 2: Ensure new development preserves or enhances
the character of the downtown and Craig and Gould
neighborhoods.
Goat 3: Provide incentives to property owners for the
preservation, restoration, and adaptive re -use of historic
properties.
Goal 4: Foster public support and a greater appreciation
and understanding of historic and archaeological
resources through public education and partnerships.
The goals are very broad statements that set forth and detail
the importance of protecting the historic resources of the
community, ensuring that new development is compatible
with the Towns historic architecture and character,
providing incentives to carry out the preservation of the
Towns resources, and developing partnerships with like-
minded organizations to better educate the community on
the Towns heritage.
Each goat is supported by a set of policies and strategies
designed to ensure fruition of the goals. The following
are brief highlights of the more significant policies and
strategies:
Develop further documentation through surveys of the
downtown area and outlying areas.
Develop a historic district formation process.
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• Focus historic preservation activities on properties built
prior to 1945 (technically properties built after 1945
could be considered historic).
• Strengthen landmark designation criteria so that only
truly significant buildings are protected
• Develop conservation areas within the downtown to
focus on contiguous areas of historic properties that
are significant to the Town and retain a high degree of
context and integrity.
• Develop infill design standards for conservation areas.
The Downtown Plan will guide development outside of
the conservation areas.
• Refine the Historic Preservation Board's review
authority to focus on conservation areas within
downtown and the Craig and Gould neighborhoods,
rather than the downtown as a whole.
• Define demolition requirements for contributing
properties within downtown conservation areas,
landmark structures, and other significant structures
identified through the survey process. Applicants
would be required to demonstrate that no alternatives
to demolition exist, before a historic property is
demolished.
• Prohibit demolition of designated structures, unless a
hardship can be demonstrated.
• Require streetscape tree replacement for trees within
the public right-of-way. (This was identified as a
significant character element, especially along North
Wilcox, that the community felt strongly about
preserving and replacing).
• Re -zone the Craig and Gould neighborhood from R-2
(duplex) and R-3 (apartments) to some form of historic
residential district, with limited commercial and higher
densities along Front Street.
• Initiate landmark designation and identification of
important features owned by the Town and located
outside the downtown area (quarries, CCC camps, etc.).
5. Conservation Areas
Conservation areas are being proposed as a tool to further
preservation within the downtown area. Figure 2 shows
the proposed conservation areas in relation to the entire
downtown area. At the public meetings, it was pointed out
that there were large concentrated areas of relatively "new"
development located within the Downtown area of historic
significance. The Downtown area of historic significance
is the area over which the Historic Preservation Board has
design review authority.
The conservation area concept was proposed to identify
geographic areas where significant numbers of historic
buildings are still intact and maintain a high degree of
historic integrity and context. The areas identified are:
Courthouse Square, Wilcox School, and Perry Street. The
Craig and Gould neighborhood was also a candidate;
however, the participants believe that there may be enough
support from the residents to form a Historic District. A
Historic District is an area where all contributing properties
are treated as historic landmarks.
The Conservation Area section of the report shows these
areas in much greater detail. It also includes reasoning as to
why the areas are historically significant and provides detail
on when the structures within the areas were built and
whether the structure is contributing or non-contributing.
A non-contributing structure is a modern structure that
does not share history or characteristics with the historic
structures within that particular area.
At the public meetings other potential conservation areas
were discussed, such as Perry Street north of Fourth
Street. Currently, little is known about the history of the
buildings located here. If, after historic surveys are done, it
is determined that this area would make a good candidate
for a conservation area, then the Plan or Preservation
Ordinance could be amended following discussions with
the property owners.
The conservation areas are proposed to operate as follows:
The Historic Preservation Board will have review
approval authority for alterations and new construction
within the conservation areas and the Craig and Gould
neighborhood.
Non-contributing structures can be demolished
without public review. When a contributing building is
proposed to be demolished, the applicant must explore
alternatives to demolition (alternatives are clearly
defined in the policies).
All contributing structures within conservation areas
will be eligible for landmark incentives (such as grants)
even if they are not designated landmarks.
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Each conservation area will have its own design
standards based upon the historic character of
the area. Infill development must be designed in
accordance with these standards and the remaining
downtown design guidelines.
The overall goals of the conservation areas is to work with
individual property owners to restore their facades using
incentives and designate the properties as landmarks, or
to form a historic district.
6. Design Standards
No specific design standards are being proposed with
the actual plan document When design standards are
developed they will be developed with the philosophy
described in the Plan and summarized below.
Each conservation area has a unique character. For example,
Courthouse Square primarily consists of traditional
flat -roofed buildings set up to the property line. These
buildings are constructed primarily of brick and stone. In
contrast, the Wilcox School area has modest front yards
and primarily consists of one-story, wooden residential
structures. Different design standards will be proposed for
the various conservation areas.
The workgroup believed that certain design standards were
necessary; however, they did not want the standards to be
too restrictive as to limit creativity or make it too difficult to
design proper infill development. The workgroup also stated
that there should be no absolutes. If a proposed project
does not meet the standards, there should be a way to vary
from the standards, as long as the project meets the overall
objectives of appropriate design.
The group was introduced to a design concept called
F.R.E.S.H.; which stands for footprint, roof shape, envelope,
skin (facade materials), and holes (windows and door
openings). This concept focuses on designing proper
infill buildings that reflect the character of
their historic neighbors, but also allow enough
flexibility to be creative. Proper infill design has
footprints, roof shapes, building envelopes, skin,
and holes that are similar to other buildings
within the historic neighborhood. Design
standard topics, based on the F.R.E.S.H. concept,
were presented to the group for discussion and
consensus. If infill development is designed
with the existing design guidelines adopted by
the Town, in addition to the proposed design
standards, compatible infill design will occur.
This section of the Plan discusses the F.R.E.S.H.
design concepts only. No specific design
standards are being proposed at this time. This
is to ensure that implementation of the design
standards occurs using the right mechanism. The
current thought is that Castle Rock Design, the
Towns design guideline book, will be updated to include
the various standards that are developed. However, it may
be more appropriate to incorporate the standards in an
overall downtown zoning plan that will be developed in
conjunction with the Downtown Plan. This is the thought
on the Craig and Gould neighborhood as well.
7. Implementation
Many of the proposed concepts and policies within the
Plan require further action. Examples include
changes to the Municipal Code, implementation
of conservation areas, and development of design
standards. The Implementation section details
the action that is required by the Plan and the
anticipated timeline.
Other key implementation items of the Plan include
changes in the Historic Preservation Ordinance to
create demolition criteria for historically significant
properties, revisions to strengthen the landmark
designation criteria, establishment of procedures
for historic district formation, and initiation of
design approval by the Historic Preservation Board
within conservation areas. The Plan also suggests
a comprehensive rezoning of the Craig and Gould
neighborhood to eliminate zoning as a barrier to
historic preservation activities.
C (')n . usk)n
The concepts and ideas developed in the Plan, through
public input and debate, are described in greater detail in the
document. Each concept is meant to be a tool to preserve the
Towns historic resources. The policies presented will serve to
ensure that the Town is focusing on truly historic properties and
resources because of significance and integrity, rather than age
alone. Implementation of these concepts will take place over
a six to twelve-month time frame and will involve additional
input from the community. Some of the implementation
strategies, such as public education and partnerships, will
become ongoing activities within the community.
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cknowledgements
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II III III L..... L... L..... L....., III
I'owinii CotjiInic'Idlll
Deborah O'Kelly
Starr Oberlin
Randy Reed, Mayor
Derald Hoffman
Jack Hurd, Mayor, Pro Tern
James O'Hern
Mitchell Dulleck
Katie Kruger
ClhliC'`irC'`ictei1r CoIinninIn'Id'1111e
Doug Lehnen
Ed Rusch
Fred Cruz
Ryan Reilly
Mike Hesse
Hank Lacey
Barb Nylander
F'fi'1oIlf'ic Pllreseim'fl'Idani oC'°iIr(I
PIIcri
Shawn Dempsey, Chair
Penny Burdick
Fleta Nockels, Vice Chair
James O'Hern
Leann Breitkreutz
Roberta Moore
Rob Christopher
Derald Hoffman
David Hieronymus
Karyn Schwarz
Tim Neely
David Mitchem
Lionel Oberlin
Robert Cheney
Claudia Weimer
Downtown Acivisoiry Coinninnissioin
Dorothy Kelly
Phyllis Tumey
Wayne Bennington
Starr and Lionel Oberlin
Judy Crenshaw
Bobbie VanHorn
John Delay
Bob Terwilleger
Ernie Fazekas II
Ken Jones
Hermann Li
Ben and Teri Cox
Randy Mikelson
Ann Aviles
Chip Wilson
Paul and Nancy King
KC Neel
Mike and Toni Hesse
Ryan Reilly
Erin Hause
Judy Woodley
Steve and Beverly Williams
Jeff Samuelson
Kent and Deborah O'Kelly
Pam Ridler
Michael Searcy
David Mitchem
Bob Kuehster
Tim Neely
Steve Ramsour
Steve Bo and
Annette Gray
Jim Christensen
Fred Edison
Greg Mickells
Declan O'Donnell
Katie Kruger
Lucia McConnell
PIIIC'°rinini'Idllnig CoIinnillnnissIdoIin
Karl Konrad
Nancy Wilt
Barbara Dash, Chair
Margaret Anderson
Clark Hammelman, Vice -Chair
Lowell Bush
Carroll Hood
Dick and Sandra Bracken
Michael Johaneson
John C. Clark
Bill Shaneyfelt
John and Cindy Gilbreth
Rachel Scarborough
Margaret Scott
Peter Bohling
Jennifer Crumm
Austin Latchford
Pc)IlHcy Coinninnitlee
Paula Freeman
Aaron Barrick
Ernie Fazekas II
Mike Johaneson
SN'Aff
Rita Gerou
Ryan Reilly
Mark Stevens, Town Manager
Fleta Nockels
Art Corsie, Director of Development Services
Ed Rusch
Rita Marie Gerou, Deputy Director, Development Services
Fred Cruz
Jeff Brasel, Long Range Planning Manager
Barbara Dash
Judy Hostetler, Real Property Specialist
Steve Williams
John Olson, Planner
Sandy Vossler, Development Technician
Ffistoiry Rese `tIlf6IPIi Coinninnitlee
Angela Copeland, Community Relations Specialist
Fabby Hillyard, Downtown Coordinator
Kellie and Scott Roughen
Michael Searcy
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INTRODUCTION
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0 ver the past 125 years, the Town of Castle Rock has
constantly evolved and been shaped by the broad
patterns of our collective experiences; our history. It is
these experiences and events from our past that provide context
for the community's built environment. These experiences,
most unique to Castle Rock, some shared with all of society, are
important reminders of who we are and help guide us in our
future actions. It is therefore important to the residents of our
community that we preserve, embrace, and share our history
with the rest of society.
The development of the towns first Historic Preservation Plan
is the culmination of years of interest by the community in
protecting our historic resources. The goals and policies in this
Plan expand upon the goals and policies of the Vision 2020
Statement and the Comprehensive Plan. They are intended to
serve as a policy guide for other town -wide plans as they relate
to identified historic resources.
The Historic Preservation Plan has three primary objectives:
1. To identify important historic trends and character
elements of the community that are worthy of preservation.
2. To establish goals and policies to guide the community
with future decisions that could impact the towns historic
resources.
3. To establish a work plan to guide future preservation
activities.
The Plan identifies four main goals for the community. These
goals are based upon the broad concepts of identification,
preservation, protection and restoration of the towns historic
resources. The goals seek to ensure compatibility of new
structures within the historic context of our existing structures,
encourage preservation activities through incentives and
develop partnerships and programs to promote the towiA
history. The Plan's Goats are:
Goat 1: Safeguard and preserve the heritage of the town by
historical designation of those buildings,
districts, objects, sites, and structures that The
reflect significant elements of the towns 1
history. the
Goat 2: Ensure that new development
preserves or enhances the character of
the Downtown and Craig and Gould
neighborhoods.
Goat 3: Develop and provide incentives for the
preservation, restoration, and adaptive re -use
of historic properties.
Goat 4: Promote the town's history and
foster public support, appreciation, and
understanding of historic and archeological
resources through public education and
partnerships.
Standards, and Implementation. The Introduction includes
a summary of the Plan, past preservation efforts and other
background information. The History section provides a broad
context of the towns history, significant events and important
people. The Character portion defines the general character of
the four distinct neighborhoods found in the Downtown area
of historic significance (Downtown area). It also identifies
important historic character elements that should be protected
and expanded The Goals section details the future policies
and strategies for the town. The fifth section explains the
concept of Conservation Areas as preservation tools and
identifies potential conservation areas in the Downtown area.
The Development Standards section details the elements of
F.R.E.S.H., an approach to infill design. The final portion,
Implementation, establishes an action plan for completion of
the various components of the Plan, including adoption of
conservation areas and development of design standards.
Other key highlights of the Plan include changes in the
Historic Preservation Ordinance to create demolition criteria
for significant properties, strengthen landmark designation
criteria, establish procedures for historic district formation,
and design approval by the Historic Preservation Board within
conservation areas. The Plan also suggests a comprehensive
rezoning of the Craig and Gould neighborhood to eliminate
zoning as a barrier to historic preservation activities.
These concepts and ideas, developed through public input and
debate, are described in further detail in this document. Each
concept is meant to be a tool to preserve the towns historic
resources. The policies presented will serve to ensure that the
town is focusing on truly historic properties and resources
because of significance and integrity, rather than age alone.
Implementation of these concepts will take place over a six to
twelve-month time frame and will involve additional input
from the community. Some of the implementation strategies,
such as public education and partnerships, will become ongoing
activities within the community.
V`Vhol- is I lisiorri< Prosorrvotion?
Historic preservation is the practice of creatively maintaining
the historic built environment and controlling the landscape
component, of which it is an integral part. The Secretary of the
Interior of the United States government defines the historic
environment as districts, sites, buildings, structures, objects
and landscapes which are significant to local, state or national
Town of Castle Rock is giving you a voice in shaping
Town's Historic Preservation Plan, You are invited
to attend the Historic Preservation Plan hick -off nice
Monday, August 21, 2006
Town hall Council Chambers
100 N. Wilcox street
The document is organized into seven distinct
Photo courtesy of Castle Rock Museum
sections: Introduction, History, Character,
Goats, Conservation Areas, Development The Historic Preservation Plan kicked off with a public meeting in August 2006.
III III l IIIR UC11111IIIIII
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history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture.
Properties that retain their historic significance and integrity are
usually the best candidates for historic preservation. Historic
preservation is a well -established discipline with standard
evaluation and designation techniques, as well as standards
for restoration, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of historic
properties. Most of the techniques and evaluation methods
are derived from the National Register Program administered
by the National Park Service.
This program, and its
principles and procedures, was
authorized by the National
Historic Preservation Act of
1966. Even though most of
the techniques and procedures
were developed at a federal
level, most local and state
preservation ordinances,
including Castle Rock's, are
based upon these standard
practices.
