HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/17/2001 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 114, 2001, DESIGNAT AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 14
DATE: July 17, 2001
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL FROM:• Karen McWilliams
SUBJECT:
First Reading of Ordinance No. 114,2001,Designating the John and Inez Romero House,425 Tenth
Street, as a Local Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code.
jo
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. At a public hearing held on June 27,
2001, the Landmark Preservation Commission unanimously recommended designation of this
property as a landmark for its significant architectural and historical importance to Fort Collins.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The owner of the property, Fort Collins Partners I, LLC, is initiating this request for landmark
designation for the John and Inez Romero House. This residence has architectural importance as an
exceptional example of adobe architecture in Fort Collins. Additionally, the house has historical
importance, for its association with the sugar beet industry in Fort Collins, and for its association
with John and Inez Romero, important leaders in the Hispanic community.
History -John Romero was born in Santa Fe,New Mexico in 1897. He moved to Fort Collins in
1920 to work for the Colorado and Southern Railroad,where he eventually became a foreman. He
also worked in construction,as a sheep herder,and with the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1932,
he began working for the Great Western Sugar Factory. Although he had been able to complete his
schooling only through the sixth grade before he was forced to drop out and go to work,he obtained
books to educate himself at home. Mr.Romero became a notary public to help his friends with legal
papers, acted as an interpreter, and helped with the Crippled Children's Easter Seal campaign, the
Nebraskas Boys' Town, and any project that dealt with the welfare of children. John Romero died
February 2, 1975. Both Romero Park and Romero Street are named in Mr. Romero's honor.
Inez Romero lived in the Andersonville neighborhood from 1922 until her death in 2000. Born in
Las Vegas, New Mexico, Inez Rivera came to Fort Collins with her family in 1916 at the age of
eight. Her father, Frederico Rivera, worked in the beet fields. Inez's mother, Antonia, was a
curandera, a practitioner of herbal folk medicine. In 1925, Inez married John Romero and they
raised seven children, five of whom are still living. In the early years, the family earned much of
their living working in the sugar beet fields.
From 1904 to 1953,the Great Western Sugar Factory in Fort Collins produced pure granular sugar-
Colorado's"white gold." The factory purchased its sugar beets from local growers. Local growers,
in turn, needed to employ many workers to help cultivate and harvest their annual crop. In the
interest of maintaining a consistent worker population, the factory initiated the construction of
Buckingham, Alta Vista and Andersonville. Located to the northeast of Fort Collins' central core,
these small neighborhoods housed an element that was essential to the sugar boom: field laborers.
DATE: July 17, 2001 2 ITEM NUMBER: 14
Founded in 1902 and 1903,respectively,the communities of Buckingham and Andersonville were
initially populated by Volga Germans,people of German descent who had immigrated from Russia.
When Wold War I restricted the inflow of German Russian sugar beet workers,the industry had to
recruit another source of labor. They turned to the Hispanic population of southern Colorado,New
Mexico and Mexico. Gradually, Spanish-speaking peoples replaced the Volga Germans of
Buckingham and Andersonville; indeed,the adobe houses of Alta Vista,first constructed in 1923,
were planned with Hispanic workers in mind.
For both Germans and Hispanics, life in these communities was tough. Young children were sent
to the fields to weed the beets by hand. Whole families would work together,putting in long hours
under grueling conditions-and still live in poverty. The neighborhoods were the setting for Hope
Williams Sykes' controversial novel,Second Hoeing,which provided an unflinching depiction of
the conditions of the sugar beet workers in Fort Collins.
Andersonville contained thirty-six properties and was named for Peter Anderson,the first farmer to
employ migrant German Russians. When Inez Romer and her family moved there in 1922,they
were the first Hispanics in the area. Inez remembered that there were German Russians living on
the next block,but most of the area was alfalfa fields. In 1927, soon after their marriage,Inez and
John began their Andersonville adobe house. From that time on,they recalled increasing numbers
of Hispanics moving in, and more houses being constructed.
John and Inez Romero had been living in a boxcar before they began building their adobe home.
Both husband and wife were born in New Mexico,and,like many other Fort Collins Hispanics,were
familiar with adobe materials. The home was built with bricks that John Romero made from straw
and clay dug in the back yard. The simple two-room house reflected the style of adobe homes in
New Mexico. In 1935 -during the heart of the Great Depression-two more rooms of adobe brick
were added,to accommodate the growing family. In 1955,Mr. Romero built a final wood addition
with a shingle gable end. He completed the work himself,using wood that was either given to him
or scrounged from construction sites.
There are a few adobe houses still existing in Andersonville,Buckingham and Alta Vista;however,
many have been obscured with wooden siding and recent additions. Fort Collins is about as far north
as adobe houses were built, although a few exist in Wyoming. Adobe construction does not adapt
easily to the northern climate. Significantly, the Romero House, once restored, will be the only
adobe home in this area open to the public.
Following Inez Romero's death, the property was sold May 1, 2001 to Goldberg Property
Associates. Mark Goldberg intends to donate the house to the City of Fort Collins for restoration
as an interpretive house museum, to reflect the contributions of the Hispanic population in Fort
Collins. The John and Inez Romero House is a prime example of an original adobe house, made
from bricks created on the site. The property, and the neighborhood,tell the story of the sugar beet
industry in Fort Collins. The house itself,through its adobe and wood frame additions, shows the
history of the Romero family and portrays the cultural, economic and social changes within the
Hispanic community and within Fort Collins. Perhaps most significantly,the John and Inez Romero
House represents the fact that the history of a community is not written necessarily by wealth and
status. The average, hard working laboring family also significantly contributes to the chronicles
of its city.
