HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/20/2004 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 060, 2004, DESIGNA ITEM NUMBER: 13
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: April 20, 2004
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Karen McWilliams
SUBJECT
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 060, 2004, Designating the Charles H. Sheldon House as a
Fort Collins Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code.
RECOMMENDATION
The Landmark Preservation Commission and staff recommend adoption of the Ordinance on
Second Reading.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The owners of the property, Jack and Maryann Blackerby, initiated this request for Fort Collins
Landmark designation for the Charles H. Sheldon House. The property is individually eligible
for landmark designation under City of Fort Collins Landmark Preservation Standard 2, for its
association with Charles H. Sheldon, an early day banker of Fort Collins; with Arthur M.
Garbutt, a prominent architect in the Fort Collins area; and with Herman W. Schroeder, one of
the most important contractors and builders in Fort Collins. The Sheldon House is also
significant under Standard 3, as a good representation of the American Foursquare style of
architecture. The property contains a non-historic garage which does not contribute to the
historic character of the property and is not a part of these designation proceedings. This
Ordinance was unanimously adopted on First Reading on April 6, 2004.
ORDINANCE NO. 060, 2004
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
DESIGNATING THE CHARLES H. SHELDON HOUSE,
616/618 WEST MULBERRY STREET, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO,
AS A FORT COLLINS LANDMARK PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 14
OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14-2 of the City Code, the City Council has established a
public policy encouraging the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of landmarks within the
City; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution dated March 24, 2004 the Landmark Preservation Commission
(the "Commission")has determined that the Charles H. Sheldon House has individual significance
to Fort Collins under Landmark Designation Standard (2), for its association with Charles H.
Sheldon, an early day banker of Fort Collins; with Arthur M. Garbutt, a prominent architect in the
Fort Collins area; and with Herman W. Schroeder,one of the most important early contractors and
builders in Fort Collins; the Sheldon House is also significant under Standard (3), as a good
representation of the American Foursquare style of architecture; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has further determined that said property meets the criteria of
a landmark as set forth in Section 14-5 of the Code and is eligible for designation as a landmark,and
has recommended to the City Council that said property be designated by the City Council as a
landmark; and
WHEREAS, the owners of the property have consented to such landmark designation; and
WHEREAS, such landmark designation will preserve the property's significance to the
community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the recommendation of the Commission and
desires to approve such recommendation and designate said property as a landmark.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the property, historically known as the Charles H. Sheldon House, located
in the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado, described as follows, to wit:
EAST 50 FEET OF LOTS 10, 11 & 14, TOGETHER WITH THE EAST 50 FEET OF LOT 15
LYING NORTH OF MULBERRY STREET, BLK 267,LOOMIS ADDITION, FORT
COLLINS, WHICH IS DESCRIBED AS BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF
LOT 15, THENCE WEST 50 FEET,THENCE SOUTH 7.59 FEET TO THE NORTH LINE OF
MULBERRY STREET, THENCE EAST 50 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE EAST LINE OF
LOT 15,THENCE NORTH 7.95 FEET TO BEGINNING
also known as 616/618 West Mulberry Street
is hereby designated as a Fort Collins landmark pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of
Fort Collins.
Section 2. That the Secretary of the Interiors standards and guidelines for the treatment of
historic properties will serve as the standards by which alterations, additions and other changes to
the buildings and structures located upon the above described property will be reviewed for
compliance with Chapter 14, Article III, of the Code of the City of Fort Collins.
Introduced,considered favorably on first reading,and ordered published this 6th day of April,
A.D. 2004, and to be presented for final passage on the 20th day of April, A.D. 2004.,
f
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 20th day of April, A.D. 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
ITEM NUMBER: 19
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: April 6, 2004
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Karen McWilliams
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 060, 2004, Designating the Charles H. Sheldon House as a Fort
Collins Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code.
RECOMMENDATION CC)PY
The Landmark Preservation Commission and staff recommend adoption of the Ordinance on
First Reading. At a public hearing held on March 24, 2004, the Landmark Preservation
Commission voted unanimously to recommend designation of this property as a landmark for its
historical and architectural significance to Fort Collins.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The owners of the property, Jac and M arm yaretiating this request for Fort
Collins Landmark designation fo e C sH. on He property is individually
eligible for landmark designation un r City o ort o ins Preservation Standard 2,
for its association with Charles H. Sheldon, an early day banker of Fort Collins; with Arthur M.
Garbutt, a prominent architect in the Fort Collins area; and with Herman W. Schroeder, one of
the most important contractors and builders in Fort Collins. The Sheldon House is also
significant under Standard 3, as a good representation of the American Foursquare style of
architecture. The property contains a non-historic garage which does not contribute to the
historic character of the property and is not a part of these designation proceedings.