I lisi(,)iir; I'ro:so-irvrstirsn is
In,[looirkAr7t k) C(,As'flo"
Historic preservation in Castle
Rock has been included in the
towns Comprehensive Plan
since the early 1990s. The
community further expressed
its desires to preserve and
enhance historic structures
within the community in the
Vision 2020 Statement and
the 2020 Comprehensive
Educational - Historic preservation provides a medium
for teaching local history and past culture and values to the
community.
Community Development - Preservation programs
contribute to a well-defined planning approach for future
growth and development, while respecting and protecting
the community's historic resources.
The Keystone Hotel, at 403 Wilcox Street, was constructed in 1901. The Town of Castle Rock
contributed to the building's restoration through the use of a matching -grant program. Today the
building is home to the Castle Cafe.
Plan. Surveys conducted in 2004 reaffirmed the community's
commitment with 86 percent of those surveyed stating that it
was either essential, very important or somewhat important
for the town to protect its historic resources. In 1994, the town
passed its first Historic Preservation Ordinance that established
the Historic Preservation Board and set the legal framework
for historic preservation within the community. In 1998,
the Federal Government and the State of Colorado officially
recognized the town as a Certified Local Government. During
the 1990s the town established a matching -grant program,
which among other things, helped restore the Keystone Hotel,
a long -neglected building in the heart of downtown, currently
known as the Castle Caf6. Millions of dollars have been invested
in infrastructure and enhancements to the Downtown and
Craig and Gould areas over the past 20 years.
More recent preservation activities include updating the towns
walking tour brochures, completing intensive historic surveys
on 50 properties in the Downtown area, and creating three
new historic preservation incentive programs. Clearly, historic
preservation has been important to the entire community for
some time.
In addition to meeting the expectations of the community,
historic preservation has several other benefits including:
• Cultural - The tangible presence of history provides for a
richer cultural environment and community pride when
citizens share a mutual concern for the protection of the
historic fabric of a community.
• Economic - Historic preservation has proven economic
benefits including increased property values, sates tax
revenues and the attraction of heritage tourists.
• Social - Prominent historic resources that are elevated to
community treasures become gathering places and focal
points for social interaction of residents and non-residents
r7<:rrriir;s <:rfPro+ so- rv(,Afk)n
The revitalization of downtown is an important objective
of the community. White much more detail regarding the
revitalization strategy is included in the Downtown Plan,
historic preservation is a key component of that strategy.
Many studies have been conducted on the economic impacts
of historic preservation. One of the most comprehensive
studies includes a recent report on the economic benefits of
preservation in Colorado. The report, prepared by the Colorado
Historical Foundation, titled The Economic Benefits of Historic
Preservation in Colorado was released in 2002. This report
focused on the statewide impacts associated with heritage
tourism, rehabilitation of historic buildings, and impacts to
residential neighborhoods. The Foundation updated the original
report and included new information in regards to preservation
impacts to commercial districts and an update to other data
contained in the original report. The following is a summary
of the findings included in the Colorado Historical Foundation
document and other reports:
Since 1981, rehabilitation activities in Colorado have
created almost 29,000 jobs and over $2 billion in direct and
indirect economic impacts.
• Historic preservation rehabilitation activities create more
jobs than highway construction, computer/data processing,
semi -conductor manufacturing, and oil/mining industries.
• Recently, heritage tourism in Colorado created $3.4 billion
in direct and indirect impacts and approximately 61,000
jobs in a single year. This does not include the $1.1 billion
in additional household earnings as a result of the increased
job creation.
• Heritage tourists stay longer and spend twice as much
money as typical visitors.
• Property values, average cost per square foot, and median
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Because of economic benefits,
preservation activities serve as an
important strategy to economic
revitalization. Additionally, as the
population ages, many older citizens
are looking to relocate to areas that are
walkable, have a wide variety of uses,
and contain venues for entertainment
and culture, to avoid the dependence on automobiles.
Young professionals and couples are also relocating to these
areas because of the active street life and lifestyle. These are
characteristics that are typically found within vibrant historic
areas and not suburban style shopping developments dependent
on the automobile. White historic preservation is not the only
strategy for economic revitalization, it is an important one.
Members of the public identify key issues and concerns to be addressed in the Historic
Preservation Plan.
23
III III lIII IIL...�UC11111III III
ha: N c,os siiy (s( V` lI,)nnln ,1
There are many factors that can affect historic preservation
efforts within the town. These factors include political,
economic and private activities. Successful planning recognizes
these influences and provides guidance for resolving conflicts
between various interest groups by establishing policies that
seek to balance the interests of these diverse groups. Historic
preservation planning is necessary for the following reasons:
• To clearly state the goats of historic preservation in the
community.
• To create certainty in the development process as it relates
to historic preservation.
• To assure consistency among various government policies
that affect the community's historic resources.
• To educate and inform residents about the towns heritage
and its value to the community.
• To create an agenda for preservation activities and create
methods to measure progress in protecting historic
resources.
• To comprehensively address issues relating to tourism,
zoning, traffic patterns, development patterns and design
that affect historic resources.
• To encourage economic development through the
preservation of historic resources.
• To strengthen the political understanding of and support
for historic preservation policies.
• To strengthen the legal basis for historic preservation.
ARCHITECTURAL
TRENDS BY DECADE
HISTPRIC PRESERVATION MEN;'
SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2006
M%
The Historic Preservation Plan committee reviewed various
architectural trends throughout Castle Rock's history.
III III l III IIL...� C 1 III III
P'u9:.)lip; Inv(,:)Iv- ri, : n f
The Plan was developed over the course of six months with
input from more than 80 individuals, participating in various
public workshops. The first meeting introduced the public to
the planning process and identified concerns and issues related
to historic preservation. The issues identified were wide ranging
and the ensuing discussions can be divided into six distinct
categories:
I. Ensure appropriate regulations are in place for the
preservation of historic resources and the unique character
of the Downtown area.
2. Identify important people and events in the town's history.
3. Expand the focus of preservation to include historic sites
outside the Downtown area.
4. Ensure new development complements the historic
character of the area.
5. Promote the towns history more effectively.
6. Balance the individual interests with those of the
community.
The first public meeting also led to the creation of two
subcommittees; one on history and one on character. The
history committee focused on providing background research
on events and people who shaped the history of the town. Much
of the research provided by the history committee is included in
the "History of Castle Rock" section of the Plan. The character
committee photographed various features of the Downtown
area and identified elements, both good and bad, which
contribute to the character of the neighborhoods.
The second meeting had two purposes; to discuss and identify
historic trends within the community and to discuss the
character of the Downtown area. Town staff shared their initial
findings on the significant trends in the town's history illustrated
through events, census research and architecture. The members
of the character committee shared their photographs and
observations with the participants. From there, the participants
identified the good and bad character elements found in the
four neighborhoods that make up the Downtown area. Those
conclusions are included in the Plan and serve as the basis for
determining what should be preserved and enhanced and what
could be changed.
Commission, Historic Preservation Board, Town Council and
property owners within the Downtown area. The committee was
presented with a draft list of goats and policies, the concept of
conservation areas, and the F.R.E.S.H. infill design philosophy.
The committee discussed, debated, and modified what staff
presented. This discussion served as the basis for preparing a
draft of the goats and policies which were presented at the third
public workshop.
At the third workshop the group discussed, in detail, the
proposed goats, policies and potential design standards. In
addition, the group was introduced to the F.R.E.S.H. concept
of proper infill design as preparation for the discussion on
design standards. The participants were separated into four
workgroups. Each group discussed one of the four goats and
its related policies and strategies. The individual groups then
presented the outcomes of their discussions and additional
comments were recorded. Input from these discussions was
incorporated into the draft "Goats, Policies, and Strategies"
section of the Plan.
The fourth public workshop focused on identification and
refinement of the conservation areas and specific design
standards for each of the areas. Four specific areas were
discussed: Wilcox School Area, Courthouse Square Area,
Perry Street Area and Craig and Gould Neighborhood. The
participants identified critical design elements for each of these
areas.
Finally, a draft of the completed Historic Preservation Plan was
presented and discussed at the fifth public workshop. The Plan
was then referred to the Downtown Advisory Commission,
Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Board and Town
Council for additional public input, review and action.
IDid you Q1111()
Between the second and third workshops, the preservation Colorado was still a territory when the Town
policy committee was formed. This committee consisted of
members of the Planning Commission, Downtown Advisory of Castle Rock was formed in 1874.
25
HISTORY OF
CASTLE ROCK
.. 26
(YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
he unique and colorful history of Castle Rock can be
divided into seven distinct periods of significance. The
first period, prior to the 1860s, encompasses the time
before the region was permanently settled This was an era of
great upheaval consisting of a variety of geologic events that
ultimately resulted in the formation of a unique building stone
called rhyolite, which would have a profound impact on what
was to become the Town of Castle Rock. Native Americans,
explorers in search of treasure, fur trappers and traders passed
through the area toward the end of this period. During the
second period of significance, 1860s to 1875, settlers began to
pour into the region seeking fortune and farmland. A railroad
was constructed, new communities cropped up along the way
and a rhyolite quarry opened for business. During the third
period, 1875 to 1900, a new county seat was formed and later
incorporated as the Town of Castle Rock. A rhyolite courthouse
was constructed on the town square, and development occurred
with a frenzy. Businesses, churches, schools and a cemetery
seemed to appear overnight. The fourth period, 1900 to 1920s,
was marked by modernization - automobiles, telephones,
water and sewer, a high school and a library. This small town
continued to grow from the 1920s to the 1940s, during the
fifth significant period. A Christmas star was lit on top of The
Rock, a tornado ripped through downtown and a marshal was
murdered in a local caf6. This thriving community sported an
interstate highway, a drive-in theater and a racetrack during
the sixth period, 1940s to 1980s. The last and final significant
period, 1980s to present,
changed the course of
history forever for what 4-
had once been a sleepy
little ranching community. C
Developers came to the
area and purchased many
awerora
of the ranches. Housing' `' luau AO"
developments and
commercial areas began
WOOOHOW
to appear everywhere, as
pp Y
Castle Rock became one; C%b
boom SUN"
of the fastest growing060 "low
)
communities in the
nation. The following r
is an in-depth overview —QUMRY
of this fascinating trip
,.� M �`
through time. (ME MEADW.
I'Cd-7isi(')i'y . I.'rk)r k)
1 E360s
According to scientific
estimates, the earliest
known history of Castle
Rock began about 300
million years ago when
the entire area was under
water, and no plant or
animal life existed. It
took another 150 million
years for vegetation to
appear and dinosaurs to
evolve. Again, the seas
invaded the area, creating
numerous changes over
the next 100 million
years. Foothills and
rock outcroppings were
formed, and the Rocky
Mountains erupted,
creating what is now
known as the Colorado
Front Range. After that,
Millions of years ago, the Castle Rock area was a rainforest.
dinosaurs became extinct, and the region became a tropical
rain forest. Thirty-seven million years ago, a distant volcano
erupted, sending a dense cloud of volcanic ash through the area
where Castle Rock is now located. As the ash hit the ground, it
hardened into volcanic rock known as " rhyolite;' which is Greek
for lava. A million years later, floods created rivers and formed
canyons that cut into the rhyolite. As a result of this erosion,
p r. W"f v 9 yyu 6 6
�T--���_
.. 27
(YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
sediment known as Castle Rock Conglomerate was deposited
throughout the area. Over the next few million years, continued
flooding wiped out all plant and animal life again. Eventually,
the area became re -vegetated, and the animals returned. The
first human beings appeared in the region over 11,000 years
ago.'
The earliest Native Americans to inhabit the area were nomadic
tribes, later named the Utes. By the 1500s, the Ute tribes were
traveling about in small family units, wandering through the
area gathering seeds, grasses and berries and following the
migration of deer, elk and antelope. By the 1700s, the Utes had
discovered horses, and this discovery had a major impact on
their way of life, making it possible for them to hunt buffalo,
which became the mainstay of their survival. The Cheyenne
and Arapaho invaded the Ute territory when they migrated
to the area several years later, and this became a source of
great conflict. These two Plains Indian tribes were both
mild-mannered and got along well, but the Utes became very
aggressive and warlike toward them when they were forced to
share horses and hunting and camping grounds. There were
also racial tensions between the dark-skinned Utes and the
two lighter -skinned tribes. When white settlers came to the
region in the 1800s in search of precious metals and farmland,
the newcomers found themselves caught in the middle of this
conflict. Competition for food and living area created great
animosity between the Native Americans and the new settlers.
4";WAUS
By the end of the century, after repeated military battles, the
Utes, Cheyenne and Arapaho were removed from the area and
relocated on reservations.'
Among the first white men to travel through the area were
explorers, and the Stephen H. Long Expedition was one of the
earliest groups to come face to face with the Native Americans
who had made their homes here for thousands of years. The
Long Expedition traveled the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails in
1819 and 1820 in search of gold. Long is often credited with
naming the huge rock formation that looms over the Town of
Castle Rock, but it was actually first named "Poundcake Rock"
in 1843 by an explorer named John Fremont. It was renamed
"Castle Rock" in 1859 by another explorer named David
Kellogg. The William Green Russell Company was another
important group who traveled the Cherokee Trait in 1858 and
struck gold five miles south of present-day Franktown at a spot
that came to be known as Russellville. Major Daniel C. Oakes,
from Iowa, was a member of the Russell Company who wrote
a guidebook outlining a route to the gold fields of the Pikes
Peak region. His book enticed many gold seekers to the area,
most meeting with great disappointment when they arrived
in search of fortune and came up dry. Major Oakes returned
in 1859 with a party of his own and the equipment needed to
establish a sawmill in the area that is now known as Daniel's
Park. Oakes' Mill became the county seat briefly after Douglas
County, named for politician Stephen A. Douglas, was created
in 1861. Douglas was
't iNr`r., ,w�k,' ` one of the original 17
counties established by
the Colorado Territorial
'40"� Q . Legislature, and it
was much larger than
�y a ' it is today, originally
U� extending to the Kansas
border. The seat of
„RV,
�
government was moved
�� ��
�
to "Frankstown" later
Ix tr ��
J
that year so that it would
4Cnsn N"1 �' ( WCOOLO s)
�=
be closer to the various
w4a" w. L L
U COMM— . —
%'`
transportation routes in
the s
county.
1674
II *� N / t�
.0 ,...� ..ry (�, IOAO"b I
;1
/
143t'„i0G 1() I ( /,") 1 (,Arly
I I
s +W.ew0
`ro�11I+ tr r71
(160 S) CAM* �
5
The 1860s marked a
°"" (
,�
new era in the history
try
of Castle Rock. The
AWM�•
I, ' ' 1 aex maim
U.S. Homestead Act was
r�,o (u° p
passed in 1862, which
v
brought an influx of
white settlers to the area,
OW AO" toot
some hoping to strike it
(160 Am$3
rich "out west" and others
hs) q
simply looking for a new
m,
�
life in a place where they
-- —-- — a~~~ 1
j
could acquire land easily.
Uw W, i �00 �)' �
U.S. Census records
wuuaww wrt as 1 ( I
„, 7a
indicate that the majority
these
a a�a
GoMb Howsmw Pam '
�- �— — J
of newcomers
were men between the
(Bra„DOa p) to Ao" � 4,^4 4�
�
ages of 26 and 45. The
►�
"
stampede increased after
AVAMON
the Civil War ended in
1865, as many veterans
-q� ��
to take land in lieu
�
opted
K11 a�j ° i L,
of wages for their time
%%�AM*
served in the military.