. ORDINANCE NO. 114, 2001
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
DESIGNATING THE JOHN AND INEZ ROMERO HOUSE,425 TENTH STREET,
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, AS A LOCAL LANDMARK PURSUANT
TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE CITY CODE
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 historic landmarks within
the City; and
WHEREAS,by Resolution dated June 27,2001 the Landmark Preservation Commission(the
"Commission")has determined that the property historically known as the John and Inez Romero
House has historical importance to Fort Collins,for its association with the sugar beet industry,and
for its association with John and Inez Romero,important leaders in the Hispanic community, and
the house has additional architectural importance to the City as an exceptional example of adobe
architecture in Fort Collins; 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 owner of the property has 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 local landmark.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the buildings, structures, and land historically known as the John and Inez
Romero House, located on lands in the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado, described
as follows, to wit:
Lot 1, Block 12, Anderson Place
City of Fort Collins, County of Larimer, State of Colorado
also known as 425 Tenth Street
be, and hereby is,designated as a local landmark pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of
Fort Collins.
Section 2. That the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines for the treatment of
historic properties will serve as the standards by which alterations,additions and other changes to
the above described property,and to the buildings and structures located upon this 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 17th day of
July,A.D. 2001,and to be presented for final passage on the 21st day of August,A.D. 2001.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 21 st day of August, A.D. 2001.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Community Planning and Environmental Services
Advance Planning Department
• City of Fort Collins
RESOLUTION 4,2001
OF THE
CITY OF FORT COLLINS LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF THE
JOHN AND INEZ ROMERO HOUSE
425 TENTH STREET, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
WHEREAS,it is a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of
sites, structures, and districts of historical, architectural or geographic significance, located within
the city, are a public necessity and are required in the interest of the prosperity, civic pride and
general welfare of the people; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the City Council that the economic, cultural and aesthetic
standing of this city cannot be maintained or enhanced by disregarding the historical, architectural
and geographical heritage of the city and by ignoring the destruction or defacement of such cultural
assets; and
WHEREAS, the Romero House has architectural significance to Fort Collins, as a good example
. of adobe construction; and historical significance for its association with the sugar beet industry in
Fort Collins and for its connection with the John and Inez Romero family;
WHEREAS, the Landmark Preservation Commission has determined that the Romero House
meets the criteria of a landmark as set forth in Section 14-5 of the code and is eligible for designation
as a Fort Collins Landmark; and
WHEREAS, the owner of the property, Fort Collins Partners I, LLC, has consented to such
landmark designation.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Landmark Preservation Commission of the City of
Fort Collins as follows:
Section 1. That the Landmark Preservation Commission recommends to the Council of the City
of Fort Collins that the building known as the John and Inez Romero House, located on the lands
in the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado, described as follows. to wit:
Lot 1, Block 12. Anderson Place
City of Fort Collins, County of Larimer, State of Colorado
also known as 425 Tenth Street
• be designated as a Fort Collins Landmark in accordance with Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of
Fort Collins.
_31 North College Avenue • PO.Box 580 • Fort Collins,CO 80?22-0580 1970)221-o-,-6
F:,A,9711—"4-�,11: • TDD(970)2 4-6002 • E-mail:a plan.nin ;ntc corn
Landmark Preservation Commission
Resolution No. 4, 2001
Page 2
Section 2. That the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines for the treatment of historic
properties will serve as the standards by which alterations, additions and other changes to 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.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Landmark Preservation ommission of t
of Fort Collins held this 27th day of June, A.D. 2001.
,RerHogestad, Chairman
ATTEST:
--�� Z
L4i`�+��
Staff/Secretary
Community Planning and Environmental Services
Advance Planning Department
City of Fort Collins
LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
June 27, 2001
STAFF REPORT
REQUESTS: Fort Collins Landmark Designation of the John and Inez Romero House, 425
Tenth Street, Andersonville, Fort Collins, Colorado
STAFF CONTACT: Karen McWilliams, Preservation Planner
Sierra Standish, Intern
APPLICANT: Goldberg Property Associates, Inc.
HISTORY: Staff is pleased to present for your consideration the landmark designation of the
John and Inez Romero House,,This building is historically significant in Fort Collins because it
represents three things: one, the housing and lifestyle of workers in the sugar beet industry, major
contributors to the Fort Collins economy in the first half of the twentieth century; two, a locally
rare example of adobe architecture; and finally, John and Inez Romero and their particular
contributions to the community.
John and Inez Romero had been living in a boxcar before they began building their
Andersonville adobe home in 1927. Both husband and wife were bom in New Mexico and—like
many other Fort Collins Hispanics—were familiar with adobe materials. The home was built
with bricks that John Romero made from straw and clay dug in the back yard. The simple two-
room house reflected the style of adobe homes in New Mexico. In 1935—during the heart of the
Great Depression—two more rooms of adobe brick were added to accommodate a growing
family. In 1955 Mr. Romero built a final wood addition with a shingle gable end. He completed
the work himself, using wood that was either given to him or scrounged from construction sites.
Fort Collins is about as far north as adobe houses were built, although a few exist in Wyoming.
Adobe construction does not adapt easily to the northern climate. Significantly, the Romero
House, once restored, will be the only adobe home on its original site that will be open to the
public in this area. Romero Park provides parking and accessibility to the house.
