RIO BLANCO COUNTY
Pyramid Guard Station
CR 8, Yampa vicinity
United States Forest Service (USFS) administrative sites like
the Pyramid Guard Station represent the evolution of the agency’s
mission from basic custodianship to extensive resource management
and conservation. This shift manifested itself in the placement of
ranger/guard stations within the forests, allowing rangers to react
quickly to resource threats. The Pyramid buildings represent the 1930s
Civilian Conservation Corps/USFS ethics of conservation, efficiency
and working for the public good. Begun in 1934 as one of the first
CCC-built complexes in the state, Pyramid is an excellent example of
the kind of work done by the CCC in the national forests during the
Great Depression. The dwelling, combination building, barn, blacksmith
shop and wood shed typify administrative buildings of the USFS Rocky
Mountain Region during the CCC era and are excellent examples of Rustic
style architecture. The buildings exhibit key style characteristics such
as log walls, overhanging eaves with exposed rafters, small paned windows,
and the use of local materials in construction. The buildings reflect a
local manifestation of a regional style mandated by the USFS for rural
areas. (2006 photograph)
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BENT COUNTY
Las Animas Post Office
513 6th St., Las Animas
The post office building is associated with President Roosevelt’s
New Deal legislative agenda and the efforts of the federal government
to bring America out of the Great Depression. Rather than being a project
of a New Deal construction agency, the post office represents a direct
relief project of the Treasury Department. The construction of new post
offices allowed the federal government to assist communities through the
purchase of materials and the creation of construction jobs. The project
also provided Las Animas with its first purpose-built post office. The U.S.
Treasury Department’s Office of the Supervising Architect under the
direction of Louis A. Simon designed the simple, traditional, and restrained
building with its high quality materials throughout. It has been the only
post office in Las Animas since it opened in 1938. The property is associated
with the New Deal Resources on
Colorado’s Eastern Plains Multiple Property Submission.
(2006 photograph)
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