NOW
175,
Under the Homestead
Act, it was possible to
.. 28
(YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
stake a claim and acquire up to 160 acres of land simply by
living on the property for five years, cultivating the ground and
paying a small fee. Property could also be purchased outright
from the U.S. Government for $1.25 an acre. The early settlers
discovered that the climate and soils here were not as conducive
to growing crops as most had experienced back home. Many
of the original settlers to the area would play important roles in
the growth and development of the future Town of Castle Rock.
A steam engine sits beside the Denver & Rio Grande Depot.
A few worth mentioning are Jeremiah Gould, William Cantril,
Thomas Harris, Charles Woodhouse, George Triplett and Hugh
Taylor. The map on pages 26 and 27 shows the property owned
by many of the early pioneers in the Castle Rock area.'
Before Castle Rock was founded, there were several other small
communities that were established in the area. They all faded
away after Castle Rock became the county seat, but Douglas and
New Memphis, were important enough to warrant discussion.
Both were organized by the National Land and Improvement
Company, which was established in Philadelphia in 1866 to
develop land in the Colorado Territory. This Company bought
and sold land in order to raise funds for the construction of the
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.
The Town of New Memphis was established in 1871 with a
population of 50 and was located on the land where the Douglas
County Justice Center sits today. It was settled by six families
from Tennessee, including two brothers named Thomas and
John Harris. Thomas Harris would
become Castle Rock's second mayor
and would play an important role
in both towns. John Harris was a
carpenter, and he built a hotel for
his brother in New Memphis shortly
after they arrived there. The Harris
Hotel was moved to Perry Street in
1877 and renamed the Castle Rock
House. It remains at its original Castle
Rock location and is now known as
the "City Hotel." New Memphis was
a rollicking town, sporting horse
racing, gambling and saloons. Many
residents had hoped that their town
would become the county seat when
an election was held in 1874 to decide
which town would receive that honor.
After losing its bid to become the
county seat, New Memphis became
a ghost town, and several more of its
buildings were moved to Castle Rock.'
The Town of Douglas (or Douglass) was laid out and platted
in 1880 by the National Land and Improvement Company. It
had, however, existed for several years prior to platting, dating
back to 1872 when the railroad had constructed a siding at
that location upon the opening of the Madge Quarry. Douglas
was located on both sides of the track near a trading post/post
office run by William Garrison, who was thought to be the
first known settler in Douglas County. This was in the vicinity
of what is now known as Heckendorf Ranch.
Mail was delivered by train to Douglas and then
carried by horse and buggy to New Memphis for
distribution to the new settlers in the Castle Rock
area. The residents of Douglas were also hopeful
that their town would be chosen to be the new
county seat, as was the owner of the new railway.
Several hundred people lived there at one time,
many of them being Swedes and other foreign -
born immigrants who worked in the quarries.
The census records tell us that approximately 15
percent of the early inhabitants in this area were
born in Canada, Europe, Scandinavia or the British
Isles. The railroad eventually built a depot and a
water tank in Douglas, as well as spurs to the top of
the Madge and O'Brien quarries to carry rhyolite
down to the siding. Silas Madge constructed a
boarding house to provide his workers with a place
to live, and a private school was constructed so that
they could learn English. Douglas was a thriving
community for several years but was vacated in 1899 when the
quarry industry began to decline.6
The first railway to come through the area was the Denver
and Rio Grande, which was a private line owned by General
William Jackson Palmer, a distinguished Civil War veteran
from Pennsylvania. General Palmer was also the founder
of Colorado Springs, the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company in
Pueblo and many other mines, steel mills, etc. He was a very
wealthy man and known for his philanthropy. Both Palmer
Lake and the Palmer Divide are named for the general. Palmer's
company constructed a narrow gauge railway from Denver to
Colorado Springs in 1871, thus beginning an era that would
forever change the sleepy little settlement that was soon to be
known as the Town of Castle Rock. Once Castle Rock became
the county seat, its residents began to lobby the railroad for a
depot. General Palmer never gave up the idea that Douglas
should be the county seat and did not want to build a station
in Castle Rock. The residents eventually convinced him to do
Miners at work at the Santa Fe rhyolite quarry.
.. 29
(YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
so, however, and a rhyolite depot was constructed
in 1875 by Benjamin Hammar, who was co-owner
of the Colorado Stone Company and an owner of
the Santa Fe Quarry. The depot was located on
the west side of the tracks at the corner of Front
and Third Streets on the site of the present-day fire
station. The town was required to provide the stone
for the building and to pay for the construction of
a sidetrack. A man named E. G. Breselow became
the stationmaster and held that position for almost
50 years. The building was moved to Elbert Street in
1970 and currently houses the Castle Rock Museum.'
By 1887, Castle Rock had two railroads. The
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe reached Pueblo in
1876 and ran their trains to Denver over the Rio
Grande tracks from 1882 to 1887 before building
their own rail and telegraph lines through Douglas
County. There was fierce competition between
the two railroads, but the residents of Castle Rock
found the Santa Fe to be a much friendlier and more
The rhyolite courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1978.
generous railroad than the Denver and Rio Grande.
The railroad constructed a depot shortly after the track was
completed and partnered with the town to build a bridge across
East Plum Creek at the end of Third Street, so the station could
be accessed from downtown. The railroad also constructed a
spur to the top of the Santa Fe Quarry in 1889. The original
building burned, but was rebuilt in about 1910. The current
Santa Fe Depot is still standing, although it has been moved a
few hundred feet from the tracks. The building was used as a
residence by the Garcilaso family for almost 50 years after the
railroad abandoned it as a station house, and it is currently
owned by the Town of Castle Rock.'
Two things ensured the future of the community of Castle
Rock - the coming of the railroad in 1871 and the discovery
of rhyolite in 1872. Silas Madge was a rancher and part-time
prospector who owned the butte located within what is now
known as Crystal Valley Ranch. While looking for precious
metals on his property, he discovered a hard, pinkish stone
on top of the butte, had it assayed, and was told that it would
make an excellent building stone. Madge, who was known as
the "Father of the Lava Stone Industry," immediately began
to quarry rhyolite, starting a business that would prove to be
Castle Rock's mainstay for the next 35 years. Madge paid his
immigrant employees $2.50 a day, and they worked 12-hour
days. Other quarries that opened soon after were the Santa Fe
Quarry and the Plateau Quarry, located north of town, and the
O'Brien Quarry, located east of the Madge Quarry. Pleasant
O'Brien formed the Colorado Stone Company with Benjamin
Hammer and others and started the O'Brien Quarry. O'Brien,
who was of Irish descent, came to this area in 1874 from Iowa
and established a homestead south of Castle Rock. He was a
rancher and quarrier and also worked in the clay mines. He
was a politician and school board member as well. O'Brien
died in 1911. The impact of the quarry industry in this area is
made apparent by the census data available for the late 1800s.
In 1870, 57 percent of the population was engaged in some
type of farming. By 1880,19 percent of the wage earners were
employed by the quarries, and only 11 percent were farmers.
One of the most interesting quarry workers in the area was a
Swede named August (Gus) Nelson. Gus began his career in
the O'Brien Quarry in 1893 and later took over management of
the Santa Fe Quarry, where he remained from 1896 until 1906,
when the last of the quarries closed. He supervised the men,
and his wife, Betty, kept them fed at the boarding house. The
Nelsons managed to raise five children and save $4,000 during
this time.9
Castle Rock rhyolite was in demand throughout Colorado,
Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming until concrete became popular
at the beginning of the 20' century. Among Castle Rocks
important rhyolite buildings are the Denver and Rio Grande
Depot, the original St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
(Old Stone Church Restaurant), the original Douglas County
Courthouse, First National Bank of Douglas County (Masonic
Lodge), the Keystone Hotel and Tivoli Saloon (Castle Caf6),
Christ Episcopal Church, Cantril School and the original high
school (school district offices), plus several private residences.
Other important buildings constructed with stone quarried in
Castle Rock are the Molly Brown House and Union Station in
Denver, the original Colorado College
building (Cutler Hall) and the original
Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs,
Rosemount Mansion in Pueblo and
churches throughout Colorado and
elsewhere. The decline of the quarry
industry was rapid, and by the early
1900s, the railroads had abandoned
their spurs, the quarries were closed
and the stone business in Castle
Rock had come to an end. The 1920
census records show no quarry -related
occupations, although there were three
clay mine laborers, and 29 percent of the
labor force was by that time involved in
ranching again.10
By 1874, a number of white settlers
had come to the area in search of a new
way of life. Most had realized by this
The First National Bank was constructed of rhyolite on the northeast corner of Third and
Wilcox Streets. Today if is home to the Masonic Lodge.
.. 30
III III II5 1 (YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
IDii'd you QI',K)
Buildings constructed of rhyolite quarried in
Castle Rock between 1871 and 1906 can be
found all over Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas
and Wyoming.
time that they were probably not going to strike it rich here,
and those who were farmers had discovered that this was a
difficult place to grow crops. As mentioned previously, many
abandoned farming and found jobs at the new quarry. The
settlers also began to construct new buildings, using wood from
nearby forests and stone from local quarries. These structures
were primarily vernacular - plain and functional buildings that
served a practical purpose for people embarking on a simple,
modest lifestyle. The construction boom and the railroad
created many new jobs in the area. The 1870 census records
listed only a handful of occupations, while the 1880 census
contained a long list of new ones, indicating that many of the
pioneers who came here to farm were beginning to branch
out and find new ways to make a living and support their
families. Those who remained in the area would become part
of a new town that would be not only the county seat, but also
a very important Colorado community. Thus began a new and
important period in Castle Rock's history."
8/,',) t(,:) 19()0 1sf(,AIAishri,[o� 71 (sf(,A f(,:)wn
It all started with a man named Jeremiah Gould, who had
staked a claim at the foot of The Rock in 1869 after a successful
career with the Union army during the Civil War (Rhode Island
Cavalry, 3rd Regiment). Gould was an experienced farmer
who acquired 200 acres from the U.S. Government and then
purchased additional parcels from his neighbors. He first tried
his hand at farming and then became a land speculator as well.
Gould donated approximately 100 acres to Douglas County
in 1874 after the voters decided to move the county seat from
Frankstown to its current location. Douglas County had been
divided in half to create Elbert County, and it was decided that
the seat of government should be located closer to the railway
in the center of the county. The land was platted as the Town
The Cantril Courthouse building later housed the local
newspaper, The Journal.
of Castle Rock, and lots were auctioned to help pay for the
construction of a courthouse on the square that was created in
the middle of town. The first courthouse was located on the
southeast corner of Fourth and Wilcox Streets. It was a wooden
structure built in 1874 by William Cantril, one of the original
settlers in the area. Cantril was born in Ohio and worked in
a sawmill until he came to Colorado in 1862. His courthouse
served the county well until 1890 when a large rhyolite building
was constructed across the street on Courthouse Square, as
originally planned. The Cantril courthouse now sits farther east
facing Fourth Street and houses a retail store. Jeremiah Gould
continued to purchase land in Castle Rock and soon entered
into a partnership with a man named John Craig. In 1874,
they platted the Craig and Gould's Addition, Castle Rock's first
residential subdivision. Gould left Castle Rock in 1889 and
went to Denver to open a hotel. He died in 1903."
Apart from his partnership with Jeremiah Gould, John Craig
made his own mark and played an important role in early
Douglas County history. He headed west from Pennsylvania in
1856 and settled in the Nebraska Territory. Shortly thereafter,
the lure of gold called his name, and he headed for Pikes Peak
country in 1859. He first settled in Happy Canyon but moved
to Oakes' Sawmill soon after. Craig also claims to have founded
Sedalia, originally named "Round Corral." He worked with
D.C. Oakes as an Indian agent in the 1860s and moved to the
Castle Rock area some time prior to 1874. In addition to land
speculation, Mr. Craig enjoyed politics. He served as Mayor,
Probate Judge, Justice of the Peace and State Representative.
He died in 1891 during his last of four terms as Castle Rock's
mayor.13
Another important figure
in the development of early
Castle Rock is Philip Wilcox,
as his name adorns the main
street in town. His principal
contribution to the town was
the platting of Wilcox Addition
in 1875. This plat includes The
Rock and the area surrounding
it. His larger contributions
were to the county and state
in several different capacities.
Wilcox was a banker, lawyer
and politician, and he owned
one of the largest cattle
ranches in the county (over Philip P. Wilcox
2,000 acres near Frankstown). Over the years, he served as
County Attorney for both Douglas and Elbert counties, United
States Marshal for the State of Colorado, and Douglas County
Judge and Commissioner. He was also an Indian agent and
held political positions in Denver and in the Kansas Territory.
Wilcox, too, came from Pennsylvania in search of gold after
settling in several other places along the way. He died in Denver
in 1911."
Gould, Craig and Wilcox are only three of the many
important people who played a part in the creation of a viable
community called Castle Rock. The early settlers learned to
adapt to existing conditions and began to take advantage of
the needs of an upstart town as it began to grow and develop.
Sawmills appeared on the outskirts of town, as pine woods
were abundant, and firewood and lumber were in demand in
Denver. Cattle ranches and dairy farms became prevalent,
which led to the opening of a cheese factory and a creamery.
A large percentage of the population became involved in one
of these related endeavors. S. W. Cantril opened the O. K.
Cheese Factory in 1878, and the Castle Rock Creamery opened
its doors in about 1887. Several local businessmen, including
William Dillon, John Craig and Charles Woodhouse, were
.. 31
III III II5 1 (YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
The bell tower of the Cantril School holds a large bell cast in 1881
involved with the creamery, with Dillon acting as president of
the company. William Dillon was of Irish descent and came
to the area in 1880 from New York for health reasons. He
was an attorney, businessman and politician. He served as
County Attorney, co -owned a meat market and was involved
in real estate and insurance. His family was also instrumental
in the construction of St. Francis of Assisi Church in 1888.
Charles Woodhouse was one of Castle Rocks original settlers
and owned a 1,000-acre ranch on the northwest side of town.
Woodhouse took advantage of the clay pits that surrounded
the town and opened a brick factory on the east side. He had
learned brick making in England before he migrated to the area
in 1871. Woodhouse died in 1913.15
As soon as the Denver and Rio Grande Depot was constructed
in 1875, new businesses began to appear on both sides of the
track along Perry and Front Streets, as a commercial district
began to develop along the railway. Soon there was a hotel,
boarding house, meat market, saloon and grocery store in
the vicinity of this depot. Architectural styles were beginning
to become slightly more elaborate, as two-story Italianate
residences and steep -roofed Gothic Revival structures began
to appear around town. The area near the railroad would
remain the hub of commercial downtown until about 1900
when most of the businesses moved to Wilcox Street around the
new courthouse. Castle Rocks early residents finally had the
opportunity to use the skills and professions they brought with
them from their former homes. By the time the courthouse
was completed in 1890, there was a wealth of services in town
- doctors, lawyers, merchants, blacksmiths and just about
everything else the early pioneers needed to establish and
maintain a good life. One early businessman worth mentioning
is Hugh Taylor, who was also one of the original
settlers. Mr. Taylor was a druggist and postmaster. He
also served as County Judge and Assessor, Clerk of
the District Court and State Representative. The first
school in Castle Rock was built on Cantril Street in
1875 and rebuilt from rhyolite in 1897 after the original
frame building burned. Named for William Cantril,
this was a county -wide school, and it included a locally
funded high school curriculum, beginning in 1884.
