Development of the Theme or Area of Significance The Valmont community was founded in 1860 by a group of former miners seeking their fortunes in agriculture. The town of Valmont, plotted in 1865, prospered as a farming community. For a brief period in the 1860s, Valmont's population actually surpassed that of Boulder. Platt Farmhouse site is significant for its relationship to three key land features in east Boulder: North Boulder Farmers Ditch, Boulder and Left Hand Ditch, and Valmont Road. The North Boulder Farmers Ditch was constructed in 1862 to divert water from Boulder Creek to outlying farm communities. A second irrigation canal, the Boulder and Lefthand Ditch, was constructed in 1873 to parallel the Farmers Ditch. The ditches played a vital role in the agricultural success of the Valmont area. Where originally located, the Platt Farmhouse was situated approximately 40-feet north of the Boulder and Lefthand Ditch. 12 Valmont's agricultural accomplishments also depended on reliable transportation. Valmont Road was built in the early 1860s to transport agricultural products from outlying farm communities to markets in Boulder. The importance of the road as an agricultural trading route is reflected in the placement of many farmhouses along Valmont Road, such as Platt Farmhouse. 13 Associated Property Types Platt Residence was built in the typical Vernacular Farmhouse style of the early 20th century. This structure is reminiscent of other Farmhouses built during this time throughout Colorado that can still be seen in most rural communities today. Many of this style of farmhouses no longer exist in the Valmont Community making it a truly unique occurrence within the remaining rural landscape. An example of this style of architecture most similar to Platt Farmhouse is Roney Farmhouse which still exists within the Valmont Community today. Physical Characteristics and Integrity Platt Farmhouse possess a high degree of authenticity and retains its integrity of design, materials, workmanship, and association. This building was relocated to its existing location in 2011 for the construction of a new bike park. It was placed approximately 700-feet west of its original location and at one of the main entrances to the bike park. 14 Although building relocation is never ideal, the property remains within the Valmont Community and maintains its rural character. Most of the original materials have remained the same or have been replaced with compatible materials. The workmanship is consistent with the typical Vernacular Farmhouse construction throughout Colorado since 1860, as well as a good portion of the United States in the early 20th century. Since the building was relocated, there is a feeling of disconnect with its original history. However, it still feels like a prominent part of the community in its new location within the bike park. Through preservation and continuing the Farmhouse’s story, the structure has retained its association with the Platt family as prominent members of the Valmont (and wider Boulder) community, as well as its associations with early agricultural development in Boulder. Statement of Significance The Platt Farmhouse is historically significant for its associations with the Platt Family and the role they played in the agricultural development of East Boulder. The house is an early example of a typical vernacular farmhouse within the Boulder community. Character-defining architectural features of this building type include, but are not limited to, the hipped-box design, simple wood frame construction and wood siding, a prominent porch, and dormers. All features are extant at the Platt Farmhouse. This structure is one of the only remaining houses left from the Valmont community, making it a unique occurrence within the Boulder community. Recommended Period of Significance The recommended period of significance for Platt Farmhouse is from 1908 to 1950. The period begins with the construction of the Farmhouse and ends when the Platt family were no longer residents of the farmhouse in 1950, after which it changed ownership a several times and then leased to the City of Boulder who currently owns the property.
12 Holthouser, Neil and Ruth McHeyser. Memorandum. City of Boulder Parks Department, 3. 13 Ibid. 14 East Boulder Working Group. East Boulder Inventory and Analysis Report, Boulder (Colo.) Office of Arts and Culture, 6.
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Platt Farmhouse
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