BACKGROUND
Charles H. Sheldon, the first resid%enhf`t`his%htME#, came to Fort o lins from New York State in
1874, two years after the Agricultural Colony was founded. Sheldon was a prominent banker in
Northern Colorado for many years. He gained his first experience in banking when he was
employed as a bookkeeper at the A.K. & E.B. Yount Bank in May of 1875. This was Fort
Collins' first successful bank. Sheldon served as the bank's cashier from the fall of 1876 until
the fall of 1878. At that time, he co-founded a competing bank with William C. Stover, another
prominent businessman and civic leader. The firm, known as Stover and Sheldon, opened the
Poudre Valley Bank in November 1878. [This institution is still conducting business today as
the Wells Fargo Bank.] Stover was president, and Sheldon served as cashier of the bank from
1878 until 1925. At that time, he took the less active role as vice president, remaining in that
position until his retirement in 1931. Sheldon is credited with the survival of the bank through
the Panic of 1893. He is also credited for contributed greatly to the development of Fort Collins
April 6, 2004 -2- Item No. 19
and the surrounding area, through his influence with the bank's directors and stockholders,
particularly concerning the loans the institution granted.
Arthur M. Garbutt, the architect who designed the Charles H. Sheldon House, was active in Fort
Collins from approximately 1902 through 1912. The actual date of his arrival in Fort Collins is
unknown; however, he first advertised his services in the local newspapers December 10, 1902,
as being associated with a Fort Collins builder, C.J. Loveland. Garbutt designed several
residences and business throughout Fort Collins and Northern Colorado, including the Colorado
Block, several school buildings, and many residences. On other projects, Garbutt partnered with
Montezuma Fuller. Around 1912 tt t w he practiced architecture
for several years before retiring. s mar exce n ca a rn both states.
Herman W. Schroeder, the builder h o was a inent contractor and builder
in Fort Collins for approximately 40 years. He came to Fort Collins from Wisconsin in April of
1878. Schroeder gained widespread recognition in the building trade, and his status changed
from carpenter and builder to contractor. It was during this time period that the Sheldon House
was built. Many of Schroeder's structures have been either demolished or significantly altered.
The Charles H. Sheldon House is a good example of his fine craftsmanship.
Located at 616/618 West Mulberry Street, the Charles H. Sheldon House was originally built in
1905 at 131 South Howes Street. The house was moved in 1956 to its present location to
prevent its demolition. In 1954 a of r n Association bought the
property from the estate of th Sheldo dau to a s. Ernest) Graves. The
association planned to build a 1 offi a omp that site nd proposed to demolish the
house. (The large office complex w ever n e Phip , local contractor, arranged to
move the house to his property at 616 West Mulberry Street. Vance, his wife Barbara, and their
children occupied the Sheldon House until 1973. Ann and William McClelland bought the
property in 1974. During the McClelland's ownership, a portion of the home was used for the
couple's real estate office. In 1989, the Sheldon House was sold to George M. (Mike) and
Rebecca Martin. The Martins converted the property into a bed and breakfast, opening it for
business in 1991, and remodeled the attic into living quarters. Jack and Mary Ann Blackerby
purchased the property in 2000, and continue to operate the property as the Sheldon House Bed
and Breakfast while residing in the oediThe Sheldon House was cons ted asa rsqu with elements of Colonial
Revival. The structure has a b as compos on shingles, with wide eave
overhangs and exposed modillions. Other distinctive features include fish-scale shingles beneath
gables, a shed and a gabled dormer, and curved bay windows. The front porch is open with a flat
roof, open wood balustrade railing, and columns. The flat roof serves as a second-story balcony,
accessed by a pair of French doors with diamond lights. Either to facilitate its move, or
subsequent to its relocation, the building underwent several modifications. The original roof,
chimney and porch were removed. A full concrete basement was poured to replace the original
sandstone foundation on which the structure stood at 131 South Howes. The original front
porch, supported by boxed-in posts, spanned the width of the home. The 1967 Assessor's photo
shows a much smaller porch, its flat roof supported by thin columns or posts. The porch was
again remodeled sometime prior to 1980, to include fluted columns. Also during this time, a
wooden shed roof awning was added, projecting over the first floor windows to the west of the
entry. This shed roof awning contains a decorative pediment detail. Following its relocation, a
April 6, 2004 -3- Item No. 19
simplified bellcast hipped roof was added to the home, without the large side dormer or the
dormers on the facade. By 1980, a shed dormer was added to the west elevation. In 1995, the
roof was again completely rebuilt to accommodate the attic suite. This roof appears much like
the original. While the large west elevation gable was not reconstructed, the roof now sports the
smaller gable and shed roof dormers on the faqade, modeled after the original.