From 1904 to 1953, the Great Western Sugar Factory produced pure granular sugar—Colorado's
"white gold." The factory purchased sugar beets from local growers. Local growers, in turn,
needed to employ many workers to help cultivate and harvest their annual crop. In the interest of
maintaining a consistent worker population, the factory initiated the construction of Buckingham,
Alta Vista and Andersonville. Located to the northeast of Fort Collins, these small
neighborhoods housed an element that was essential to Fort Collins' sugar boom: field laborers.
Founded in 1902 and 1903, respectively, the communities of Buckingham and Andersonville
were initially populated by Germans who had immigrated from Russia. The German families
281 North College Avenue • P.O.Box 580 • Fort Collins,CO 80522-0580 • (970)221-6376
FAX(970)224-6111 • TDD(970)224-6002 • E-mail:aplanning@fcgovcom
proved industrious and suited farmers' needs. However, many of these worker families
accumulated their small earnings and eventually rented or bought their own farms. When World
War I restricted the inflow of more German sugar beet workers, the industry had to recruit
another source of labor. They turned to the Hispanic population of southern Colorado, New
Mexico and Mexico. Gradually, Spanish-speaking peoples replaced the Germans of Buckingham
and Andersonville; indeed, the adobe houses of Alta Vista, first constructed in 1923, were
planned with Hispanic workers in mind.
For both Germans and Hispanics, life in these communities was tough. Children younger than
twelve were sent to the fields to weed the beets by hand. Whole families would work together—
putting in long hours under grueling conditions—and still live in poverty. The neighborhoods
were the setting for Hope William Sykes' controversial novel, Second Hoeing, which provided
an unflinching depiction of the condition of the sugar beet workers in Fort Collins.
Andersonville contained thirty-six properties and was named for Peter Anderson, the first farmer
to employ migrant German Russians.When Inez Romero and her family moved there in 1922,
they were the first Hispanics in the area. Inez remembered that there were a few German
Russians living on the next block, but most of the area was alfalfa fields. In 1927,just after their
marriage, Inez and John Romero began their adobe house. From that time on, they recalled
increasing numbers of Hispanics moving in and more houses being constructed. There are a few
adobe houses still existing in Andersonville, Buckingham and Alta Vista; however, many have
been altered with wooden siding and recent additions. The John and Inez Romero House is a
prime example of a structure that has been occupied by one family and with additions dating to
that occupancy.
John Romero was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1897 and moved to Fort Collins in 1920 to
work for the Colorado and Southern Railroad. In 1932, he began working for the Great Western
Sugar Factory. Bom in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Inez Rivera came to Fort Collins with her
family in 1916 at the age of eight. Her father,Frederico Rivera, worked in the beet fields. Inez's
mother, Antonia, was a curandera, a practitioner of herbal folk medicine. In 1925, Inez married
John Romero and they worked the beets during the spring, summer, and fall. In the off-season
many of the men, including John, went to Wyoming to work for the Union Pacific Railroad.
When John Romero purchased his lot in 1927 to build a home, Inez's brother, Louis, purchased
the lot next door. Louis built an adobe slab covered home for himself and a home for his parents,
Frederico and Antonia. This lot later became Romero Park.
John Romero worked for the Great Western Sugar Company, was a C. & S. railroad foreman,
and did construction work for many years. Although he had been able to complete his schooling
only through the sixth grade before he was forced to drop out and go to work, he obtained books
to educate himself at home. Mr. Romero became a notary public in order to help his friends with
legal papers, acted as an interpreter for nationals, helped with Crippled Children's Easter Seal
campaign, the Nebraska Boys' Town and any project that dealt with the welfare of children. John
Romero died February 2, 1975.
Mrs. Inez Romero did not work outside the home but raised seven children, five of whom are
• still living. Inez participated in an oral history interview in the 1970's. She lived in Andersonville
from 1922 until her death in 2000.
Two streets are named for pioneer families—one being Romero Street, honoring John Romero.
The park adjacent to the Romero House is named in his honor also.
The John and Inez Romero House is a prime example of an original adobe house, made from
adobe bricks created on the site, with a later adobe addition during the Depression, and a final
wood addition after World War 11. It was the home of an important pioneer family and sits on a
large lot. The Romeros occupied the house until the death of Inez in 2000 and house's sale May
1, 2001, to Goldberg Property Associates with the intention to make it an historic home. Frances
Maldonado, daughter of Inez and John, raised her family and grandchildren in the house. Frances
continued to occupy the house until its sale.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approving this request for Fort Collins Landmark
designation of the John and Inez Romero House,425 Tenth Street, Andersonville, Fort Collins,
Colorado, for its architectural and historical importance to Fort Collins.
l
�1 t
. Historic Preservation Office FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
P.O.Box 580 Date Determined"Eligible'
Fort Collins,CO 80522 Ordinance#
(303)221-6597 Application within last
12 months? Yes No -
Date Recorded
LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMAgx DESIGNATION NOMINATION FORM
Date:june 1, 2001
Please typelprint all entries
Address: 425 Tenth Street
Legal Description: .Lot 1, Block 12, Anderson Place, a Subdivision located in the NW 1/4 of the
_NW 1/4 of Section_7, Township 7 North Range 68 West of the 61h P.M..according to the
_recorded plat thereof; now in the City of rort Collins County of Larimer, State of Colorado
Property Name(Historic and/or common): The John and Inez Romero House
Nami•Ifitle: Sally Ketcham
Address: 1132 Lindenwood Drive
Phone: 221-4514 Relationship to Owner. None
U: . sYTE,U.1`l
Name: Goldberg Prooerty Associates, Inc. phone (. 03) 759-8000
Address: 1120 Lincoln Street Suite1101. Denver, CC). 80203
8O'FTPIIY� S[�YP��;OIt IS�S3G}�A'i'�GJL�
x Landmark(improvement only) _Landmark District(improvement+site/surrounding
environment)
Further explanation of boundary determination:
CAH1STPRESUnS7r DES.FW
Loel WOW&L�&nmk Deipuuon Fom
Page 1
Category: Ownership: Status: Present Use:
—Building _Public _Occupied _Commercial _Entertainment
X Structure x Private X Unoccupied _Educational _Government
_Site _Religious _Other.
