EXISTING CONDITION Landscape Condition Landscape Characteristics
Columbia Cemetery's original setting, features, and spatial relationships remain largely intact. The cemetery is set on a hill one mile southwest of downtown Boulder at the base of the Flatirons. The setting is characterized by orderly paths and mature trees with grave markers interspersed. A stone gateway provides a formal entrance at the northeast corner and an metal fence defines the edges of the cemetery. Two sheds are located along the cemetery’s western edge, one historic and another of more recent construction. An irrigation channel traverses the cemetery from west to east. Mature trees line the roadways and create a park-like setting, similar to the Cemetery Association's plans in the 1920s. Concrete paved sidewalks surround the property on two sides, providing connections to the surrounding city. Numerous small-scale features include gates, signs, and grave markers. Topography The cemetery’s topography, including the natural terrain that slopes downhill to the north, and topographical fluctuations due to burials, contribute to the significance of the cemetery. As a burial ground, the topography was altered with regular ground disturbance. These disturbances are noted today in slight rises and depressions in the earth. The topography descends at the edges of the New Anderson Ditch, which has been altered since the period of significance with sheet piling and rocks along its edge. Despite this change, the topography along the ditch retains integrity. A narrow trench, of unknown date, follows the western fenceline and follows the alignment of a sewer pipeline that runs below-grade. The trench alters the topography with a drainage depression and captures seasonal run-off. It is uneven and collapsing in some locations with no hard edge. Vegetation Mature deciduous and evergreen trees are throughout the cemetery. Deciduous trees include cottonwood, elm, catalpa, linden, crabapple, Kentucky coffee tree, oak, and ash. Coniferous trees include Colorado spruce, douglas fir, juniper, and cedar. Many of the mature trees are reaching the end of their life span and likely date to the 1920s and 1930s when the Park Cemetery Association added vegetation to the property. In 2014, numerous ash trees were removed due to Emerald Ash Borer infestation. Approximately 90 trees were planted between 2017 and 2019. At Pioneer Gateway, mature trees define the entrance and a perennial bed is located in front of the gateway. Irises are planted in beds between the sidewalk and fence along 9th Street and the north and south sides of the cemetery. Some iris have spread outwards from the beds and into the cemetery. Shrubs and perennials are located at individual grave sites. Lilac, roses, spirea, and viburnum are common shrubs within the cemetery, however, many of these are in need of pruning or replacement. These individual plants likely date from the 1970s or later, however, they are consistent with the cemetery’s historic appearance. A lawn covers most of the cemetery’s open space and is in fair condition. Overgrown vegetation occurs along the narrow trench at the cemetery’s western edge. Vegetation is consistent with the cemetery's historic appearance, with evergreen and deciduous trees planted throughout the cemetery to create a park-like feeling. Individual shrubs and perennials at gravesites are consistent with the historic design, as photographs from the 1900s reveal that families planted blooming shrubs and perennials around graves. Irises were donated by Long's Gardens and beds were planted around 1970. Since these post-date the period of significance they are not contributing to the historic landscape, but are compatible. Spatial Organization The historic setting and spatial organization of Columbia Cemetery has remained intact since the end of the period significance. The cemetery's spatial organization is a result of the establishment of a grid-like burial plot arrangement and linear roadway system. The cemetery is arranged in a grid and separated into four main sections (A,B,C, and D). Additional sections fill out the cemetery’s edge (sections E and F). Each section is then divided into individual lots. A central circular area in the middle of the cemetery was originally left open; after approximately 1935, this area was filled in with graves.
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