Kullgren House
Historic miner's boarding house in Lafayette, Colorado, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kullgren House is a historic residence located at 209 East Cleveland Street in Lafayette, Colorado.[1] Built in 1896, the house served as a private residence and boarding house for coal miners and later school teachers.[2] It remains as one of the best preserved examples of the residential architecture typical of the thriving element of Lafayette.[2] It is associated with Andrew Kullgren, who lived in the home from 1896 to 1919.[2]
Kullgren House | |
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| Location | 209 East Cleveland Street, Lafayette, Colorado |
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| Coordinates | 39°59′51″N 105°5′17″W |
| Built | c. 1890 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular miner's cottage |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001299 |
| CSRHP No. | 5BL.813 |
| Added to NRHP | May 20, 1983 |
History
The house was originally constructed in 1896 by Andrew Kullgren. The house was constructed as a residence with enough rooms to allow coal miners as boarders, which was a common method for owner's to bring in additional income.[1][2]
Andrew Kullgren arrived in Lafayette during the early boom years and by 1892 was operating a shoe store in the town.[2] He was elected to City Council in 1894 and served for three years. In 1896, Kullgren switched his line of business to manufacturing harnesses and had the home constructed.[2] He also constructed a small wash house at the back of the home, which provided an area for returning miners to clean up after working in the mines.[2][3]
In 1919, Kullgren sold the house to Ben Cundall from Sutton, Nebraska, whom worked in a local retail store and served as mayor of Lafayette on three occasions.[2][3] The property was part of the Cundall estate until it was sold in 1971.[2]
The house was approved by the Colorado state review committee for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places in early 1983[4], and was officially listed on the register on May 20, 1983.[2][5][6][7]
Architecture
The Kullgren House is a vernacular dwelling with a square floor-plan and a steeply pitched hip roof.[1][2] The open porch has original turned posts with gingerbread brackets.[3]
In 1908, the house was raised and remodeled with a stone foundation added under the building.[8]
In 1974, decorative brackets were removed from the front porch and wood railing was replaced with wrought iron.[2]
Significance
The Kullgren House is historically significant as a well-preserved example of Lafayette's coal-era miner's housing. The house demonstrates the more prosperous element of Lafayette.[2]