—Object X Residential
_District Existing Designation:
_National Register
_State Register
Architecturat•
_Represents work of noteworthy architect
_Possesses high artistic value
X Represents a type,period,or method of construction
FFistorical:
X Associated with significant persons
X_Associated with significant event or historic trend
X Contributes to the significance of an historic district
Geographical:
_Related to or part of distinctive area
_Unique location
Further Comments: See attachment
(Add continuation sheet if needed)
fFIS'FC} :R�e;'�fl!€�OR�YI�T�O.I,y
Please attach a narrative of the historical significance of the property. Include a title search if the property is important for
its association with a significant person.
Further Comments: See atachment
C.*WTPREWW`r DUF&M
Land Womde t mdmuk Deugudon Fo m -
Page 2
Construction Date: 1927 ArchitectiBuilder. John Romero
Building Materials: Adobe brick with st uEco, with wood frame addition..
Architectural style: Southwest four mom adobe style house with Pable roof and a shingle gable wood addition
Special Features/Surroundings: large corner lot with two sheds built in the 1970's to replace earlier sheds
Adiacent to Romero Park.
(Add a continuation sheet if needed Please includeblack and white photos of each elevation of the property.)
Describe any additions to the property Two later additions to the house— a 1955 remodel, which may have included a
shed entrance at the front and exterior closet, and an enclosed porch at the rear, c 1990's Two sheds in the
Yard were built by Art Romero late 1980's Metal fencing, replacing earlier fencing, was added c 1960-1999
REFER"T �fST�I�`��OUA�ES."U)�]Z,r,[FE}H1�.4;"'T;�O•1
See attachment
(Add a continuation sheet,if needed)
The undersigned owner(s) hereby agrees that the property described herein be considered for local historic
landmark designation,pursuant to the Fort Collins Landmark Preservation Ordinance,Chapter 14 of the Code of the City
of Fort Collins.
I understand that upon designation,I or my successors will be requested to notify the Secretary of the Landmark
Preservation Commission at the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation Office prior to the occurrence of any of the
following:
1. Preparation of plans for reconstruction or alteration of the exterior of the improvements on the property,or,
2. Preparation of plans for construction of,addition to or demolition of improvements on the property.
3. I finTher understand that if I apply for a building permit for any one of the following:
• a. Alteration or reconstruction of or addition to the exterior of any improvement which constitutes all or
C:VIISTPRFS Vrr DES.FRM
taat truw&L�dmu4 Da vud=Facet
Page 3
part of a landmark structure or landmark district;
b. Demolition or relocation of any improvement which constitutes all or part of a landmark structure or
landmark district;
c. Construction or erection of or addition to any improvement upon any land included in a landmark
district;
d. Or if I proceed with any work not requiring a building permit as art forth in Section 14-47-,
the Building Inspector and the Landmark Preservation Commission shall be under the time constraints and other
requirements as outlined in Chapter 14,Article III of the Code of the City of Fort Collins.
DATED this 1of day ofOwner
Name(pl print)
S .45
—Property owner wishes to withhold consent to local historic designation.
State of �roo'� )
)ss.
County of )OiroY/ )
Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of
by
Witness my hand and official seal. My commission expues
Notary Public
CANISTPRESUMT DES.FRM
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Page 4
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HISTORICAL WFORMA T TON
John Romero was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1897 and moved to Fort Collins in 1920 to
work for the Colorado and Southern Railroad In W2, he began working for the Great Westera
Sugar Factory. Inez Rivera Romero's family was among the first Hispanic residents of Forr
Collins. Inez Rivera was born in Las Vegas,New Viexico, came to Fort Collins with her.family in
1916 at age S. Her father, Frederica Rivera worked in the,beet fields. Inez' mother,Antonia, was a
curandera, a practitioner of folk medicine using herbs. In. I925, Inez married.Tofin. Romero. and
during the spring, summer and fall they worked beets, ra- the off-season, many of die men,
including John, went to Wyoming to work for the Union Pacific Railroad When John-his lot in 1927 to build a home. Inez' brother, Louis. purchased the let next to the
Romero lot to build an adobe, slab covered home for himself and a home for his parents, Frederica
and Antonia. This lot later became Romera Park.
John Romero worked for the Great Western Sugar Company, was a C.& S. railroad foreman, and-
did construction work for many years. Although he had been able to complete his schooling only
through the sixth grade before he was forced to drop out and go to work, he obtained hooks_ to
educate himself at home. Mr. Romero became a notary public in order to help his friends. with.Tegal
papers,acted as interpreter for nationals,helped with Crippled Children's Faster Seal campaiga, the
Nebraska Boys' Town and any project that dealt with the welfare of children. John Romero died
February 2, 1975.
Mrs. Romero did not work outside the home but raised seven children,five of whom still are living.
Inez lived in Anderuonvilie from 1922 until her death in 2000.
Two streets in Andersonville are named for pioneer families—one being Romero Street, honoring
John Romero. The park adjacent to the Romero Home is named in his honor also.