The high school program was very expensive and the
parents of the students who did not live in town were
required to pay tuition.
The Cedar Hill Cemetery was also established in 1875,
and James Hackett opened the towns first funeral
parlor in 1882 on Fourth Street after coming here
from New Jersey. A number of churches were starting
to appear as well. There was a great mix of religions
here, and most churches used circuit riders, as they could not
afford to hire pastors. The most famous of the circuit riders
was John Dyer, a Methodist minister known as the "snowshoe
itinerant preacher." The first church constructed in town was
the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was built in 1887 on
the land where the Masonic Lodge sits today. The St. Francis
of Assisi Catholic Church was constructed the next year,
followed by Christ Episcopal in 1906. Except for the Methodist
Episcopal Church, all are still standing, although St. Francis is
The Cedar Hill Cemetery with The Rock in the background.
now a restaurant. George Triplett, another original settler, was
also an important figure in the community. According to early
census records, he was the towns first telegraph operator. He
also owned a ranch south of town and raised some of the finest
pedigree horses in the county. In 1890, he helped organize
the first Douglas County Horse Show. This was a precursor to
the first Douglas County Fair, held in 1892. The fair became a
tradition that has endured over time and now attracts thousands
of people each year. The activities and events have varied over
the years, but there has always been plenty of good food, music,
The first church built in Castle Rock was the Methodist Episcopal Church.
animals and a great time for all who participate.
Castle Rock wasted no time becoming a full -
service, fully functioning pioneer community.16
Although the town was formed in 1874, it was
not officially incorporated until 1881. The first
mayor was Irving Morse, and the first Town
Clerk was George Triplett. Morse was a local
merchant from New York who owned stock
in the Castle Rock Creamery and became a
partner in the Littleton Creamery in 1901 after
moving his family to Denver in 1884. He died
in 1915. When he wasn't ranching and raising
horses, George Triplett operated a merchandise
store in town. He was also very involved with
the Methodist Church and served as Mayor and
County Judge. The first order of business for the
new town government was to provide water to
the towns residents. A reservoir and ditch were
constructed for this purpose to bring water from
.. 32
(YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
Sellars Creek to homes and businesses throughout
town. The Town Board was very concerned about
the towns appearance, so they built a park and passed
an ordinance that created a contract with property
owners to encourage the planting and protection
of cottonwood trees. Street maintenance was also
a big issue, and Castle Rock hired its first Street
Commissioner, a man named Chris Schneider.
Another important concern was the towns finances.
Consequently, taxes were levied to provide money to
run the town. Various issues arose in the early years,
and one of the biggest controversies was between
members of the Womeris Christian Temperance
Union and citizens who liked to frequent saloons.
This resulted in the passage of many town ordinances
intended to regulate the liquor establishments. The
main concerns were hours of operation, license fees,
saloon locations, public intoxication, etc.
Wafer works pumping station in the foreground.
George Triplett's residence in the foreground, is a 2-story foursquare design.
Both the town and the county became important employers as
more and more local government positions were created By the
end of the century, another significant period came to a close as
the residents of this new and bustling community approached
the modern world that was headed their way."
19()0 f(,) 192()s I (,Arly Cxr(,)wth
The onset of the 20th century brought enormous changes to
this small ranching community, making life much easier for
most. Telephone service was available by 1900, and by 1910,
Castle Rock had seven telephone operators. The town ditch
was replaced with an underground pipe system in 1916, and the
town soon began to provide sewer service. As a result, residents
began to install indoor plumbing in their homes. By 1910, we
had an Irrigation Engineer, Douglas Stewart, and two plumbers,
Clarence Day and Julian White. Electricity was available by
1921, making it possible to own a truly modern home in Castle
Rock. The towns first two electricians were George Oliver and
Otto Schmidt. By 1920, the town had five mechanics, and most
citizens were driving cars. By 1925, the highway from Denver
to Colorado Springs was paved, and by 1930, we had a State
Highway Inspector, William Kendall, living here. The decline
of the quarry industry had changed the town forever, but by
the time the quarries closed, ranches and businesses were well
established, and most citizens had found their niche providing
goods and services that were needed by all. Castle Rock would
soon have a bank, a library and a high school. Changes in
architecture became evident during this era as well. Brick
storefronts appeared on Wilcox Street, particularly in the 300
block across from the courthouse. Popular styles for residences
were one-story cottages and two-story foursquares."
The town's first official banking institution was The Douglas
County Bank, which opened in 1902 in the old Cantril
Courthouse at the corner of Fourth and Wilcox. This bank was
originally chartered by the state of Colorado, but was converted
to a national bank later the same year. The name was changed
to The First National Bank of Douglas County in 1903, and
in 1904, the bank constructed a large rhyolite building at the
northeast corner of Third and Wilcox. This bank served the
people of Castle Rock until 1933, when it closed permanently
due to the Great Depression. Philip S. Miller, Castle Rock's
largest benefactor of all time, attempted to reorganize this bank
after it failed, but was unsuccessful. Two other banks offered
competition to First National during the early part of the
century. The Peoples Bank, later called The State Bank of Castle
Rock, was opened in 1906 and closed in 1910. The Castle Rock
State Bank, was opened in 1917 in the Enderud Building at the
northeast corner of Fourth and Wilcox. In 1923, a new building
was constructed on this site, and the bank continued to operate
until 1932. The town purchased the Castle Rock State Bank
building in 1936 and used it to house the Town Hall and library.
In 1939 the Board of Trustees agreed to lease the building to
a group of businessmen, led by Miller, who wanted to open
another bank there. Castle Rock had been without a bank since
First National closed in 1933, so this was a very popular idea.
The result was The Bank of Douglas County, which existed for
almost 60 years and became one of Coloradds most successful
banking institutions. It was here that Mr. Miller made the
fortune that would so greatly benefit the town and the county in
years to come.
Had it not been for Philip Miller and his wife, Jessie (known by
IDii'd you Q�"K)
The average lot in downtown Castle Rock
sold at auction in 1874 for $45.
.. 33
III III II5 1 (YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
A rhyolite high school was constructed in 1910 on Wilcox Street.
everyone as Jerry), Douglas County certainly would not have
the exceptional library system that it possesses today. It all
began in 1929 when the Douglas County Womeris Club decided
to open a library. This library was run by volunteers and
was only open one afternoon a week. It operated from many
locations around town, including the courthouse, Cantril School
and Town Hall. The Women's Club disbanded in 1956,
leaving Castle Rock without a library. For the next 11
years, there was a bookmobile that traveled around
town and a "basement library" that operated out of the
librarians home. In 1967, the Millers came to the rescue
and made the dream of a Douglas County public library
a reality. Over the next 20 years, the Millers donated
more than $600,000 to help finance library buildings,
expansions, etc. The Douglas County Public Library
opened in 1967 on Third Street while a permanent
building was being constructed around the corner on
Gilbert Street. The library resided at this location from
1968 to 1987 when the new Philip S. Miller Library
building was constructed on Plum Creek Boulevard.
This building sufficed until 2003 when the library moved
to a larger facility in the old Safeway building on Wilcox
Street.'9
The people of Castle Rock have always been interested
in education and have always wanted the best for
their children. Three men from Douglas County
were responsible for the passage of a bill that made
a free, public high school education attainable throughout
Colorado. It was State Representative James Frank Gardner
who actually introduced the County High School Bill (HB
114) to the Legislature in 1897, but it was Representative Cole
Briscoe who made it a reality. James Frank Gardner was the
founder of Frankstown (now known as Franktown) and has
been called the "Father of Douglas County." Gardner was the
first Douglas County Clerk and Recorder in 1863 and then
High School graduating class of 1912.
went on to pursue a career in politics at many different levels.
Cole Briscoe came to Castle Rock from Illinois and was the
original owner of the ranch that would eventually become
the Miller Ranch (owned by Philip and Jerry Miller). He
served as Douglas County Sheriff before being elected State
Representative. The State Legislature passed the high school
bill in 1900 as a result of the perseverance and hard work of
Briscoe and his friend, Frank Ball. Mr. Ball came to the area
from Massachusetts to be a teacher and eventually served as
the Douglas County Superintendent of Schools from 1894-
1904. Ball and Briscoe recognized the need to consolidate the
individual school districts so that a high school could be funded
at the county level by all of the districts. Once the high school
bill passed, state funding became available as well, and a new
consolidated high school was constructed on Wilcox Street
in 1907. The original structure burned and was replaced by a
rhyolite building in about 1910. Today this building houses the
school district offices. Ball and Briscoe were responsible for
the organization of a high school that was open to all interested
students throughout the county at no cost to their parents. As a
result of their efforts, Douglas County would soon have one of
Castle Rock's first Starlighting took place in 1936.
the best school districts in the state. Today, it is still considered
by many to be one of the best. The contributions of these two
men also created another important employer. Census records
indicate that 14% of the workers in Castle Rock were employed
by the school district in 1910. By 1930, we had our first school
bus driver.21
1920s, 't(,:) 1 94O s 1 ho7 I o+ i of o- s=sk)n (,And W(,Ai, Yc,� (,:At=s
Pre -World War II Castle Rock represents yet another
interesting period in the history of this small-town
community. Noticeable architectural additions were
one-story Bungalows and two-story Craftsman style
homes and garages. During the Great Depression and
World War II, Castle Rock residents had many of the
same experiences as everyone else in the country, but
there were a few events that took place during this time
that were unique to Castle Rock. In 1936, it was decided
that a lighted Christmas star would be erected on top
of The Rock in an attempt to raise the residents' spirits,
which were extremely low due to the Depression, and
to attract tourists. Everyone in town jumped on the
bandwagon and helped to make this effort a reality.
All the supplies were donated or paid for by various
organizations, and numerous people gave their time to
make sure this very important event took place. Men
from the Works Progress Administration, who lived at
the Civilian Conservation Corps camp, in what is now
.. 34
III III II5 1 (YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
IDii'd you QI',K)
The Keystone Hotel was constructed in
1901 and once had a dance hall on the
second floor.
Castle Oaks, designed the star. Castle Rock volunteer firemen
carried everything that was needed to the top of The Rock and
assembled the huge star that has been visible for miles around
for the past 70 years. The star was not lit for four years during
the World War II because of the rationing of electricity. When
the war ended in 1945, the star was converted to a " Y' as part
of the towns victory celebration. In 1998 and 1999, the bulbs
were changed to blue and orange in honor of the Broncos' Super
Bowl victories. The star has been repaired several times over
the years to make it stronger and safer, and the Castle Rock
Fire Department still maintains it. The Starlighting ceremony
is now sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and is held
every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It has become
a spectacular event, complete with choirs, speakers, Santa Claus,
reindeer, a chili supper hosted by the fire department and many
other activities for participants of all ages "
An event that came as quite a surprise to the residents of Castle
Rock was the tornado of 1937. The weather in this area is
often unusual, but cyclones are not what people expect to see.
This one ripped through the Downtown area, wreaking havoc
on everything in its path. Trees were completely uprooted,
garages and automobiles were totally destroyed, and there was
extensive damage to many homes and businesses. The Christ
Episcopal Church, Douglas County Mercantile and the high
school on Wilcox Street were all hit by the storm. The town
received aid from several government agencies, and the Civilian
Conservation Corps lent a hand to many in need."
In 1946, another unexpected event occurred in downtown
Castle Rock. In those days, this was a small, quiet community,
boasting a very low crime rate. The Town Marshal, Ray Lewis,
did not have an office or wear a uniform or even carry a gun.
Lewis was called to the B&B Caf6 on Wilcox Street after a
fugitive who had murdered two Denver police officers was
spotted by some of the customers in the restaurant. Lewis
attempted to apprehend the criminal, but instead, Manuel Perez
shot and killed the marshal. Perez was subsequently arrested,
tried for murder and lived out the remainder of his life in
prison in Canon City. He injured one of the men who helped
restrain him and left a bullet hole in the tin -paneled ceiling of
Castle Rocks historic B&B Caf6. This hole in the ceiling acts
as a perpetual reminder of that fateful day in Castle Rock. Ray
Lewis left behind a wife and four young children, but many
generous benefactors, including Philip Miller, made donations
to ensure the welfare of his family.
I 940s 1-(,) 198(:)=k (,�)wr7 1 [o+
Between World War II and the 1980s, Castle Rock continued
to prosper as a small agricultural community. The town's first
tract housing was constructed along the east side of Gilbert
Street after the war. The highway that connected Denver and
Colorado Springs traveled through the middle of town along
Wilcox Street until the 1950s. The Town Board fought to keep it
in this location. Ultimately the town lost this battle and in 1952
the town entered into an agreement with the State Highway
Department to participate in the construction of a bypass on the
west side of town. The north portion was completed in 1954,
and the south part was open by 1958. This was the roadway that
would become part of a new interstate highway in the 1960s and
forever change the dynamics of this small-town community.
Interstate 25 was completed from Castle Rock to Denver in
1963 and from Larkspur to Castle Rock in 1968. An excellent
highway system and the towns location halfway between two
large cities placed it in a perfect position to become home to
many commuters in the years to come.21
A 1925 aerial view of Castle Rock, prior to the construction of Interstate 25.
IIL III II5 1... (YIRY CAS I III..... III: III: CII
35
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The Continental Divide Raceway opened in 1959.
Things were still pretty quiet in Castle Rock in the 1950s, so the
opening of a drive-in theater was an exciting event. The "47
Drive -In" was built and operated by Marion Gieskieng and was
located on the northeast side of The Rock where Oakwood Park
sits today. Before the drive-in was constructed, movies were
shown in the auditorium at the high school on Wilcox. The
screen at the drive-in sat in a natural bowl on the north end of
the property, facing south. In those days, you could drive cars
up on The Rock, so many of the customers ventured up to the
high ground while movies were being shown. The driveway
into Oakwood Park Professional Center is the original road into
the drive-in, and there was a concession stand located where the
office buildings are today. Children used to play in the area as
well. The theater was torn down in the mid 1970s prior to
the development of Oakwood Park. This area consists of
residences and medical buildings and was developed in the
late 1970s. This left Castle Rock without a movie theater,
but there was another form of entertainment located just
south of town that attracted patrons from all over the front
range."
This was the Continental Divide Raceway (CDR), which
opened in 1959 in what is now Dawson Ridge. Originally,
a large arena, complete with hotel, airstrip and lake, was
planned for this location as a venue for most major Denver
sporting events. The deal fell through, but Colorado Motor
Raceways stepped in and financed the racetrack portion of
the project. A promoter named Sid Langsam owned the
property, and the track operated under his auspices until
he died. In 1978, the property was sold to another racing
company, and the name was changed to CDR Techtrack.
