USFS Logo Administering the National Forests of Colorado:
An Assessment of the Architectural and Cultural Significance of Historical Administrative Properties
NPS Logo

INVENTORY AND RESULTS OF EVALUATION
Routt National Forest

The Routt National Forest, initially created by President Theodore Roosevelt as the Park Range Forest Reserve in 1905, was established to manage range lands and for watershed protection for stockmen and farmers using this area. In 1908 the name Routt replaced Park Range, in honor of the first elected governor of the State. Headquarters for the Reserve was in Kremmling until 1907 when it was moved to Steamboat Springs, the same year the Reserve was substantially enlarged. Over 100,000 acres of agricultural lands were eliminated from the Reserve in 1910 by proclamation of President Taft. By 1948 the Forest totaled over a million acres.

Lumbermen were the least supportive of the Reserve. Demand from both local communities and the railroads made illegal timber cutting worth the risk. Cattle were first grazed on the Reserve under permit in 1906. At that time no sheep grazing was permitted south of the Wyoming State line. By 1907 sheep men were being permitted grazing privileges in the high country on the Routt, mostly because cattlemen didn't use that portion of the forest. By the late 1920s fifty percent of the sheep grazing on the Routt were from Colorado. Many of the original homesteads failed during the early 1930s and were bought by sheep grazers.

During the summer of 1906, Paul Reddington from Washington headquarters, spent a summer on the Forest. Among several recommendations made in a report of his observations, he noted that more ranger station construction was needed for adequate administration of the Forest. At least a dozen ranger and guard stations were built between 1906 and 1915, nearly equal to the number of administrative buildings constructed during the CCC period.

Table 16 lists the administrative sites evaluated in the Forest and Figure 114 shows the relative location of these sites.

Table 16. Summary of Site Recommendations for Routt National Forest.

Site Name Const. Date Site No. Field Eligibility Recommendations
California Park Guard (Ranger) Station 1932-1954 5RT668 not significant under A or C
Grizzley Creek Guard Station 1920 5JA544 # officially eligible (1983)
Hahn's Peak District Office 1939 5RT619 * not eligible (1989)
Hahn's Peak Fire Lookout 1942 5RT1179 significant under A, C
Hog Park Guard Station 1910-1925 5JA561 officially eligible (1992)
Lynx Pass Guard Station 1934 5RT398 * officially not eligible (1992)
Mad Creek Ranger Station 1907-1979 5RT1177 # significant under A, B and C
Michigan River Guard Station 1938-1940 5JA942 # significant under A, C
Middle Park (Kremmling) Ranger Station 1914-1937 5GA1891 not significant under A or C
North Park Ranger District Office 1935-1936 5JA768 * officially eligible (1991)
North Park Ranger District Ranger's Res. 1936 5JA767 * officially eligible (1991)
Parkview Lookout 1915-1916 5GA1353 significant under A, C
Ptarmigan Ranch 1960s 5GA1892 not significant under A or C
Pyramid Guard Station (Ranger Station) 1934-1936 5RB2882 significant under A, C
Seedhouse Campground Toilet 1935 5RT462 officially eligible (1985)
Seedhouse Guard Station 1934-1936 5RT1178 not significant under A or C
Steamboat Springs Ranger's Residence 1936 5RT778 * officially not eligible
Steamboat Springs Site II 1950s 5RT1180 not significant under A or C
Summit Creek Guard Station 1912 5RT431 not significant under A or C†

* Not examined as part of this project. Status determination by State of Colorado.

# Individual building(s) recommended as eligible. Property as a whole is not recommended as eligible.

† 1992 survey recommended eligibility under A and C, State of Colorado concurred; now re-recommended not significant in this study.


Figure 114. Figure 97. Sites Evaluated in the Routt National Forest. GS=Guard Station; LO=Fire Lookout. (click on image for a PDF version)



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 115
California Park G.S. with Prefab
Sections Under Tarps for Remodeling
Routt National Forest files
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Photo by J.L. Sundberg, 1954
5RT668 California Park Guard (Ranger) Station
Bears Ears Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Crewhouse35111932-38UnknownBungalow
(Addition)
1954John SundbergCCC Temporary
Barn35051941UnknownVernacular

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5RT668 is not significant under Criteria A or C. Though associated with the Routt and White River National Forests, this site is not particularly distinctive in its association, and is not typical of a pre-CCC-era site layout. Unsympathetic additions have obscured the crewhouse, and the barn is undistinguished in its design and construction.