The John and Inez Romero House is a prime example of ar.original adobe house, made from adobe
bricks created on the site, with a later adobe addition during the Depression, and a final wood
addition after World War IT. it was the home of an important pioneer family and sits on.a large tot,
next to Romero Park. The house was built by John Romero and has been occupied by the Romero
family, until the death of Inez Romero in 2000, and its sale May 1. 2001. to Goldberg Property
Associates with the intention to make it an historic home. Frances Maldonado, dau_hter of Inez
and Join, raised her family and grandchildren in the house. Frances continued to oecuov the
house. after the death of her mother, until its sale.
Fort Collins is about as far north as adobe houses were built, although a few exist in Wyoming.
Adobe consmuction did not adapt easily to the northern climate. Significantly, once restored it may
be the only adobe home on its original site that will be open to the public in this area. Romero Park
provides parking and accessibility to the house.
SiGNIFiCANCE:
Architectural:
The Romero's house at 425 Tenth was begun, according to Mrs. Romero's oral history interview,
in 1927 when the Romeros, who were newly married and living. in a box car given_them by tht.
railroad, constructed an adobe house in Andersonville in t927_ The construction material"s.were
familiar to people, who had wine-to work for the Great Western Sugar Beet Factory from the
Southwest, and affordable.
The home was built with adobe bricks Romero made from straw and clay dug in the back yard. The
simple two room house reflected the adobe homes of New Mexico. A friend from New .Mexico,
more familiar with making the sun-dried bricks and building with them, .helped with the
construction. In 1935 during the heart of the Great Depression two more rooms of adobe brick
were added to accommodate a growing family. In 1955, a final wood addition with shingle gable
end was built by Mr. Romero, who did the worst himself using wood he was given or scrounged
from construction sites.
Historical:
The growth of Fort Collins was in large part due to the Great Western Sugar Factory, which
processed the raw beets grown in the area. Buckingham, Alta Vista and Andersonville are three
small communities located in northeast Fort Collins, just across the Poudre River from the Old
Town Fort Collins Historic District. All three communities developed as a direct result of the Great
Western Sugar Factory, located to the northeast of Buckingham and to the west of Andersonvilie.
in his History of Lorimer County, 1911, Ansel Watrous states that "the most notable event in the
history of Fort Collins in a material way, since the completion of the Colorado Central Railroad in
1377, was the building of the sugar beet factory in 1903." The factory produced pure granular
sugar--Colorado's "white gold"--from 1904-1953.
The two neighborhoods of Buckingham and Andersonville were established in 1902 and 1903 as
homes for German workers, who immigrated from the Volga region of Russia to work the sugar
beet fields. Life was very hard. Children, younger than 12, were sent to the fields to weed the beets
by hand. One woman said that after working all day in the fields, she went home to-milk 14 cows,
and if her stepmother did not feel like it, cook supper for her siblings. The next was like the
previous. Her pay was five cents, the rest of her wages going to help support the family. The
neighborhoods were the setting for Hope Williams Sykes' controversial novel, Second Hoeing,
which provided an unflinching depiction of the condition of sugar beet workers in Fort Collins.
Andersonville contained 35 properties and was named for Peter Anderson, who was the first to
employ migrant German Russian laborers on his farm. Anderson sold several acres of his land to
the Sugar Company for construction of worker housing. Like Buckingham, the early residents of
the neighborhood were German Russians: however, Aadersonville did not develop as rapidly as
Buckingham. Mrs. Charles Martinez, in an oral history interview, recalled family stones of there
being only a few houses in Andersonville in 1903. When World War I came and all European
immigration was cut off, the sugar beet industry had to recruit another source of labor. The obvious
choice was people from southern Colorado. New Mexico and Mexico, who had already proven
themselves to be reliable, hard workers. In 1923, Alta Vista, north of the factor-v, was built for these
sugar beet workers. The homes were built of adobe similar to ones in the Southwest, and Alta Vista
was called the "Spanish Colony." Since the 1930's all three neighborhoods have been the center
of Fort Collins' Hispanic community. The communities are distinctive, and many of the residents
in these areas have lived here for three and four generations.
When Inez Rivera Romero and her family moved to Andersonville in 1922, they were the first
Hispanics in the area. Inez recalled that there were a few German Russians living on the next block,
but most the area was alfalfa fields. In 1927 just after their marriage, the Romeros began their
adobe house. From that time on, they recalled increasing numbers of Hispanics moving in-and-
more houses being constructed. There are a few adobe houses still existing in Andersonvilie,
Buckingham and Alta Vista; however, many have been altered with wood siding and recent
additions. The John and Inez Romero house is a prime example of a structure that has been
occupied by one family and with additions dating to that occupancy.
Because of the significance of the sugar beet industry to the development of Fort Collins, the house
represents the cultural and economic impact of the Is4exican-American community in Fort Collins
history. The house additions represent the absorption of Hispanic people into northern Colorado-
life styles, survival during the Great Depression and World War II, and the vibrant changes that
took place, after the war.The house also represents the fact that the history of a community is not
written necessarily by wealth and status. The average, hard working laborer also contributes to the
chronicles of his city.
REFERENCE LIST OR SOURCES OF UVFORMATION
+� Banks:
Watrous, Ansel, A HWory of Larimer Couniv, 1911.
Research. Papers and Miscellaneous:
Application for Colorado State Historic Grant National Register and Local Landmark
Designations for Buckingham, Andersonviile and Alta Visa, prepared by Karen McWilliams,
Historic Preservation Planner, City of Fort Collins Advance Planning Department and Joan
Mangle.