The raceway continued to operate until the property was
sold to a developer in the early 1980s. After that, the track
was torn up to install streets and utilities for a housing
development that has never materialized. The racing
facility consisted of a 2.8-mile closed circuit track for sports
cars, a half -mile banked oval for stock cars and a 4,200-
foot drag strip. Motorcycle races were held at this facility
as well. The grandstand could accommodate 5,000 fans
and sat on a hill with a view of the entire course. Additional
spectator areas could hold many more people, and the parking
lot could accommodate 30,000 cars. Many well-known racers
appeared here over the years, including Evel Knievel during the
summer of 1972. This facility put Castle Rock on the map in the
days when people in Colorado were beginning to realize that it
was more than a fuel stop along the new highway.21
If people were surprised by the tornado of 1937, they were
completely unprepared for the 20-foot wall of water that came
crashing down Plum Creek in the summer of 1965 and left
Castle Rock completely cut off from the outside world. It all
started with a tornado in Palmer Lake, followed by a torrential
The flood of 1965 shut down transportation to and from town.
.. 36
I III III II1 (YIRYCAS I IIL......... IIL III III
The Tyson Family were homesteaders on East Plum Creek.
rainstorm that caused the creeks to overflow.
all the bridges between Denver
and Castle Rock were washed out.
Transportation was shut down for
weeks south of Denver. Helicopters
were used to bring in supplies and
transport people across Plum Creek.
Ranchers used their horses for
transportation. Homes, businesses
and trailer parks suffered huge
losses. The area affected by the flood
was declared a disaster area, and
Congress soon provided funding
for the Chatfield Dam, which was
constructed inthelate 1960sto control
flooding of the South Platte River.
Douglas County Libraries describes
the 1965floodas "the greatest calamity
in Colorado history," and it was
certainly the most devastating since
the flood of 1864, which is the first
recorded flood in this area. Nineteen
people lost their lives during that
earlier disaster, including the Tyson
family, who were homesteaders on
East Plum Creek just south of what
is now the Town of Castle Rock.21
Tragedy struck the people of Castle
Rock, again in 1978, when their
beloved courthouse became the
victim of arson and was so badly
damagedthat ithadto be demolished.
This stately stone structure, with its
large clock tower, stood proudly in
the center of the town square for 88
years before meeting its fate at the
hands of a teenager trying to create
confusion in an attempt to release a
friend from jail. The building had
been placed on the National Register
of Historic Places in 1976, but sadly,
the girl who was responsible for its
demise, Rose Ann Lucero, probably
had very little appreciation of the
enormous piece of history that she so
hastily destroyed. Many wonderful
photographs of this special
building remain, and those
who were lucky enough to see it before it burned have
fond memories of the landmark that was such an
important part of the community for so many years. The
town square remains, and the county has another building
on the site. Many important events still take place there,
but to those who have lived here for more than 30 years, it
will never be the same.28
In 1980, something happened that would forever benefit
both Castle Rock and Douglas County. Philip and Jerry
Miller created a perpetual trust worth more than $30
million for the benefit of several deserving entities. Philip
Miller was a shrewd businessman who knew how to turn
money into more money, yet he and his wife always lived
very simply. They never had any children of their own,
but included in their trust were two childreris hospitals
and Douglas County High School. Also included were
the library, the Town of Castle Rock, Douglas County, the
Castle Rock Fire Department, the Douglas County Fair
and the 4-H Council.
The highway and Jerry Miller passed away in 1987, and Philip Miller died in 1995
shortly before his 100th birthday. After his death, the Bank of
IIL III II5 1 (YIRY CAS I IIL......... III: III: CII
37
IDii d you QOW,K)
Castle Rock was completely isolated
during the flood of 1965 and people
were evacuated by helicopter.
Douglas County was sold, and the trust funds became available.
Mr. Miller was a kind and generous person in life, the trust he
left for the benefit of everyone in Douglas County is a legacy
that will live on and continue to make this an even better place
to live.29
1 98Os 1(5 I` ro, s,o,n f <;4,<swfh (,And
The most current chapter in Castle Rocks history began in the
Many of these transplants became commuters to Denver and
Colorado Springs. Others came here to work and become
involved in the community. The population of the town has
quadrupled during this time, and Castle
Rock has been transformed into a bustling
community, with a large selection of homes,
businesses, fast food restaurants and a wealth
other amenities, while maintaining a low crime
rate and excellent school system.
�k• �9 lff ! , IIr„ Q,'�11„VJ=F,///'ill » 1 Pwiwl�l
Today's architecture is varied and represented
in numerous types of residential and
commercial styles located throughout the
town. In 1992, the Castle Rock Factory Shops
opened on the north end of town. A large
commercial district has grown up around it,
providing jobs and tax revenues to this fast-
growing community.
While similar to many American bedroom
communities, Castle Rock is a truly special
place. It possesses an ideal location,
magnificent mountain views and a moderate
climate, as well as a historic downtown,
with many exciting shops and restaurants.
Some of the original buildings are gone, but
several gems still exist in the Downtown area
and the Craig and Gould neighborhood. A
preservation ordinance, adopted by the Town
Council in 1994, and a Historic Preservation
Board, created the same year, help to protect
these areas. In 1996, the Castle Rock Museum
opened in the old Denver & Rio Grande Depot
building on Elbert Street. As the community
continues to grow and develop, the Castle
Rock Historical Society works closely with
the board and the museum in an attempt to
help preserve the towns history for future
generations.
Present-day Castle Rock faces many of the
same issues that plagued the town when it was
first formed: growth, water supplies, housing
choices, etc. A dedicated group of people gives
time and energy on a daily basis to the effort of
solving these problems and making the Town
of Castle Rock an even better place to live and
work."
38
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39
CHARACTER OF
DOWNTOWN
NEIGHBORHOODS
.. WRAC L. ..„ I...OWN L I'. III
Downtown Castle Rock can be divided into four distinct
areas, North Wilcox, Central Downtown, South
Wilcox, and the Craig and Gould neighborhood. Each
area has distinct characteristics, buildings and streetscapes that
are worthy of preservation. The South Wilcox area, although
partially included in the Downtown historic area, no longer has
historic significance to the towns early history. Conversely, the
Craig and Gould neighborhood is the largest geographic area
that still maintains a high degree of historic significance and
integrity.
North Wilcox is the area west of the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad, east of Interstate 25, north of Fifth Street and south
of Wolfensberger Road. An aerial view shows a triangular area
with a traditional street and alley grid system. North Wilcox is
a gateway to the downtown. Historically significant buildings
include the Augustine Grill, also known as the Leonard
House, the Douglas
County School District
administrative offices, built
as the first high school
in town, and the various
cottages, bungalows
and their outbuildings.
Although located just
outside of this area,
The Rock, Castle Rocks
namesake, is a visible
topographic and historic
presence.
Local and regional
transportation are Mature cottonwood frees can still
dominant features of be found along North Wilcox.
this relatively small area.
Wilcox Street bisects the area, north and south. Interstate 25,
Perry Street and the railroad act as man-made barriers to other
sections of the town. In order to traverse these transportation
corridors, three major links have been constructed in this
area: the Fifth Street overpass, the Perry Street flyover and the
Wolfensberger Road bridge. The streets in this part of town are
generally wide and the sidewalks narrow. Overhead power lines
are evident throughout the area. The lot setbacks vary, however
large paved parking lots set in front of commercial buildings
A wafer fountain and flowers accent a restaurant patio.
are common. Residential buildings are set back by modest,
landscaped front yards. Traditional street lamps with acorn -
style globes line the sidewalks and some mature cottonwood
trees and evergreens still remain in the street right-of-ways.
Stamped concrete crosswalks add character to the area. The
only examples of public art in the Downtown area are located
here, serving as modest gateway features.
The Douglas County School District office building originally functioned as a
high school, until Douglas County High School was constructed.
The scale and placement of the signage is generally
oriented to the automobile traffic. The types of
signs include wall and window signs, freestanding
monument signs, banners, projecting wall signs and
electric signs. Small, wooden freestanding signs are
typical in front yards of the historic houses that have
been converted to businesses.
North Wilcox is an area of mixed use with many
hidden treasures. Strip malls and small shops offer
services, retail and dining opportunities. Re -use of
existing buildings and former residences has been
successful. The former high school at 620 N. Wilcox
Street now serves as the administrative offices for the
Douglas County School District; the Augustine Grill at
519 Wilcox, built as a private residence, has functioned
as a restaurant for more than 40 years; and many of the
modest cottage -style homes now operate as charming
C. WRAC II 14 III IV II)OW'OWN II 11'� III II ��
specialty retail shops. Many businesses cater to motorists
providing gasoline and convenience stations, bank drive -up
windows and strip malls with significant up -front parking.
Residential properties, in the form of single and multifamily
dwellings, still exist in the area, some clearly visible on the
primary streets, while others are situated more inconspicuously
on side streets or alleys. An observant pedestrian will find many
quaint cottages, renovated garages and flowered gardens located
off alleys and in rear lots.
Historic architecture includes Folk, Classic Cottage and
Bungalow styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s and the
prominent civic architecture of the school district offices.
The simple designs and small scale of the residential houses
are indicative of the modest, working-class people who built
these homes. The one-story homes often feature dormer
windows, front porches or front entry porticos, and hipped or
gabled roofs. The exterior walls are predominantly clapboard
Decorative porch and window features, as well as gable shingles
and wide eaves are distinctive elements of the architecture
still visible in the area. In the 1930s, the Minimal Traditional
Successful re -use of a Folk style building.
Classic Cottages reflect a modest working class.
style became evident with the modest features used over the
previous decades. However, with this new style, the automobile
was accommodated with the construction of one -stall garages,
generally located off of the alleyways. Many of the older
structures remain today, with little or no alterations. The
outbuilding located at 519 N. Wilcox Street is an example of
Castle Rock Folk style. Well-preserved examples of the Classic
Cottage are found at 518 and 522 N. Wilcox Street
Commercial architecture typical of late 20th century
commercial styles has come to dominate most of Wilcox Street.
Small strip malls and office buildings, built in the 1970s and
1980s, are common. Setbacks vary, however, most have asphalt
parking lots dominating the front set back.
Two and three-story brick apartment buildings serve the
multifamily niche. As with the commercial structures, the
building style is representative of the 1970s and 1980s.
rhe Character II'Ill rriertts of North illcox
I Ic iric:.iY N lca I'ire scrirvcr
• Traditional street and alley grid system
• Natural environment: The Rock
• Northern gateway to downtown
• Public art that enhances historic preservation
• On -street parking
• Modest, landscaped front yards
• Pedestrian -oriented lighting
• Mature streetscape and private landscaping
• Decorative crosswalks
• Mixed uses
• Hidden architectural treasures: quaint cottages, renovated garages, flowered gardens
located off of alleyways and in rear lots
• Successful re -use of older buildings
• Small specialty shops
• Residential style: simple design, small scale, one-story, dormer windows, front porches,
decorative porches and window features, front entry porticos, hipped or gabled roofs,
clapboard, gable shingles, wide eaves and single stall garages generally off alleyways
I Ic iric:.iY N lca f'Irl ascr OW
• Overhead power lines
• Large parking lots in front setbacks
• Freestanding backlit signage
• Strip mall design
• Automobile -oriented businesses: fueling stations, convenience stores, strip malls with
paved parking in front setback
• Commercial architectural style of 1970s and 1980s
• Narrow sidewalks
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(:'e nfiraI IfDown fOwn
Central Downtown is the area west of the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad, east of Interstate 25, south of Fifth Street and north of
Second Street. An aerial view shows an area of traditional street
and alley grid system. Sellars Creek enters from the southeast,
follows the southern boundary and merges with Plum Creek
just before crossing under Interstate 25. A portion of the Castle
Rock Trail system runs parallel to Sellars Creek. The area is
bisected north and south by Wilcox Street, which serves as a
primary traffic corridor through town.
The Central Downtown contains significant historic areas
such as the Courthouse Square, the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad right-of-way and the mixed -use development along
Perry, Jerry and Elbert Streets. Much of the early commercial,
The Old Stone Church Restaurant, originally
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, is an
example of the Gothic Revival style.
economic and social history of the town
developed within this area. Many historic
buildings and locally designated landmarks
are located in this section of the Downtown
area such as the Masonic Lodge, Castle Caf6,
Old Stone Church, B & B Caf6, 1st Bank,
Cantril Courthouse, Victories House, Owens The Inspiration House
House, City Hotel, Inspiration House and west "boomtown" to
The Barn with adjacent Grain Elevator.
Additionally, three properties, the Denver & Rio Grande Depot
at 420 Elbert Street, the Masonic Lodge at 300 Wilcox Street
and the Castle Caf6 at 219 and 223 Fourth Street, are listed
on the National Register
of Historic Properties.
This area contains the
highest concentration of
significant properties outside
this area, but disease,
development and natural
elements have significantly
reduced the numbers.
Trees have been replanted
along the sidewalks.
Traditional lampposts, also
set along the sidewalks,
provide the street lighting.
The trees and lampposts
located in the public
sidewalks act to further
reduce the width of the
pedestrian way.
Decorative stamped MEN=
concrete crosswalks
highlight the pedestrian
crossings. Fabric awnings Trees and lamp posts reduce the
have been added to some of width of the sidewalks.
the older commercial structures. Overhead power lines remain
a visible feature throughout this area.
oil
The area supports a variety
ofpublic andprivate mixed
uses, including government,
commercial, office, retail and
residential. The offices of the
Douglas County government
dominate Wilcox Square in
at 313 Third Street has an old the 300 block of Wilcox Street.
Ise front. The town Fire Department
Headquarters is located in the
400 block of Perry Street. Retail shops and moderately priced
restaurants are scattered throughout the area, many located in
historic buildings. Single-family and multi -family units are
also located throughout the area. The single-family homes
are representative of early residential development in the
Downtown area and have been converted to businesses over
time. Re -use of former residences has been a successful means
of enhancing the variety of businesses.
of the Craig and Gould
neighborhood.
North and south bound
traffic on Wilcox and Perry
Streets, as well as the
I-25 corridor on the
western boundary of
the Central Downtown,
The roof form of the Grain make the automobile
Elevator is reflected in the newer a prominent element.
building at 200 Perry Street. Street parking is
accommodated via on -
street angle in and parallel spaces. Most off-street parking
is located behind buildings, however, some large parking
lots exist in the southern portion of this area. The public
right-of-ways consist of wide streets, narrow sidewalks
and paved alleyways. Residential lots have modest front
yards and commercial buildings are generally at a zero lot
setback. Large, established cottonwood trees once shaded
The architecture is as varied as the uses, with a mix of older
historic buildings, dating to the late 1800s, and newer
commercial structures along Perry Street, constructed in
the late 1990s and early 2000s. The scale is generally small:
Originally Douglas County Mercantile Lumber Warehouse at 400 Third
Street, is re -used today as The Barn, houses 20 plus antique shops.
C. WRAC II 14 III IV II)ONOWN II 11'� III II ��
predominantly one and two -stories, with the exception of Reyn
Rock Apartments, the county administration buildings and the
commercial development on Perry Street, which are five stories
and three stories, respectively.