Architectural Plans. One room frame house (A 3; C4142), California Park Guard Station Improvement Map, (F5368).



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 116
Grizzley Creek Guard Station
View to the Southwest
Roll 12, Neg. 4
July 1993
5JA544 Grizzley Creek Guard Station
North Park Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
DwellingN/A1920George McClanahanPioneer

Statement of Significance. Site 5JA544 was officially determined significant under Criterion A in 1983. It is recommended that the dwelling at site 5JA544 is also significant under Criterion C. The building, with rare full dovetail notching, is a well-preserved and highly crafted example of ranger-built, pre-design-era Forest Service architecture, which was highly reflective of the pioneer construction techniques of its builders. The site, however, has lost its log barn, which is essential to a ranger station's integrity. A more intact pre-design-era site can be seen at Hog Park (5JA561).

Architectural Plans. Grizzley Creek Guard Station Improvement Plan (C5366).



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 117
Hahn's Peak Fire Lookout
View to the Northwest
Roll 9 Neg. 17
July 1993
5RT1179 Hahn's Peak Fire Lookout
Hahn's Peak Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
LookoutN/A1942CCCPioneer

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5RT1179 is significant under Criteria A and C. The Lookout was utilized by the USFS for fire suppression and is representative of the Forest Service's early mission of protection and conservation. It is architecturally representative of the era when many lookouts like Hahn's Peak were rebuilt by the CCC. It is the best of two known extant cupola/cabin type lookouts remaining in Colorado's National Forests, and the only one on the Routt.

Architectural Plans. Hahn's Peak Lookout Improvement Map (D7452), 1993 NPS Field Sketch.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 118
Hog Park Guard Station
View to the South
Roll 15, Neg. 36
July 1993
5JA561 Hog Park Guard Station
North Park Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Log HouseN/A1910-12UnknownPioneer
Store HouseN/A1910-12UnknownPioneer
ToiletN/Aca. 1925UnknownPioneer

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5JA561 is significant under Criteria A and C. It is the oldest standing station on the Routt National Forest. The site is intact and highly representative of a pre-design era ranger station. Its buildings are well preserved and reflective of the pioneer construction techniques of its builders.

Architectural Plans. Hog Park Guard Station Plot Plans (D5371), 1991 Field Sketches, Routt National Forest.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 119
South Michigan (River)
Ranger Station
Routt National Forest files
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Photo # 365825, taken July 1938
5JA942 Michigan River Guard Station
North Park Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Dwelling35241914UnknownPioneer
(Addition)
1937ERARustic

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that the dwelling at site 5JA942 is significant under Criteria A and C. It is associated with the development of the Routt National Forest. It is also architecturally significant as a well preserved example of both pre-design era Forest Service construction, which was highly reflective of pioneer traditions, and the more refined construction techniques off the CCC era. The site, however, has lost its log barn, toilet and oil shed, which were an integral part of this ranger station's integrity.

Architectural Plans. Michigan Creek Dwelling (F6368). Michigan Creek Guard Station Improvement Plan (C5366).



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 120
Mad Creek Guard Station
View to the North
USFS R2 Files
Roll 9, Neg. 9
July 1993
5RT1177 Mad Creek Guard Station
Hahn's Peak Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Barn3513ca. 1907Js. RatliffPioneer
Bunkhouse35111960-79UnknownModern

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that the barn at site 5RT1177 is significant under Criteria A and C. It was probably built and owned by James H. Ratliff, the first Routt Forest Supervisor. It is associated with the development of the Routt National Forest and is a unique example of a two-story pre-design era Forest Service barn that contains both log and frame construction.

Architectural Plans. 1985 Field Sketches, Routt National Forest.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 121
Kremmling Ranger Station
From the Southwest Side
USFS R2 Files
Temporary # 1874
December 1940
5GA1891 Middle Park (Kremmling) Ranger Station
Middle Park Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Office35511938-40UnknownRustic

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5GA1891 is not significant under Criteria A or C. Though associated with the development of the Arapaho and Routt National Forests extensive new construction has significantly altered the integrity of design, feeling, and materials of both site and buildings. The site is no longer representative of a CCC-era ranger station. Better examples exist in Colorado.