"Architecture and History of Buckingham. Alta Vista, and Andersonville Neighborhoods, Fort
Collins Neighborhood History Project," prepared by Community Services Collaborative,
Boulder, Colorado, December 1983.
Press Release,Thursday May 17,2001, Amigos de la Casa Romero.
Newspaper Articles:
"Families honored" by Charlene Tmsner, Review,April 10, 1975.
"House might become monument to Hispanic heritage," David Persons, Coloradoan,May 17,
2001.
Interviews:
Interviews with Frances Maldonado and Toni Samuel,daughters of John and Inez Romero, April,
2001 and May 10 and = 2001.Amigos de la Casa Romero/Friends of the Romero House.
Oral History Interview, Inez Romero(,Mrs. John), Local History Section, Fort Collins Library.
• Photographs:
Historic Photographs dating 1925-1998 in possession of Frances Maldonado and family
members.
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Property Record Information Page 2 of 3
r, 4
Attribute - Attribute Description
Heat - Natural Gas
Improvements - Ailey
Improvements - Gravel Streets
Improvements - Street Lights
Topography/Shape - Corner
Topography/Shape - Level
Utilities - Electricity
Water - Public
Building Improvements
Building ID: 001 Heat None Total SF: 1248
Property Type: Residential Root Type: Gable Condo SF: ,-
Built As: Ranch Roof Cover: Composition Shingle Basement SF:
Year Built: 1920 Foundation: Concrete Basement Finished SF:
Year Remodeled: 1949 Rooms: 4 Carport SF:
Quality: Low Bedrooms: 2 Garage SF:
Condition: Average Baths: 1.00 Balcony SF:
class Description: Wood Frame Units: 1.00 Porch SF: 342
Exterior: Frame Siding Unit Type: Sprinkler SF: .00
Interior: Plaster Stories: 1.00 Perimeter: 0
Building Detail Type and Description
Detail Type Detail Description Units
Fixture Bathtub Standard _. I - -
Fixture Sink Bathroom I
Fixture Sink Standard I
Fixture Toilet I
Fixture Water Heater I
Porch Open Slab 114
Porch Solid Wall 114
Porch Wood Roof 114
Larimer County makes no claims
to the accuracy of Yahoo Maps
For questions about this information, Contact the Assessor's office at (970) 498-7050.
Back to Search Results A Back to Property Records Inquiry
i
Am Larimer County Colorado
Home 1seivicea 1 Deo-nme I Ugma I Hot Tonics I E-J2 I $.ems'
I
Copyright 0 2000 Latimer County Government.All rights reserved.
200 W.Oak Street Fort Collins,CO 80521,970498-7000
wgbmz5l.L@-c4,JariIDCr,co us
HC{ITN V 961)75147 10/16/96 15:4-4:00 At YA0Ks3 _ 1 FINK -
M 4OURNHKMDi•:H MR<:OkURMr I.A41M1tk COUNTY CO $6.00
eTATP. UOf: IF.M -
11.00
-CORRECTED QUITCLAIM DEED - 'l
THIS DEED.Madrthi. 5cis I'm Of Oc tober .1996 ,
between
Inez ROlnero
SLATE DUCIIMENIART FEL
ar the •Cmllnrof Larimer ad
EXEmeI
St""Colonda Mantagandher Children, Art L. Romero,
George u, Romero, France• D. Muntz,
Antoinette Samuel, and Juliet Chavez
Nhrsxlclaladdnsla 425 loth Street
Fort Collins
IIaim Cnuntya Lartmer and Stme or Colood,anm".
;I WITNESSETH.That the ramw,fit,and,.annaidc pion of thew.o! Teu. (SIO,OO)
I; the recriss and wmcmncy of which is here DOLLARS
6y QUITCLAIM
ledMd,has nmlxd,released.sud and OUITCU4M ED.and 6y these
...cY dire+pinta. , a P A i and UUll AN,niAi umn the yamen,thew hints,weeesann and.,sip,rorr er.Itol in
Irnanq in smmmrw,Alrl m pnm Icnaticy all thr nV11.thk,tmeRat,claim and demasid which the Mantot has m and In the
,: rcal Proflerty,tlhtrthcr wish imaroKnlenN,if an,instate.lyint and hnnl in the Coital, I
Of La rimer and State NCdarado,dexnhrd a follows:
i
Lot I,Olock 12, Anderson Place, A subdivision located A
In the NV , of NH la Of Section 7, rostnShip 7 North, Range 68 Hest }RM
of the 6th P.M., According to the recorded plat thereof: no, in the
m
City Of Fort Collins, Colorado.
mGrantor Specifically reserves a Lea Sho1d Interest for her life and the If It
Of her daughter. Frances 0. Nun ft. so long ss either she or her laugh[er i o reside presonally In said premises and maintain sa ld premf5es In reasonable
e
[nndition. pay All taxes, assessments, u[tlitie9, and any other cnpcn:ds �I
o p es and residency there fn,
4
Jv *This deed corrects the description Of lots contained in the Quitclaim deed II
11 recorded 06/19/96, Reception a 96043894, In Larimer County.
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p dYs kmrwn by preset aM number u:425 10 th Street
c axsaN i xheduk,N panel n.mher
.�, ID IIAVE AND rD I IUTA the ume,IwI er wnh dl and sin ular the a.� l mluncnances and Pririleacs thrre9nb hebnp
e mil rY m aphis•the eanyo amleruininM1 and all the"Me.nVlt.title,intent acid claim whAty,Y,,arlhe art,n.,either
m law,N alwry,hl the ,nl
,•, y nrnMr use.hcneht and Ithm(a!the Many".I et'hem and uahle o sil w.The sivular
numhcr rhdl,"nark the plant.the Pbral the uvular,and the use Many hinder shall ire anPlkahk In all Mnden.
