Development of the Theme or Area of Significance The introduction of Harbeck-Bergheim House within the University Hill neighborhood was impactful for its role in community planning and development, its unique architectural collaborative style, and the social history that would come from its ownerships. Until the last decade of the 19th century, the University Hill area was primarily undeveloped except for a few log cabins and pastureland owned by local farmers. The first large- scale development effort in this region was initiated in 1890 by the Denver and Boulder Land and Investment Company as University Place Addition. This 194-acre addition to the City of Boulder was located between College and Baseline Road - Sixth and Eighteenth Street. The area was platted into 1,820 lots. 11 One of these lots was allocated to the Harbeck Family who built their residence in 1899. With the growth of the University, construction of new homes in the University Hill area surged in the early 1900s. The area remains a prominent neighborhood within the City of Boulder today. The University Hill area combined a wealth of residential architectural styles made popular across the nation during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. During this period of community development, homes of the Bungalow style were most popularly built. However, the neighborhood also displayed a significant number of homes in the Edwardian Vernacular, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, English Cottage, and Craftsman styles. 12 The Harbeck-Bergheim House is a perfect eclectic example of the Edwardian Vernacular and Colonial Revival utilized for one residential structure. Some of the Edwardian Vernacular style characteristics seen at the Harbeck- Bergheim House include asymmetrical massing, lack of ornamentation, wrap-around porch, and classical details. In addition, some of the Colonial Revival characteristics seen at the residence include but are not limited to: a prominent entrance such as a portico, classic columns, dormers, and front doors with sidelights. Although the Harbeck family kept to themselves for most of their summer stays in Boulder, they grew social roots with the Boulder community through a love of their dogs and animals. 13 Without Mrs. Harbeck’s generous donation to the Boulder Humane Society, the organization may not have had as much success in its early years or even today. Two generations of the Bergheim family owned and operated a prominent clothing store in the heart of downtown Boulder on Pearl Street. 14 Their commitment to the growth of Boulder’s downtown and clothing market is still shared through the preservation of the Harbeck-Bergheim House as well as their family-owned store on Pearl Street. With proper preservation of the residence, these stories can be shared with the University Hill neighborhood and Boulder community. Associated Property Types Harbeck-Bergheim House is an example of the Edwardian Vernacular and Colonial Revival architectural styles made prominent throughout the United States. The Colonial Revival held influence in residential communities from the 1880s to the 1940s, while the Edwardian Vernacular style had a short-lived prominence lasting from 1900 to 1914. Multiple properties of these styles are found throughout the University Hill neighborhood. Harbeck-Bergheim House uniquely stands out within its community for the way both styles were harmoniously combined at the residence. The house’s eclectic architectural nature, as well as being bounded on two sides by Beach Park and elevated from the street sets it apart as a dominant and impressive local landmark in the University Hills neighborhood. Physical Characteristics and Integrity Harbeck-Bergheim House is a two-and-a-half-story building with an attic and garden level basement. The residence is characteristically a flared, hipped roof with overhanging eaves, decorative modillions, stone chimneys, a wood cornice with dentil trim, and dormers with cameo windows. Two sets of two-story bay windows are located on the front and side facades (northeast elevations). Each include one-over-one (1/1) light double-hung windows. 15 A one-story portico with classical stone columns atop stone walls (that make up a wrap-around porch) with a cornice lined balustrade is located on the front facade. A curvilinear stone wall is located adjacent to the front portico. 16 The main door is a solid wood dutch door flanked by leaded glass sidelight windows.
11 R. Laurie Simmons and Thomas H. Simmons, University Hill Neighborhood History and Walking Tour, 1992, 2. 12 Ibid, 3-4. 13 Colorado Historical Society. 1206 Euclid Avenue Historic Building Inventory Records, 2.
14 Ibid., 4. 15 Ibid., 5. 16 Ibid.
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Harbeck-Bergheim House
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