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Colorado Vignette - La Plata County Historical Society receives 2008 Governor's Award for Historic Preservation

On Halloween night in 1919, a devastating fire destroyed the roof of the Animas City School and seriously damaged the stately 1905 Durango landmark. Last year the La Plata County Historical Society completed a 30-year effort to rehabilitate the building and reconstruct the original hipped roof. On Feb. 6, Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien presented the La Plata County Historical Society with the sixth annual Governor's Award for Historic Preservation at the Colorado History Museum.

The beautiful Romanesque/Italianate landmark, constructed of native sandstone, is the oldest remaining school building in the Durango area. It has been the home of the Animas Museum since 1978. It is the last public building remaining from the former town of Animas City, which was annexed to Durango in 1948. Three generations of students attended the school from 1905-1967, including Animas Museum Director Robert McDaniel.

The original hipped roof, with a rear gable and bell tower, had been replaced with a flat roof following the fire. After the school closed in 1967, the building was neglected and the roof was in danger of collapse from heavy snows.

"When the La Plata County Historical Society started restoring the building in 1978, it was trashed," said McDaniel, who oversaw the restoration work. "It basically took us 30 years to restore it, with the roof reconstruction being the final major project."

State Historical Fund grants have contributed more than half the funding (more than $450,000) for the Animas City School's restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The historic building's architecture once again features a character-defining hipped roof with gables, dormers and a bell cupola.

"Restoring this landmark has been a massive project that could not have been completed without the help of the State Historical Fund, the commitment of our small group of people, and the support of the community," said McDaniel.

The historic building retains its role as an educational beacon in the Durango community. The Animas Museum provides exhibits, lecture series, historical tours and award-winning publications that bring history alive for adults and children.

"The school building itself is an important visible reminder of what life was like in one of western Colorado's first towns," said McDaniel. "The high ceilings, tall double-hung windows, steam heating system and wood floors all are charming reminders of early 1900s architecture and living style.""This award is well-deserved by the people of the La Plata County Historical Society because of their commitment to the project, every step of the way," said Mark Wolfe, director of the State Historical Fund and Colorado's deputy state historic preservation officer. "We are proud to have been able to help preserve this beautiful building for future generations."

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