Harris Park School

a.k.a. Westminster Grade School;DeSpain,Pleasant,Sr.,Schoolhouse an

7200 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, CO
The Pleasant DeSpain Sr. Schoolhouse meets criterion C for its architectural significance dating from its 1926 remodeling into an excellent example of vernacular architecture with Craftsman details in Westminster. The school meets Criterion A for its social significance. It served as a center of community activities and also reflected the growth of the community and its commitment to education. The building represents changes in the needs of the community as well as changes in architectural style; changes that have not compromised the building or its intended use.

Built between 1892 and 1899, the schoolhouse was known as Harris Park Schoolhouse after the subdivision where most of the students lived. The original building contained three classrooms and was designed in the Victorian Romanesque style of architecture. Located in a town of truck gardens the school was one of the few buildings built of brick. The elaborate style and permanence of the construction materials showed the vision and belief of the town as their un-incorporated community. The land for the school had been sold to the school district by the son of the first settler in the area Pleasant DeSpain, Sr. homesteaded in the area in 1870 and Benjamin DeSpain who bought the land from the government and then sold one acre of it to the school district for $150.00 in February of 1892.

When completed, the school was the pride of the town and the center of community social activity. Two classrooms could be opened up by large folding doors into one large space with a stage. These doors are no longer in existence. The building provided space for community and club meetings, dances and sporting events from the 1890s into the 1940s. Children of town pioneers attended the school, such as the DeSpain children and the Edward Bruce Bowles children (the Bowles home is listed on the National Register). In 1911, Harris Park and the surrounding area were incorporated as Westminster. The schoolhouse became known as the Westminster Grade School. Youngsters attending the first eight grades used two outhouses located in the backyard of the school as there was no running water in the building. The sites of two outhouses may have historic archaeological potential. However, the exact location of these sites is not known but is thought to be to the northeast of the school building. Hitching posts in front of the school held steady the most common form of transportation, while a wire fence was not to keep children in but, to keep wandering cows and livestock out.

Due to the growth of the community, the school became overcrowded. The size of the building between 1926 and 1927 was doubled with two more classrooms by an addition on the north side of the building. During this time, remodeling of the exterior and interior also took place. This school has architectural significance because of the attention to detail of the rehabilitation of the building from the Romanesque revival to a vernacular building with Craftsman-style detailing. The use of natural colors like tan and red brick for the exterior and the polychromatic effect of those materials along with the incorporation of multi-pane windows and half-timbering reflect the modern influences of the Craftsman style of architecture. By cutting down on the height of the building with the removal of the window dormers and the replacement of the conical roof of the west tower with battlements, an attempt was made to emphasize a low horizontal composition of the building. Interior remodeling of the original section provided students and teachers with restrooms while almost all original interior features were left intact.

As new schools were built to cope with the rapid population growth after World War II, the school became too small to handle a large number of children in the city. In 1957, the interior was modernized for use as the administrative office for School District 50. Throughout the development of the community, the schoolhouse was adapted for use instead of being destroyed, showing the attachment to the structure by the citizens.

A bond issue in 1973 was used to construct a new administrative office building, freeing the schoolhouse of that use. As a result, the interior has been partially returned to the original. Some of the false ceilings have been removed. Total restoration would not be difficult since so much of the original fabric is still present. Today the school is again serving children as a processing center for school books and supplies while functioning as a reading center for children with reading problems. Continuing to help children discover the world, the schoolhouse is as important to the future of our society today as it was yesterday.

Recently, at the urging of the Westminster Historical Society and De Spain family members, School District 50 officially renamed the building the Pleasant DeSpain Sr., Schoolhouse in honor of Westminster's first pioneer. With affection and pride, the citizens of this city hold dear their architectural and socially significant schoolhouse.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

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In 1913, the city of Trinidad, Colorado, became the site of the first successful oil well-drilled west of the Mississippi River. The discovery led to a boom in oil production in the region, and Colorado became a major oil-producing state.
Adams County, Colorado, is a region rich in history and has played a significant role in the development of the state. The history of the county dates back thousands of years, with evidence of human occupation by various Native American tribes. These early inhabitants left behind their artifacts and structures, which offer insights into their daily lives and cultural practices.

European settlement in Adams County began in the 19th century with the arrival of traders, trappers, and gold prospectors. Eventually, the establishment of railroads and the discovery of gold in the neighboring areas attracted more settlers to the region. The area was named after Alva Adams, the governor of Colorado at the time, and was officially organized as Adams County in 1902.

Agriculture played a crucial role in the early development of Adams County. The fertile soil of the region supported the growth of crops such as wheat, corn, and sugar beets, which encouraged further settlement and economic growth. The county saw the construction of irrigation systems, enabling farmers to cultivate the land more efficiently.

Adams County also experienced unprecedented growth during World War II due to the establishment of Lowry Air Force Base and the Adams County Naval Station. These military installations brought an influx of people to the area and had a significant impact on the local economy. After the war, the region transitioned into a more urbanized and industrialized area, with the growth of manufacturing and commercial sectors.

Today, Adams County continues to thrive, offering a diverse mix of industries, including aerospace, healthcare, and agriculture. The county is also home to various natural parks and recreational areas, preserving its rich history and providing a high quality of life for its residents.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Adams County, Colorado.

  • 1858 - Adams County formed as one of the original 17 counties in the Territory of Kansas
  • 1861 - Adams County transferred to the Territory of Colorado
  • 1901 - Thornton becomes the first city in Adams County
  • 1902 - Brighton is incorporated
  • 1903 - Commerce City is incorporated
  • 1904 - Watkins is incorporated
  • 1949 - Adams County Fair begins
  • 1952 - Adams State Junior College (now Community College of Denver) is established
  • 1962 - Aurora becomes a city and is partially located in Adams County
  • 2001 - Adams County Regional Park opens
  • 2013 - The historic Adams County Courthouse is destroyed by fire