Residential styles are primarily vernacular wood frame, dating
to the late 1800s, clad with clapboard, and typically one to
two -stories. The simple residential styles reflect the working
class people, with small porches, minimal ornamentation and
windows, brick chimneys and one or two shingled gables.
Early 20th century commercial in the 300 block of Wilcox Street
Commercial styles include vernacular masonry, Gothic
Revival, Italianate, and 19th and 20th century commercial
reflecting different periods of significance in the towns
history. All styles used construction materials available
locally, especially rhyolite, brick and wood. Vernacular
masonry design (1860s to present) such as Castle Caf6,
originally the Keystone Hotel, was constructed in 1901
of rock -faced stone blocks or decorative carved stone,
featuring two-story height and arched windows.
The Old Stone Church, originally Saint Francis of Assisi
Catholic Church constructed in 1888, exemplifies
Gothic Revival style of the 1870s, with steeply pitched
roofs, two-story height and arched windows. The best
example of Italianate design of the late 1800s, is the Masonic
Lodge, originally the First National Bank of Douglas County,
constructed in 1904. Again, the two-story height is typical, with
a flat or low pyramidal or hipped roof, tall, narrow windows
with arches or rounded tops and elaborate cornices or wide roof
overhangs with decorative brackets. The 19th and 20th century
commercial style is recognized in the 300 block of Wilcox.
One-story brick structures are predominant, with flat roofs and
recessed windows or entryways. The large, storefront display
windows allow for natural light and make goods visible. Red
stone or brick is typical of the 19th century style, while
beige brick with red or brown brick trim is reflected in the
20th century style.
Newer commercial construction, found in the 400
block of Perry Street, has drawn from existing historic
architectural features reflected in older construction, such
as roof forms, eaves and brackets, door and doorways
and windows. Although the scale is slightly larger,
the incorporation of historic elements makes the new
construction compatible with the older buildings in the
Central Downtown area.
The scale and character elements of the Central Downtown are
reflected in the new commercial sturctures along Perry Street.
rhe Character Elerriertts of Central Downtown
I Icrirric:iY N lca l'ire scrirvcr
• Traditional street and alley grid system
• Natural environment: Sellars and Plum Creeks, Plum Creek Trail system
• Presence of historic and landmarked buildings
• Off-street parking located behind buildings
• Modest, landscaped residential front yards
• Remnants of cottonwood tree -lined streets
• Tree revegetation
• Traditional pedestrian -oriented lampposts
• Decorative crosswalks
• Successful re -use of older buildings
• Scale is small: One and two-story older buildings, two and three-story newer buildings
• Residential: simple styles, clapboard, single story, small porches, ornamentation, few
windows, brick chimneys, one or two shingled gables, dormers, porticos, bay windows,
decorative brackets, turned porch posts, wide eaves, wood and stone materials
• Mixed uses: private, public, retail, office, residential, service
• Commercial: zero setback, fabric awnings, brick, wood and rhyolite, decorative carved
stone, arched windows, low, pyramidal or steep pitched roofs, tall, narrow windows,
elaborate cornices, wide roof overhangs, decorative brackets, recessed windows or
entryways, storefront display windows, red stone or brick, beige, red, or brown brick trim
I Icrirric:iY N lca f'Irl ascr OW
• Large paved parking lots in front setback
• Narrow sidewalks
• Overhead power lines
• Varied sign types, scales, etc.
• Freestanding backlit signage
.11,1111,
w„. I ,..I
II " �)K „�
sou[h Mc.,ox
South Wilcox is the area west
of the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad, east of Interstate
25, south of Second Street
and north of Plum Creek
Parkway. An aerial view shows
a significant departure from the
grid system of streets and alleys
of the Downtown area, although
remnants of the traditional grid
and alley system can be found
west of Wilcox Street. Lower -
density, larger -lot commercial
development is a predominant
feature of this area. Plum
Creek, its flood plain and
associated Prebbles Mouse habitat, make up the western one-
third of the area, which remains undeveloped.
South Wilcox is the southern gateway to downtown Castle
Rock. There are no locally designated historic properties
located within the South Wilcox area. There are, however, some
places of some historical interest. An early reservoir, supplying
water for the town, was located near the confluence of Plum
Bridges accented with rhyolite stone link the South Wilcox area
to the Central Downtown. Landscaping accentuates the
natural features of the area.
Creek and Sellars Creek. A local newspaper advertisement of
the period touted the reservoir as a lake resort offering boating,
bathing and refreshments.
Natural features and the resulting topography are distinct
elements. The two creeks, Plum and Sellars, traverse this
section of town. The greenbelt provided by Sellars Creek is a
The Sellars Creek floodplain creates a wildlife habitat.
The South Wilcox area contains lower -density, larger -lot commercial development with large off-
street parking in the front setback.
natural corridor for the towns trait system and creates a clear
boundary line with the more historic Downtown area to the
north. Plum Creek, west of Wilcox Street, provides an excellent
habitat for urban wildlife and the protected Prebbles Mouse.
The automobile is a dominant force in shaping the streetscape in
this part of town. Wilcox Street bisects the area and transitions
travelers from the northbound off ramp of Interstate 25 into the
The bridges over Sellars
Creek on Wilcox
and Perry Streets are
nicely detailed with
local rhyolite stone and provide a functional and compatible
architectural link to the more historic downtown. Sellars Creek
provides a lush greenbelt A portion of the Castle Rock Nature
Trail winds along the creek and is used by pedestrians and
cyclists alike.
Small areas for outdoor
public gathering and seating
are located at the library, the
gazebo and the trait access
path near the bridge on
Wilcox Street.
Public and private
businesses make up the
types of land uses in this
part of town. Town Hall, the
Police Station, the Philip S.
Miller Library and the U.S.
Post Office are found here.
There are any automobile -
oriented businesses
A shaded picnic fable adjacent to
the pedestrian frail.
..� WRAC L: ..„ OWNL I'. III ....� *� 45
New construction incorporates traditional materials.
operating, including sales, service, parts, refueling and car wash
bays. Office buildings are randomly located throughout. There
are very few small retail shops and residential uses are virtually
nonexistent. There are also few restaurants, with the exception
of The Union and some fast food varieties. Re -use has occurred
as exemplified by the Philip
S. Miller Library, previously
Safeway, and The Union,
previously Pinds Place.
The predominant style of
architecture is typical of
20th century commercial as
reflected in office buildings
and strip retail centers. The
retail buildings are set on
large footprints and set back
a significant distance from
the street. Metal warehouses
and concrete prefab tilt up
service bays are located along
South and Briscoe Streets.
Newer construction, such
as the Police Station,
Town Hall, Walgreens and
18 S. Wilcox Street, has
incorporated the scale,
materials and features
found in the architectural
styles of the Central
Downtown area. The
use of brick, awnings,
window arches and
surrounds and porticos are
examples of historically
compatible features that
have been used in the new
construction.
Traditional style street lighting is
The South Wilcox area has consistent with that found in the
changed dramatically over other downtown neighborhoods.
time, so much so that this
part of the town is no longer considered historic. Continued
change is anticipated as elements of the Downtown Plan are
incorporated
Retail buildings are set on large footprints with easy automobile access.
rhe Character Elerriertts of South Wilcox
I Ic iricrinN l(-) Pire sc.irvcr
• Southern gateway to downtown
• Natural environment: Plum Creek and Sellars Creek,
flood plains and urban wildlife habitat
• Lush Plum and Sellars Creeks greenbelts
• Castle Rock Trail system
• Landscaped right-of-ways
• Decorative rhyolite bridges connecting to Central
Downtown
• Newer commercial construction incorporating scale,
materials and features of the Downtown area: brick,
awnings, window arches, porticos
• Connection to the creeks
NOTE: This area is separate and distinct from the historic
Downtown area. Preservation of historic elements
is less of a priority, therefore, no elements are
identified as "Phase Out."
...� WRAC II II. III I........... II .. II ...II III ILA IL II II II '. III II ....� II *� 46
The Craig and Gould neighborhood is the residential area
east of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, west of Gilbert
Street, south of The Rock and north of the Douglas County
Fairgrounds. This neighborhood contains more historically
The Hammar House, above, and the Cantril School. below. are on
the National Register of Historic Places.
significant structures, with a relatively
high degree of integrity, than any
other area in town, and likely in the
entire county. Additionally, there
are two properties that are listed on
the National Register of Historic
Properties: Hammar House at 203
Cantril Street and the Cantril School
at 320 Cantril Street, although more
structures are likely eligible.
The original entrance to the Douglas
County Fairgrounds is located at
the southern end of Lewis Street. The old Franktown Road,
Highway 86/Fifth Street, traverses the northern section of the
neighborhood creating a barrier and dividing the neighborhood
in two.
The Craig and Gould neighborhood has the characteristics of
an older established residential area. The streets are wide and
the structures are set back from the roadway. The landscape
is mature and the old cottonwoods provide abundant shade
and ample habitat for urban wildlife: squirrels, birds, etc. The
detached sidewalks, traditional acorn -style lampposts and
modest front yards maintain a human scale and are inviting
to pedestrians. Picket fences parallel the sidewalks in many
places. Garages are generally removed from the streetscape and
The roads are wider in the Craig and Gould neighborhood,
with most structures set back farther from the road.
set off the alleyways. Nicely maintained landscaping and home
improvement projects reflect a pride of ownership and enhance
the charm of the area.
The town recently completed major infrastructure
improvements to the water and sewer lines, the streets and
sidewalks. Bulb -outs were added to the corners as traffic -
calming features and to improve pedestrian safety. Landscaping
was added to the street right-of-ways and traditional street
lamps were installed throughout the neighborhood The public
investment in the neighborhood has encouraged improvements
to private property.
The land use in this section of town is predominantly single-
family residential; however, modern multi -family units can be
found dispersed throughout the neighborhood. There have
been several residential remodels, as well as new construction
projects, that have taken place over the last few years.
Institutional uses such as schools and churches can be found
here as well. Philip S. Miller built Castle Rock's first library in
this neighborhood. An example of a successful re -use project,
the former library building has since been converted and now
serves as a preschool. A small amount of commercial and
industrial uses exist in the area adjacent to the railroad tracks
along Front Street.
The early residents built simple homes, constructed using local
materials and completed at a modest expense. The homes
wo-stories and set back on the lot.
Vernacular wood frame and masonry
styles featured a gabled roof, minimal
ornamentation and front porches.
During the 1870s and 1880s the
architectural designs expanded to
include Italianate, Gothic Revival and
the Classic Cottage. The Italianate
design is exemplified in the Holcomb
House at 220 Lewis Street. This two-
story home has tall, narrow windows
and decorative roof supports. The
Hammar House at 203 Cantril Street
is Gothic Revival and has the characteristic steep pitched roof,
elaborate wood trim, window surrounds and portico.
The Classic Cottage and the Foursquare designs date to the
late 1800s and early 1900s. The Classic Cottage, also found in
the Central Downtown area, continued to reflect the simple
needs and modest finances of the residents. A single -story
structure, constructed primarily with clapboard walls, it
typically displayed a small front porch, flared eaves, shingled
gables, a dormer, brick chimneys and decorative windows.
The Foursquare also became a popular design with its two-
story design and full front porch. The Cantril House at 221
Cantril Street is an example of the Foursquare design, although
additions have somewhat lessened the appearance of the
Foursquare architecture.
The Holcomb House at 220 Lewis Street is a good example of
Italianate style architecture.
...� WRAC II II. III I........... II .. II ...II III ILA IL II II II '. III II ....� II *� 47
�w�
IDid you � II�WWWI
In 1890, newcomers to Castle Rock resorted
to living in tents due to the housing shortage.
In the post -Depression and post-war 1940s and 1950s
modernism began to appear. Styles remained simple, but
designs began to accommodate the automobile. Synthetic
siding was introduced. Architectural features continued to
include small front porches, porticos, dormers, wide eaves,
gable shingles, brick chimneys and turned porch posts.
A Classic Cottage with dormers, hipped roof and small porch.
During the period from 1910 through the 1930s, the Bungalow
and Craftsman styles were introduced. The modest one-story
Bungalow and the two-story Craftsman featured low-pitched
gabled roofs, dormer windows, eave brackets, decorative porch
brackets, brick chimneys and full front porches. New building
materials were introduced in the 1920s, including stucco and
brick, but clapboard remained prevalent.
The Foursquare design, as seen in the Cantril House, was popular The one-story Bungalow style homes were often built with stucco
at the turn of the century. and brick, but clapboard remained popular.
rhe Character Elerriertts of Craig and Gould
I Ic iric"11- is to llire scrirvcr
• Traditional street and alley grid system
• Many historically significant structures
• Original entrance to Douglas County Fairgrounds
• Wide streets
• Modest to generous setbacks
• Mature landscaping, shade trees providing habitat for urban wildlife
• Detached sidewalks/boulevards
• Traditional acorn -style lampposts
• Human scale, pedestrian friendly
• Picket fences
• Garages off alleyways
• Resurgence of pride of ownership
• Predominantly single-family residential with some multi -family
• Residential: simple designs, local materials (wood and stone), one to two -stories, gabled
roofs, minimal ornamentation, front porches, tall, narrow windows, decorative roof
brackets, steep pitched roofs, window surrounds, porticos, clapboard, shingled gables,
dormers, and brick chimneys
• Public uses interspersed (schools/churches)
I Ic iric"11- is to Hrl ascr OW
• Large scale commercial and industrial uses inconsistent with the neighborhood character
m
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
49
GOALS, POLICIES,
AND STRATEGIES
II S, IL: IL..... II C AIL' II : %S II III II IL II II,
50
his section will serve as the blueprint for decision
making, action items and projects the town needs
to accomplish. The foundation of the Plan is a set of
four goats based upon the broad concepts of identification,
preservation and protection of the towels historic resources.
The goats seek to ensure compatibility of new structures within
the historic context of our existing structures, encourage
preservation activities through incentives and develop
partnerships and programs to promote the towels history.
Each goat is supported by a set of policies and strategies. The
policies will help guide future decisions made by the town
as related to the towns historic and cultural resources. The
strategies function as implementation steps that identify
projects and tasks that must occur in order to achieve the
overall goats of the Plan. If there are no strategies associated
with a policy, that policy is meant to stand alone and guide
the town when making decisions regarding future projects,
activities or capital improvements with the potential to impact
historic resources.
Goal 1 - To safeguard and preserve the heritage of
the town by historical designation of those buildings,
districts, objects, sites and structures that reflect
significant elements of the town's history.
Policy 1.1 - Identify and inventory all historic resources within
the Town of Castle Rock through historic surveys.
Strategy 1.1.1 - Leverage town funds with available
grants to survey all properties within the Downtown
area.
Strategy 1.1.2 - Identify, map and survey key historic
resources outside the Downtown area including
quarries, former town sites, homesteads, Civilian
Conservation Corps camps (CCC), trails, territorial
roads, etc.
Policy 1.2 - Prior to development of properties outside of the
downtown historic core, historic and archeological sites, areas
and resources within such properties shall be identified and
surveyed.
Strategy 1.2.1 - Revise the zoning and subdivision
regulations to require the submittal of a Historic
Inventory and Impact report as part of the development
review process. If historic resources are identified,
they should be documented and integrated into the
project, if feasible.
