Boulder Historic Places Plan

Associated Property Types Fire Station No. 2’s design is consistent with the American Foursquare style used in residential building design in the early 20th century. It was typical for neighborhood fire stations to blend in with their surrounding communities, which influenced Isaac T. Shockley to design Fire Station No. 2 in this way. He also designed Boulder Fire Station No. 3 in the same style around the same time. This would have been the closest associated property type to Fire Station No. 2; however, Fire Station No. 3 is no longer standing. 10 Other landmarked examples of similar fire stations throughout the US includes the Norfolk Fire Station No. 12 in Virginia. 11 It was built in 1923 in a neighborhood that encapsulated the American Foursquare style in residential buildings. This building is a simple two-story, masonry construction with a cubic shape and floor plan, low pitched, hipped roof with a deep overhang and central front facing windows – similar to Boulder Fire Station No. 2. Another notable example is the Historic Hamilton Firehouse located just outside Cincinnati, Ohio. 12 It was built in 1910, two years after Boulder Fire Station No. 2, and has the same character-defining features. Physical Characteristics and Integrity Boulder Fire Station No. 2 possesses a high degree of integrity and retains integrity of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. It remains in its original University Hill location. It's placement on the site, specifically its scale, height, driveway setbacks and construction material, all work in harmony to make it compatible with the surrounding residences. The building has retained much of its original character. Some exterior additions (metal staircase & storage shed) completed since its original construction that do not seem to obstruct the overall design of the building and are reversible. The building's interior has been slightly modified on the interior to accommodate a pottery studio's needs and equipment. Most materials are original to the structure. The workmanship of Fire Station No. 2 is consistent with the American Foursquare architectural style. The structure is currently operated as a pottery studio as a space for community interaction and engagement. Since the building remains intact, the feeling of walking through a historic space has been maintained. Fire Station No. 2's original signage and appropriate preservation has allowed the building to maintain its associations with the growth and development of fire protection within the City of Boulder and the University Hill neighborhood. Statement of Significance Boulder Fire Station No. 2 is significant for its associations with the growth and development of the fire department in Boulder as well as contributing to the advancement of fire prevention in the early 1900s. The structure is significant as an example of an American Foursquare style building designed by Isaac T. Shockley - a locally well known architect. Traditionally, the American Foursquare style has been utilized in residential design, however it was not uncommon for fire department buildings to mimic their neighboring architecture, which was the case for the Boulder Fire Station No. 2. Recommended Period of Significance

The recommended period of significance for Boulder Fire Station No. 2 is from 1908 to 1958. This period begins with its initial construction in 1908 and ends in 1958 when the fire department relocated to a larger station.

10 Boulder (Colo.). Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board, 1979-87. Fire Station No. 2 (Boulder, Colo.) Landmark Designation Papers, 2. 11 Hafner, Katherine. “VA Fire Station Designated State Landmark.” Firehouse, The Virginian-Pilot, 18 Dec. 2019. 12 Rutledge, Mike. “Historic Hamilton Firehouse Could Become New Home or Business.” Journal-News, Journal-News, 16 Jan. 2021.

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Boulder Fire Station No. 2

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