°{ P IN WI FNI'_[C WIfFRLDI',1'hr
Rnmlr has esetvleJ this deed on the lair xl fbnh ahnm.
c SrAll I11 1 M( MAIN),
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Is,,fine ImeYun(imtsvmrm waY ult—ledited W nc me his � •Is
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REVIEW April 10, 1975 p
y
jR Families honored -
By Charlene Tresner
l
History Writer
1
Two pioneer families of'.
Andersonville have been
hondred, with their names
" replacing the streets"A"and
"C.""A"Street in the future
will be known as Romero
Street,honoring the late John
Romero of 425 loth St. "C"
Street will be called Trujillo
Street for Ben Trujillo of 517 ;y
loth St.
"B"Street has been named
San Cristo, which is "not a
family name — just a nice ,
sounding name," according
to Edward Gavaldon who pol-
led the people of Anderson. ^ -
ville as to their choice of -
names. Nominations were .
�j made by the people of Ander- r
sonville, each household a1- '
" I lowed oiie vote. _
John Romero's wife Inez -.
d.
cei:.domper.br wYsimMNM and her brother Joe G. Riv-
era, who were born.in Las• 3
Mrs. John B. Romero of 425 Romero (formerly 10th) Vegas; N.M.;have lived in
Street and her brother were the first Mexican-American Andersonville since 1922, ..,r
Residents of Andersonville when they moved there in making them the,longest in !
1922 from New Mexico. She has lived in the house her residence in that area. ,
., husband in picture at right)built since 7927. Ml'• Romero; who died at, :John Romero
( p 0 ) the age of 77 on Feb. 2, was until he became ill u Thro
born in Santa Fe, N.M. The out his.lifetime he had held •.:
recommendation for re
naming the streets being pre- jobs'of responsibility,such as
sented to city council in C.&S.'railroad foreman;he S '
January,Mr.Romero was in. worked for Great Western..';`i
formed of the honor before Sugar Co. and did construc
his death."This made him tion work for many years` -
very proud,"said his daugh- with Ben Olds- -
ter,Mrs.Frances Muniz,who , "At one time he was work.
lives next door to Mrs. Rom- ing three jobs,in order to
era. At their meeting two make ends meets;'says Mrs.
days after Mr. Romero's Muniz;After completing the
death, city council legally sixth grade he was forced to.
declared the street's name drop out of school and go to
change. work, but he obtained books
Mr. Gavaldon's remark to educate himself at home.'
that John Romero "was a He was a member of Holy
beautiful person" was evi. Family Catholic Church:'
denced by these facts: he be. When the Romeros were -
came a notary public in order married in 1925,he built their
to help his friends with legal comfortable homi-of adobe - _-
papers; acted as interpreter . bricks'made,from:mixing
for nationals; helped with straw with clay-dug in the -
Crippled Children's Easter yard. Five of their.seven
Seal campaign;the Nab raska .�dren are living;Arthur,..
Boys' Town and any. other:'maniz Chaver, 'abd Frances-
Muniz era F,orG llinsXpsr
-. project that dealt.., witk�hr•,- -.• -�—
welfare of children. - ""z dents;•.and shave• 18 T=a.
Firmly believing in work-. grandchildren:' J\
ing,Mr.Romero refused wel-'
fare and worked at
Giuseppe's washing dishes
House miht become'g nt to
hIbis ac heritage
mod
,
By DAVID PERSONS - Romero St., on the south, 1,,y��t
oaviditfs s@col radoan.com west corner of Romero and lit C$t�? '•1~j 'f - - HOUSING `
A group of local resi- loth streets in the Ander •"' HISTORY- '
dents is workingto create a sonville subdivision , Frances Romero-
pioneer To make a donation_ Maldonado
pioneer house museum fo- Aragon' group is now , fgti.�:e restoration and W
i cusing on the contribu- trying to raise funds to re- wplpi'rslon of the sterids In front of .
lions of Hispanics in the store it. i ,Romero home into a the-home she
development of Fort "We're really excited, mysqum,call Betty �i� Ntid her six
Collins. about this,' Aragon,said- iArabon.at 416-9376&K, si Inp grew up
Betty Aragon,a member "It's been a long time com- loep Mangle at 493 d In,The house,
of Amigos de Is Casa ing for the Hispanic Fom= tiuig In 1927,6Romero/Friends of the munity. Our Hispamc•chil- expected to be ,
Romero House, said dren need smnethmp to made Into A
Wednesday that her .cause there were so many Hispanic
y group feel proud about'td kltoW
It acquired the adobe. 1(isppant�g wq;gifrtippltaq 'iaO�l NUJ "f 1�h1 historical
home built by the John in'developiegF6Fh p)lins �ri gM��Bi�4,' is museum.