Policy 1.3 - Significant historic resources (buildings, sites, etc.)
shall be protected through landmark designation. Resources
should only be designated as a landmark if they are historically
significant and retain a high degree of integrity, either existing
or after restoration. Areas within the town that maintain a
high degree of context should be preserved as a whole through
historic districts and be eligible for the benefits and protections
of historic designation.
Strategy 1.3.1 - Revise the Historic Preservation
Ordinance to strengthen the designation criteria so that
only truly significant resources receive protection.
Structures or sites should meet multiple designation
criteria.
Strategy 1.3.2 - Revise the Historic Preservation
Ordinance to provide a procedure for the formation
of historic districts. Work with owners of properties
to establish historic districts where appropriate.
Strategy 1.3.3 - Establish conservation areas within
the downtown for areas not designated a Historic
District, but display a high degree of context and
integrity. Contributing structures in these areas should
receive additional protection from demolition. Design
review shall be required for new development within
these areas and local incentive programs for restoration
and rehabilitation shall be available for contributing
structures, making future designation possible.
Strategy 1.3.4 - Work with the school district to
designate important educational buildings within the
community.
Strategy 1.3.5 - Pursue historic designation for all
appropriate publicly owned historic properties, such as
quarries and CCC camps.
Strategy 1.3.6 - Explore the desirability and feasibility
of land acquisition for an historic park within Castle
Rock. As an alternative to demolition, historic
structures may be relocated to the park, where they
could remain in a contextually sensitive setting.
Policy 1.4 - The town shall focus its preservation efforts and
resources on properties built or established in or prior to 1945.
Policy 1.5 - Public dollars shall not be used to cause the
demolition of a property deemed to be historically significant
and/or eligible for local, state or national registers if a physically
and financially feasible alternative exists.
Policy 1.6 - Alternatives to demolition of buildings and objects
to accommodate private or public -sector proposals must be
considered for structures either located in a conservation area,
found to be historically significant through a historic survey
inventory, or otherwise deemed to be eligible for the local, state
or national registers. Examples of alternatives, in order of
descendingpreference, include:
Redesigning the project to minimize the impact, if physically
and financially feasible;
Incorporating the structure or site into the overall design of a
project;
Encouraging adaptive re -use of the structure or site;
Relocating the structure(s) on the property;
Relocating the structure(s) on another property with similar
context;
Relocating the structure(s) to an historic park;
Encouraging and permitting salvage of the structure and/or
significant architectural features;
Documentation (pictures and text) of the site prior to
demolition.
Strategy 1.6.1 - Revise the Historic Preservation
Ordinance to permit adequate time to evaluate
alternatives to demolition.
Strategy 1.6.2 - Revise the Historic Preservation
Ordinance to prohibit demolition and relocation of
historically designated buildings or objects prior to the
issuance of a building permit for new development.
II S, IL: IL..... II C AIL' II : %S II III II IL II II,
51
Strategy 1.6.3 - Revise the Historic Preservation
Ordinance to require owners or developers to submit
an affidavit demonstrating proof of construction
financing prior to demolition or relocation of
historically designated buildings or objects to ensure
that structures are not prematurely compromised if
funding or other approvals are not obtained.
Policy 1.7 - Properties listed on the local, state or national
register shall not be demolished or relocated, unless economic or
physical hardship is demonstrated.
Strategy 1.7.1 - Revise the Historic Preservation
Ordinance to incorporate demolition hardship criteria
for designated structures.
Policy 1.8 - Structures or sites that have been identified as
noncontributing to the town's history shall be allowed to be
demolished withoutpublic review.
Strategy 1.8.1 - The town shall develop and maintain
a list of contributing and noncontributing structures
within the Downtown area. Such list will be on file with
Development Services.
Policy 1.9 -The downtown's historic landscape should be
protected in conjunction with new development and public
projects. If trees are lost, the property owner or the town should
immediately replace them with an appropriate street tree.
Strategy 1.9.1 - Incorporate a street tree replacement
requirement or program within the towns Landscape
Regulations.
Strategy 1.9.2 - Develop a list of recommended trees to
be used for revegetation. New street trees should
require less water than the historic cottonwoods, but
should possess similar characteristics to provide shade
and comfort.
II S, IL: IL..... II C AIL' II : %S II III II IL II II,
52
Goal 2 - Ensure new development preserves or
enhances the character of the Downtown and the
Craig and Gould areas.
Policy 2.1 - Infill development within identified conservation
areas, the Craig and Gould neighborhood, established historic
districts, or adjacent to individually designated structures
shall be designed to respect the context and design of their
neighboring structures.
Strategy 2.1.1 - Develop design standards, to be used
in conjunction with existing guidelines, for the
conservation areas based upon the F.R.E.S.H. design
concepts for proper infill design. Design standards
should include build -to lines, minimum transparency
requirements, etc.
Strategy 2.1.2 - Revise the Historic Preservation
Ordinance to require design approvals by the
Historic Preservation Board within designated
conservation areas, historic districts and the Craig
and Gould neighborhood.
Policy 2.2 - Signage in the Downtown area should be
pedestrian -oriented and reflect the architectural styles of the
buildings, freestanding monument signs are not appropriate
for traditional commercial building design, but may be
approved for residential front yards at an appropriate scale.
Historic, nonconforming signage should be allowed, if it can be
demonstrated that the signage existed on the building during
the building's period of significance.
Strategy 2.2.1 - Revise the towels Sign Regulations to
allow for the proper types of signs within the
Downtown area.
Policy 2.3 - Infill development on predominantly historic blocks
with residential building character shall maintain a residential
appearance.
Strategy 2.4.1 - Evaluate the current zoning in the Craig
and Gould neighborhood. Conduct public outreach to
examine the existing zoning and determine the
appropriateness of industrial, multi -family and duplex
zoning in the neighborhood. Amend the Zoning
Regulations to update uses by right and uses by special
review.
Strategy 2.4.2 - Evaluate a transition zoning for
office use along portions of Front Street that would
maintain residential character.
Policy 2.5 - The historic streetscape in the entire Downtown
area shall be restored through public and private investment, as
new development occurs.
Strategy 2.5.1 - Revise the Landscape Regulations to
require the replacement or planting of appropriate
street trees.
Policy 2.6 - Civic projects must not destroy or detract from the
historic fabric of the Downtown area.
Strategy 2.6.1 - Coordinate with Capital Improvement
Project Managers to ensure projects do not adversely
impact identified historic resources. Develop
alternatives, where feasible.
IDii'd you QI"'l "
Cows ran at -large in downtown until
Policy 2.4 -Revise zoning in the Downtown area and Craig outlawed In 1898.
and Gould neighborhood so it is not a deterrent to preservation.
II S, IL: IL..... II C AIL' II : %S II III II IL II II,
53
Goal 3 - Develop and provide incentives for the
preservation, restoration and adaptive re -use of
historic properties.
Strategy 3.1.1 - Explore and implement other
innovative incentives such as use -tax waivers for
rehabilitations, transferable development rights,
property tax freezes, or other appropriate incentive
programs.
Strategy 3.1.2 - Work with Douglas County or private
institutions to implement joint programs, such as
property tax freezes and no -interest loans for historic
districts.
Strategy 3.1.3 - Designate town staff as a point of
contact that will assist property owners with grant
applications, building permits and other improvement
options.
Strategy 3.1.4 - Develop comprehensive incentive
packages, utilizing existing programs, for property
owners to restore building facades.
Goal 4 - Promote the town's history to foster public
support, appreciation and understanding of historic
and archeological resources through public
education and partnerships.
Policy 4.1 - Partner with local businesses, public entities,
service organizations and schools to provide information and
educational resources related to the town's history and historic
resources.
Strategy 4.1.1 - Continue to update the existing
Downtown area walking brochures and create new
tours for the remainder of town.
Strategy 4.1.2 - Establish a historic preservation
speaker series for educational workshops.
Preservation Board, Castle Rock Historic Society,
and the Douglas County History Research Center to
continue to document local history.
Strategy 4.1.4 - Work with local newspapers, DC8
and other media outlets to feature stories about historic
preservation, successful renovation projects and
increase overall awareness of the history of Castle Rock.
Strategy 4.1.5 - Sponsor workshops and speakers to
inform the public about restoration techniques and the
towels history.
Strategy 4.1.6 - Create a partnership between the
school district and the town to create more educational
opportunities regarding the history of Castle Rock.
Strategy 4.1.7 - Inform property owners of the
significance of their property once researched.
Strategy 4.1.8 - Educate the public on the economic
benefits and incentives of historic preservation.
Strategy 4.1.9 - Work with the Chamber of Commerce
to promote Castle Rock as a heritage tourism
destination.
Policy 4.2 - Develop, support and promote methods to educate
and communicate local history to residents and visitors.
Strategy 4.2.1 - Create a comprehensive signage
program throughout the community for buildings, sites
and geological features.
Strategy 4.2.2 - Create a Web site that promotes the
history of the community.
Strategy 4.2.3 - Continue to fund the Castle Rock
Museum.
Strategy 4.2.4- Support the formation of an advocacy
Strategy 4.1.3 - Work with the Douglas County group to promote and implement historic preservation.
54
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55
CONSERVATION
AREAS
I` � IL111111 III L III „ , S 56
he Downtown area has significantly changed over the
last 30 to 40 years. Before the large annexations of the
1980s, most of the community's growth was directed in
and around the Downtown area. This resulted in the demolition
of some of the town's significant buildings and sites and disrup-
tion in the historic fabric of the Downtown area. Excluding
the Craig and Gould neighborhood, the Downtown area has
little historic context left. However, there are distinct pockets
within this area that still maintain a degree of context. These
areas have been identified as locations where the town needs
to concentrate its energy to ensure that historic structures and
neighborhood character are maintained. Conservation areas are
the smaller geographic areas within the larger downtown that
have a substantial amount of congruous historic structures that
maintain a high degree of historic significance and integrity.
Conservation areas have several purposes:
• To focus the efforts and authority of the Historic
Preservation Board on design and demolition review.
• To work with property owners to rehabilitate and restore
historic facades utilizing a variety of historic incentive
programs.
A landmark plaque identifies the Jacob Kroll House.
• To insure compatible building design for new construction
within these areas through existing guidelines and new
standards.
• To work towards cooperative landmark designation or
historic district status of all significant structures within
these areas.
Downtown Castle Rock Within a conservation area
Age of Existing Structures there are contributing and
Legend noncontributing structures.
— — - gk Local Landmark A contributing structure
Or Rail rau Rest afar retains a high degree of
7 ctti+rftha Square historic significance and/or
jl�� $0=1Ha�s integrity, as well as meeting
South pars age requirements. A
., Histoft Dowrilown Area
Year Built noncontributing structure is
varrant generally newer, has no historic
1870-1ee9 relevance to the area, or has
1900-1935 been altered to an extent that
��ll�l�l�l�llf 1936,1945all historic elements have
NuNmulPylS disappeared and cannot be
EtkkNilN� W,,,,,,N��fiu,,�m�o1057-2006
reconstructed.
11 ....................
0
Conservation areas will be
used as a tool to protect and
enhance the historic character
of these areas over time, with
the cooperation of property
owners through public
and private partnerships.
Contributing structures within
these areas will be allowed
to take advantage of local
historic preservation incentive
programs, regardless of
designation status in exchange
for rehabilitating, restoring and
protecting historic facades.
Three conservation areas
have been identified in the
Downtown area. They are the
Wilcox School Area, located
on North Wilcox Street, the
Courthouse Square Area,
located around the present day
Douglas County administration
building, and the Perry Street
Area, located between Second
and Third Streets along Perry
Street. Each of these areas is
significant for unique reasons
and represents different periods
within the town's history.
I *� IL111111 L AIII ';. , S 57
`7 k..,ox S(.-'hoof o ns��� irvc.fliion Airea
This area includes and surrounds the Wilcox School building,
now occupied by Douglas County School District and used as
administrative offices. In the 1900s, the building was enlarged
with the construction of a brick expansion that wraps around
3 sides of the
structure. The
original building was
a two-story rhyolite
building with a
hipped roof. The old
school building can
still be seen from
Perry Street
Surrounding the
The Classic Cottage, at 522 Wilcox Street, Wilcox School is
was built in 1912. the remains of the
Boundaries of the Wilcox School Conservation Area
See color legend on page 56.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
'III T,OX ,`w<:11001 ("0 l,`wI I�` A IIIO ,1 l4R A PRO RI III S
urd
Addfess
Yeaf Mi1 fi
Q ,orOfVbafing
D4bs7lgll"ga0.h4°4JLa0.11"g411.11"ncafk
PQhh4Pll" fiat La0.11"g411.rna fk
315 Seventh St.
1970
No
No
No
317 Seventh St.
1922
Yes
No
Research Needed
518 N. Wilcox St.
1936
Yes
No
Yes
519 N. Wilcox St.
1870, 1902
Yes, Yes
No
Yes
522 N. Wilcox St.
1912
Yes
No
Yes
620 N. Wilcox St.
1911
Yes
No
Yes
704 N. Wilcox St.
1897
Yes
No
Yes
706 N. Wilcox St.
1939
Yes
No
Yes
ILA*� I III IL..II ILAA I Ih : S 58
(,,'orseirvc.A'ion Airea
The Courthouse Square Conservation
Area is the heart of downtown
Castle Rock. The area consists of 30
properties built between the 1880s
and 1890s. While a significant amount
of historic structures have been lost
overtime, including arguably the
most important building, the old
rhyolite County Courthouse, this area
remains significant because of the
wide variety of architecture.
The architecture includes vernacular
residential structures such as 213
Fourth Street, originally Hackett
Funeral Parlor, and 305 Jerry Street.
One of two remaining false front
structures located at 313 Third Street
reflects the style of the old west boom
towns.
The stately County Courthouse stood at the center of the Courthouse Square. Ifs architects,
Early 20th century commercial W. R. Parsons & Sons, designed many turn of the century courthouses throughout the U.S.
architecture, characterized by brick,
one-story buildings with large display windows, is located along including the Keystone Hotel, the Masonic Lodge and the Old
Wilcox Street, and some of the most significant stone structures, Stone Church, are located on the Square.
Boundaries of the Courthouse Square Conservation Area
See color legend on page 56.
I *� IL L A R S 59
Hackett Funeral Home
213 Fourth Street
The Square also remains the center of Douglas
County government. The first Douglas County
courthouse, known as the Cantril Courthouse,
is located at 324 Wilcox Street, and the modern
Douglas County Administration building is
located in the middle of the Square.
? 10 Third St.
?11 Fourth St.
? 16 N. Wilcox St.
Z21 N. Wilcox St.
Z23 Fourth St.
Z40 N. Wilcox St.