Architectural Plans. Kremmling Dwelling (F6958), Crested Butte Combination Building (F6604), Tensleep Barn/Garage (F5491), Kremmling Site Development Plan.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 122
Parkview Fire Lookout
View to the North
Roll 13, Neg. 7
July 1993
5GA1353 Parkview Fire Lookout
North Park Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
LookoutN/A1915-16UnknownPioneer

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5GA1353 is significant under Criteria A and C. The Lookout was utilized by the USFS for fire suppression and is representative of the Forest Service's early mission of protection and conservation, It is architecturally representative of the era when construction of lookouts was executed primarily by rangers without standardized designs, and built predominantly of materials available on site. It is only known extant observation cabin type lookout remaining in Colorado's National Forests.

Architectural Plans. 1993 NPS Field Sketch.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 123
Ptarmigan Ranch Lodge
View to the Southwest
Roll 15, Neg. 4
July 1993
5GA1892 Ptarmigan Ranch
Middle Park Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Lodge35471960sMr. LeonardModern Ranch
Cabin35481960sCook family?None
Cabin35491960sCook family?None
Cabin35501960sCook family?None
GarageN/A1960sAnderson?None
StableN/A1960sAnderson?None

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5GA1892 is not significant under Criteria A or C. The site was acquired by the Forest Service in 1978. Forest Service use of the site as a crew quarters and animal pasture is not significant to the development and administration of the Routt National Forest. The vernacular buildings are not distinctive in their type, period, or method of construction; they have lost integrity of association.

Architectural Plans. Ptarmigan Ranch Improvements Site Plan.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 124
Pyramid Guard Station Dwelling
View to the South
Roll 11, Neg. 3
July 1993
5RB2882 Pyramid Guard Station (Ranger Station)
Yampa Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Dwelling35281934CCC F-38-CRustic
Office35011934-35CCC F-38-CRustic
Barn35341935CCC F-38-CRustic
Blacksmith Shop35691936CCC F-38-CRustic

Statement of Significance. Site 5RB2882 was officially determined eligible under Criteria A and C in 1992. The site is associated with the development and administration of the White River and Routt National Forests, and with the CCC. The station's buildings represent the evolution of Forest Service architectural design and evolution from a Bungalow Style to a Rustic Style. The buildings have some of the best CCC construction seen in Colorado's Forest Service administrative design.

Architectural Plans. Pyramid Ranger Station Dwelling Plan, Pyramid Guard Station Site Improvement Plan (E5855).



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 125
Seedhouse Campground Toilet
View to the Northeast
Roll 12, Neg. 23
July 1993
5RT462 Seedhouse Campground Toilet
Hahn's Peak Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Toilet3513ca. 1935CCCRustic

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5RN462 is significant under Criteria A and C. It is the last known four-hole log toilet of its kind of the Routt National Forest, and is representative of the role the CCC played in the recreational development of Colorado's National Forests. It retains its integrity despite replacement of some logs.

Architectural Plans. 1985 Field Sketches, Routt National Forest.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 126
Seedhouse Ranger Station
used for summer quarters
Routt National Forest Files
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Photo # 345801, Summer 1936
5RT1178 Seedhouse Guard Station
Hahn's Peak Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Barn/Garage35131936UnknownBungalow
Dwelling35201934UnknownBungalow

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5RT1178 is not significant under Criteria A or C. Though the site contains enough elements to be recognizable as a pre-CCC or early CCC-era administrative site, many better examples exist in Colorado.

Architectural Plans. Seedhouse Garage and Barn (F4817). Dwelling (A-2). Seedhouse Site Survey Plat.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 127
Storage Garage 3509
View to the Southeast
BW Roll 12, Neg. 36
7/26/1993
5RT1180 Steamboat Springs II
Hahn's Peak Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Storage Garage35091950sUnknownCCC Temporary

Statement of Significance. It is recommended that site 5RT1180 is not significant under Criteria A or C. The site has few of the characteristics of a Region 2 administrative site, and the storage garage does not retain integrity of location, design or association as a CCC temporary building.

Architectural Plans, Routt National Forest Improvement Map Steamboat Springs, Site No, 2.



SITE SUMMARY
Figure 128
The Month of Birds and Roses
at Summit Creek Ranger Station
Routt National Forest files
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Photo taken in about 1915
5RT431 Summit Creek Guard Station
Hahn's Peak Ranger District
Routt National Forest
Building NameBldg. No.DateBuilderStyle
Dwelling3521ca. 1912UnknownPioneer
Garage3568ca. 1921UnknownPioneer

Statement of Significance. Site 5RT431 was officially determined eligible under Criteria A and C in 1992. It has been re-evaluated as non-significant due to modifications and the documented existence of several more representative examples of pre-design era administrative sites in Colorado.

Architectural Plans. Summit Creek Guard Station Improvement Map, 1993 NPS Field Sketch.



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