Romero family in 192Z: It really helps to, a gap pant 46i -' u geese Ofr
The house is at 425 (in the city's history) be Ss �Ajtpage B4 c The Coloradwn
lle Coloradoan, Thursday, May 17, 2001, www.coloradoan.com -
Museum
Continued from Page B1 designation. "(Goldberg) told us he want- matching funds deed to'be ac-
respect and pride." "Sally had the vision, the ed to put up the money to ac- quired in the n5xt couple of
The idea for the museum dream,"Aragon said. quire it because he wanted to months so the historical grant
came a year ago when city offi- The group then found out help us for supporting his proj- application can bej,submitted in
cials were considering a truck about the Romero house, home ect, Aragon said. "He said he late September,sheLs��aid_
bypass near some of the city's to four generations of the family. was extremely grateful for all If the group gets me grant,the
older Hispanic neighborhoods, To purchase the Romero the work we did t0 get Wal-Mart house will be turned aver to the
Aragon said. home,however,tookpome help. approved?' Poudre Landmarks Foundation,
"We were trying to figure out Mark Goldberg, president of Joan Mangle, another mein- which will in turn gibe it to the
how do we protect our neigh- Goldberg Property Associates of ber of the steering committee, city. The city will their Jease it
borhoods from something like Denver and developer of the Su- said the next step is to acquire back to PLF for a small foe tube i
this happening and decided to per Wal-Mart project nearby, about$50,000 in matching funds run as'a museum by the4 organ-j
work to get a historical design• provided that help by purchas-` to leverage a state historical zation-
tion,"Aragon said. ing the Romero home from grant to restore and stabilize the Mangle hopes by the;end of!
From that thought came a Frances Romero Maldonado for Romero home. summer to have an estimate off
suggestion by Sally Ketchum— $90,000.. It will likely cost between the amount needed tq :restore!
a Friends steering committee Maldonado, a daughter of $100,000 and$200,000to�totally the house. She said sqe. hopes':
member — to find an adobe John and Inez Romero, lived in restore the home and bring it up the museum'will be opgn to the
house that could get a historical the home until January. to code, Mangle said. The public in 2002,
MUSEUM early pioneers. The con-
Fort
.Coalnc Fermp—Mq 31,2081 3 .VW tcDq ', from page 3
_ Mom., zorscllcom � _mittee plans to bring in
nM ed of adobe bricks,built on Majestic stove, like the
OSOOLr TO 'COIOC�OO site during the off-season. used by the early apnea
The. Romero-home was lions of the Rom a
originally constructed with outhouse and wast. -esi:
HlSpaIIIC C011tl'ibllt1O11S TO C11V bricks Romem made him- and the music and rad
self. The original structure programs popular durir
y Angeline'Grenz Romero-Maldonado ` for moved t&Fort Collins from was two rooms made of the 1930s.
)rum Correspondent -s90,000. Romero- New Mexico in_1920 to adobe.Several wood-frame Aragon expects the dona
Maldonado was raised in work for the Great Western morns were added on dur- ed home will come undt
The donation of an adobe . the home and her ctiild600d Sugar Factory--;From the ing the 1950s.The home,at the oversight of the Poudr
ome constructed in 1927 'memories will be used in eady'1900s -to the 19408, 425Tenth Stre will give Landmarks Foundation, t
ray lead to the.establish- Fort Collins' economy was et,.. visitors a glimpse into the given to the city and the
cent of a Hispanic muse- based on sugar farming and lives of the original leased back to the Poudr
in in the Andersonville beet growing. ,�'». Hispanic pioneers in Fort Landmarks Foundation fc
abdivision. The museum During.:-World War 1, 7 Collins. a minimal amount. Th
ould showcase the contri- .t European immigration was The Friends of the Friends are currently see!
)utions the Hispanic popu cut off.The Grea Westem Romero House plan to . ing designation as a histor
ation Las made to Fort Sugar Company.•,99k ally restore the home to the cal landmark. The Frienc
'ollins during its formative sought workers from south- period between 1927 to must now raise approx:
e ern Coforado No*Mexico 1940.`Ibis is a positive for mately $50,000 to match
The home of four genera- and Mexico-to'keeg-up.,; the Hispanic neighbor- state historical society grar
ions of the Romero family operations.- 'Rather 'than hoods and a great learning for rehabilitation of th
vac sold to developer Mark. using seasonal workers, experience for children. It Romero house.
joldberg, owner of the Great Western built a will finally give recogni- The next step, accordin
Val-mart Superstore, with "Spanish Colony" miz the' . tion to the contributions to Aragon, is to begin th
ie agreement that it be 1920s to keep workers set ' Hispanics have made to fundraising 'process. Th
.onated for use as.: a tled in the area Great Fort Collins," said Betty Friends committee plans e
rspanic museum. Frances Romero-" Western planned to provide I Aragon, a member of the work with Goldberg to he.
,oldberg's desire was to Maldonado, Betty Aragon each worker a home of Lis _ Friend's steering commit- raise the money. Thong
onate the home as althank and Joan Mangle, museum °w° � pr°rmse,that I tee' the project is not slated t
on" to those in the steering committemembers. the worker would stay'foi r Plans for the. Hispanic be finished until s»^zm
.ndersonville, Alta Vista five years. ;The atea `museum include guided 2002, the group wi ik
nd Buckingham neighbor- the restoration. '. became known as Alta tours and agricultural edu- to hold an open h�_.e i
oods that have worked in The Romero home is of Vista and the majority of cation,as well as a place to July.They are also lookin
upport. of Wal-mart. adobe construction, built hold celebrations and per- to the community for suF
ioldberg ,purchased the almost 75_ years ago' by formances, said Aragon. port in creating and fundin
ome•-=fromz--Frances— Joha--Romero: ,:Romero- ---SW ; Joan-Mangle,chairman for the museum.Interestedpe:
MOSEDI6tp5§9'7'' Friends, said the museum sons can contact Aragon
will serve as a window 416-9376 or Joan Mang:
into the lifestyle of the at 493-8424.
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