300 N. Wilcox St.
301 Jerry St.
301 N. Wilcox St.
302 N. Wilcox St.
305 Jerry St.
306 N. Wilcox St.
307 Third St.
308 N. Wilcox St.
309 Jerry St.
309 Third St.
310 N. Wilcox St.
312 N. Wilcox St.
313 Jerry St.
314 N. Wilcox St.
316 N. Wilcox St.
319 Jerry St.
321 Jerry St.
324 N. Wilcox St.
330 Third St.
102 N. Wilcox St.
106 Jerry St.
107 Jerry St.
107 N. Wilcox St.
Yeaf M:fifi
1880
1885
1969
1976
1908
1970
1904
1940
1981
1938
1902
1941
1920
1909
1940
1920
1993
1923
1958
1948
1908,1921
1887
1975
1875
1900
1922
1924
1960
1952
Q.;or dll" baG:d n
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Research Needed
No
No
Yes, Yes
Yes
Research Needed
Yes
Research Needed
Yes
Research Needed
No
No
The character of this area includes one and two-
story brick and stone commercial structures with
decorative cornices and brickwork constructed at
zero setbacks. The residential buildings have small
front yards and simple one to two-story gabled
roof lines. The Douglas County administration
6 building has a large front yard that faces Wilcox
Street, with some of the oldest cottonwoods in the
area.
312 Jerry Street
ll Desf n, ded Landrnafk
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
d okmfial ll,andrnaf
Yes
Yes
No
No
N/A
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Research Needed
No
No
Yes
Yes
Research Needed
Yes
Research Needed
Yes
Research Needed
No
No
ILA*� II III IL II ILAA I S 60
The building now
houses The Barn
and has many
adjacent accessory
buildings, including
the original grain
elevator. The newer
Castle Rock Feed
and Western Wear
building, at 200 Perry
Street, complements
the lumber building
by the using the
monitor roof form.
The west side of
the 200 block of
Perry features two
landmarked historic
houses, the Owens
House and a church.
Boundaries of the Perry Street Conservation Area
See color legend on page 56.
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
I'1 I'I'Y,`wIF11.I.70< ,OR` AI14 1<O�,1l4MA f'1�011 RIII1S
Grain Elevator
420Third Street
Addfess
Yeaf Mfifi.
C;Tll"0ll'VII)AGl.7ng
D4bs7l"gna0.kxl.La0.u"g41rnafk
PQhfl4mfial La0.u"gGll.rnafk
200 N. Perry St.
2000
No
No
Research Needed on
Outbuildings
203 N. Perry St.
1887
Yes
Yes
N/A
207 N. Perry St.
1871
Yes
Yes
Yes
213 N. Perry St.
1880
Yes
Yes
N/A
221 N. Perry St.
1925
Yes
No
Yes
221 N. Perry St.
1925
Yes
No
Yes
317 Third St.
1908
Yes
No
Yes
400 Third St.
1905
Yes
No
Yes
420 Third St.
1905, 1967
Yes, No
No
Yes, No
I *� IL III L.. III ';. , S 61
(.,'iraiig and (:',ould IN6ghboirhoc. d
The Craig and Gould neighborhood meets the criteria of a
conservation area, however the area may also meet the criteria
for designation as a historic district. During the public outreach
process associated with the development of this Plan, there was
considerable interest expressed in pursuing district designation
for this historic neighborhood.
A historic district is a formally recognized area where all
contributing structures are treated as designated landmarks
and protected as such. A significant period of time may elapse
between the adoption of this Historic Preservation Plan, the
approval of legislation that allows for the formation of historic
districts, and the submittal of an application for district
designation by the residents. For that reason, the Craig and
Gould neighborhood will be subject to regulations pertaining to
design review by the Historic Preservation Board
62
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63
DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS
II II II II IL: II III IL.. II ILA II .. III II *� 64
concern that design standards not be overly The new building on the right is a F.R.E.S.H design because if incorporates all of
burdensome to property owners and must not the elements for proper infill design.
building measuring 50 feet by 20 feet has a 1,000 square foot
stifle creativity. As such, the concept of F.R.E.S.H. infill design
footprint. In historic neighborhoods, footprints are generally
philosophy was introduced to the work group. The concept
compatible. New construction in older areas sometimes creates
includes and illustrates all of the necessary elements needed to
incompatible footprints. This awkward relationship between
ensure contextually sensitive infill buildings.
the buildings can create unpleasant aesthetic conditions and
�'� III'"„III„III,,, �'„�®f
adversely affect the integrity of the smaller structure, as the
„
larger footprint may consume multiple lots or overshadow
neighbors. To combat these issues, F.R.E.S.H. infill projects
The F.R.E.S.H. philosophy was developed by the staff of
have footprints, which are compatible to surrounding buildings.
Colorado Historical Society as a way to remember and explain
the most basic components of proper contextual infill design.
L� C"m C
�
F.R.E.S.H. is an acronym meaning:
Y g�
F = Footprint
R = Roof
E = Envelope
S = Skin
H = Holes
Collectively, these components can create compatible buildings
for historic downtowns and neighborhoods. F.R.E.S.H.
concepts encourage new and creative design, while safeguarding
the context and integrity their historic neighbors.
c. O I �Diri n f
The footprint is the outside dimension of a building which
describes the amount of space it occupies on the ground. This
figure is usually expressed in square footage. A one-story
Differing footprints between buildings cause awkward
relationships and completely overwhelm their neighbors.
Roofs come in many shapes and sizes. In downtown Castle
Rock gabled, hipped, and flat roofs are the most common
roof forms. The introduction of a roof form with a different
Significantly differing building envelopes cause awkward
relationships with their neighbors.
size and shape may be incongruent with the context of the
neighborhood. F.R.E.S.H. emphasizes the construction of
new buildings with compatible scale and roof forms within
existing neighborhoods. New and old roofs should be similar
in pitch, complexity and orientation. F.R.E.S.H. concepts
discourage vertical additions to existing structures, known as
pop -tops, since they require the removal of the original roof
to accommodate the addition of multiple floors. Pop -tops
often result in changes to the original roof style and scale of
the building, which can adversely impact adjacent historic
properties. Pop -tops that employ the original roof form,
however maintain the character of the neighborhood.
II II II II II II III ILS II' II : III II :*
65
While these two buildings have similar envelopes, their skin, roof shape and
solid to void ratio result in incompatible designs.
nv( b�D(
The envelope is the outside of the building. If you could
shrink-wrap a building and then remove everything
but the shrink-wrap, you would be left with the shell or
envelope. The envelope is the first thing many people
see when they look at a building. Consequently, if infill
buildings look out of place, the envelope is often to
blame. When the envelope is too large, the infill structure
overwhelms the smaller buildings in the area. F.R.E.S.H.
design concepts suggest that the envelope should be
similar in projections, height, bulk, height -width ratio as
the existing buildings.
Skin
A building's skin is its outer membrane, such as brick or
wooden walls, glass, steel cladding, stone and concrete.
In Castle Rock the typical skin materials are brick,
rhyolite stone, glass and wood. A building's skin has a
profound visual impact, therefore, inappropriate skin
can be significant detriment to
a buildings compatibility, even
when other F.R.E.S.H. elements
are reasonably incorporated into
the design. F.R.E.S.H. stresses
that new structures should be
clad in a material that is visually
and physically similar to the
surrounding buildings. 1i
Holes are defined as the pattern of doors or
windows on a building. F.R.E.S.H. design concepts
recommend that the doors, windows and other
openings should imitate the style and pattern
used on surrounding structures. As with the
other components of F.R.E.S.H., the holes of a
new structure should be compatible to those of its
neighbor as measured by the solid to void ratio, the
ratio between a building's walls (the solid) and the
openings in the walls (the void).
Since each conservation area has its own unique
character elements, each area will have specific
standards tailored to enhance its overall character.
Through the implementation strategies of this Plan,
F.R.E.S.H. based design standards will be developed
and integrated into Castle Rock Design to create a
comprehensive design document.
The solid to void ratio, as represented by the doors and windows, are
compatible between the three buildings above.
The new commercial development in the 400
block of Perry Street Cleft) is a good example of
the application of F.R.E.S.H. in -fill design concepts.
When compared to the 300 block of Wilcox Street
(above), the new construction reflects similar
and compatible footprints, roof shape, building
envelops, skin and holes.
66
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67
IMPLEMENTATION
68
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Achoini
Ainificipated twirl II ate
Coilyqplllefioini II ate
Revisions to the Historic Preservation Ordinance
May 2007
September 2007
a. Conservation Area Implementation
b. Historic District Process
C. Stronger Landmark Designation Criteria
d. Design Review Process Revisions
e. Demolition Criteria
Implementation of Design Standards
Dependent upon
No later than March 2008
(This will occur either as a revision to Castle Rock
implementation method
Design or integrated with overall downtown zoning scheme)
Revisions to Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations
May 2007
September 2007
a. Historic Surveys for new development.
Downtown Historic Inventory Survey
May 2007
December 2008
Streetscape Replacement Regulations
In conjunction with Landscape
Regulation Revisions
Revisions to Craig and Gould Zoning
July 2007
March 2008
(This should be done in conjunction with the
Downtown Plan)
Incentive Program
September 2007
September 2008
a. Building Use Tax/Permit Waiver
b. Property Tax discussion with county
C. Other programs
Sign Code Revisions
In conjunction with
a. Provision for non -conforming historic signage
the Downtown Plan
b. Sign Regulations for conservation areas
Historic Signage Program
In Process
a. Design Templates
May 2007
b. Sign Content and Installations
July 2008
Educational Programs
Ongoing
70
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L Il,L' 71
'Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Ancient Denvers Web site
'Josephine Lowell Marr, Douglas County, A Historical Journey, Encarta; Southern Ute Indian Tribe website; Colorado
Department of Personnel & Administration
'Robert L. Lowenberg, Castle Rock, A Grass Roots History
'Bureau of Land Management - General Land Office Records; Castle Rock Journal; U.S. Census, 1870
'Lowenberg; Susan Consola Appleby, Fading Past, The Story of Douglas County, Colorado
'Marr; Lowenberg; Appleby; Alice M. Thompson; Walk With Our Pioneers - A Collection, U.S. Census, 1870 and 1880
'Lowenberg; Thompson; Appleby; The Castle Rock Writers, Douglas County, Colorado, A Photographic Journey, Denver and Rio
Grande Web site
'Marr; Lowenberg; Thompson; Castle Rock Journal, April 20, 1892
MMarr; Lowenberg; Thompson; U.S. Census, 1870 and 1880
''Marr; Lowenberg; Schmidt Construction Web site; Friends of Union Station Web site; U.S. Census, 1920
"Town of Castle Rock, Castle Rock Style, A Guide to Preserving Our Architectural Heritage, U.S. Census, 1870 and 1880
12Marr; Lowenberg; Appleby; Denver Daily News, June 9, 1903
13Lowenberg; Marr; Thompson; Castle Rock Journal
"Lowenberg; Castle Rock News Press, June 1981
''Marr; Lowenberg; Thompson; Castle Rock Journal; Castle Rock News Press, November 1980; Douglas County Historical Society
Our Heritage: People of Douglas County, Bureau of Land Management; Castle Rock Style
16Marr; Lowenberg; Appleby; Castle Rock Journal; U.S. Census, 1880 and 1900; 2006 Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Castle
Rock, Colorado, Town of Castle Rock Historic Preservation Board
"Marr, Lowenberg; Town of Castle Rock Minutes and Ordinances; Castle Rock Journal, May 21, 1884; Littleton Independent,
July 2, 1915; U.S. Census, 1900
"A Douglas County History Timeline, Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libriaries, Castle Rock Style;
Castle Rock Journal, September 28, 1900; U.S. Census, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930
19Debbie Buboltz-Bodle, Philip Simon Miller: Butcher, Banker and Benefactor
20Marr; Lowenberg; Kathleen McCoy and Marjorie Meyerle, A Photographic Journey, Castle Rock Journal; U.S. Census, 1910
and 1920
21 Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce Web site
22Daily News Press, May 28, 1937
"Daily News Press, February 15, 1946; Biography file, Douglas County Libraries; Castle Rock Style; SteveMandich.com
"Town of Castle Rock, Town Board Minutes; Highways of Colorado Web site
"Judy Crenshaw; Fabby Hillyard; Fred Edison
26Colorado Motorsport Web site; Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libriaries; Fred Edison;
Arapahoe Herald, December 19, 1956; Sports Cars Inc., September 1958
27Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libriaries, Douglas County News
"Lowenberg; Appleby
29Bubolz-Bodle
30Marr; A Douglas County History Timeline, Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libriaries
72
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IL: II IL. III IL: II ' I II C CIII II II II IL
73
Cover Bottom Bank of Douglas County Unknown
20 300 Block of Wilcox Street Unknown
eiryiveiY° Museuirn of IlN( lucre aind Sa"nr'ilieuryua"n e"
26 Castle Rock Rain Forest Jan Vriesen
* ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, IMAGE ARCHIVES, DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE
eiryiveir Ill'uIbk lc IIUbirair a, Westeirini Ifistary, aind Geuryue(Al l' '
placl ( lilil�� III � aruY°'dill l'ili uryu uY°� l uY°�' auryu� uY°
31 Castle Rock Cemetery M. King
DouclIIIas Couinity, IIfisl llr ' II eeaira"nrllii Ceinteir
l°al' e(
IPII'l�� I'll � arllY°PIIII 'lPll llryu
Cover Top
The City Hotel
Cover Middle
Holcomb & Whitney Hardware
10
D&RG Depot
10,29
Douglas County Courthouse
11
Christ's Church Episcopal
12,23
Summer View of the Rock
13
AT&SF Depot
13
Owens House
13,28
Train leaving D&RG Depot
23,58
1889 Douglas County Courthouse
28
Santa Fe Quarry Workers
29
Main Street Castle Rock
30
1874 Douglas County Courthouse
31
Castle Rock Public School
31
M.E. Church
32
Water Works Pumping Station
32
Residence of G.A. Triplett
33
D.C. High School on Wilcox
33
DCHS Class of 1912
33
Christmas Star at Castle Rock
Frank Reistle
Frank Reistle
Frank Reistle
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Frank Reistle
Unknown
Louis C. McClure
Frank Reistle
Unknown
Frank J. Duca
Frank Reistle
Frank Reistle
Unknown
Frank Reistle
Frank Reistle
Esme Harcourt Couch
Unknown
Unknown
34 Castle Rock View from the Rock
Frank J. Duca
35 Flood Damage
Fred LaPerriere
36 Tyson Family
Unknown
57 Residence of H.C. Wood
Frank Reistle
59 J.B. Hackett Undertaking Parlors
Frank Reistle
59 Holcomb & Whitney Store
Unknown
lbeirl III„ IlL weiryulbeirl'
30 Philip P. Wilcox Sketch
www„'ililllllWru�.� �„�l„a"nr uY�m�°'uY�mluY°II��uY°l�°`luY°��a"nr III��'a"nr uryul'iliuryu��uryu
35 Continental Divide Raceway
X-6844
Ref. ll
678.002
678.011
678.004
678.115
678.025
678.033
678.005
97032
678.031
678.001
678.100
678.118
678.003
678.006
678.024
678.007
678.008
678.104
678.105
Local
History
Collection
678.034
2001.51.01
95066
678.022
678.017
678.108
ouira" e
Castle Rock, A Grass Roots History
Copyright 1980, Page 10
Unknown
All other photographs and graphics used in this Historic Preservation Plan, and not listed above, are the
property of the Town of Castle Rock.
All Archivists listed above retain any and all copyright, including derivative and reproduction rights, where
applicable. The use of any image noted above, for any purpose, requires the written permission of the
Archivist.