Cultural Landscape Report: Fruita Rural Historic District, Capitol Reef National Park

Gilbert, Cathy; McKoy, Kathleen

The Cultural Landscape Report for Fruita is divided into four primary sections: Existing Conditions, Site History, Analysis and Evaluation, and Recommendations. All references are contained in the endnotes and bibliography, with additional source materials in an appendix. A large portion of the material for this report was drawn from the DOE for the Fruita Rural Historic District. In every case, basic data in the DOE was supplemented with additional research and analysis, allowing for the development of recommendations for treatment. In addition, although the DOE for Fruita designated boundaries for the historic district, the boundaries for this report were extended to include significant resources outside of the proposed district boundaries. Specifically, the boundaries were expanded to include the full extent of the historic irrigation system and the lime kiln on Sulphur Creek, located just west of the visitor center (see Existing Conditions: Study Boundaries). Additional historical research was conducted at the Denver Service Center’s Technical Information Center and the Federal Record Center in Denver, park archives, and the Wayne County Courthouse in Loa, Utah. Superintendents’ reports and correspondence were used to behind those modifications. Oral interviews were conducted with former property owners and residents in an attempt to clarify information found in the historic record. Some data, particularly that which related to historic land use, were occasionally confusing, contradictory, and difficult to reconcile. Discrepancies among official documents, park maintenance records, oral histories, and photographic documentation of Fruita proved most challenging. Where information could not be tracked in the written record, deference was made to the photographic record. While this technique was useful in several cases, it also illustrated major contradictions between the tax records for Fruita and most other sources. Throughout this report, these discrepancies are noted and explained in the endnotes. In the analysis, the photographic collection and park maintenance records were used as the primary records for documenting landscape resources, including land use. Existing conditions were documented during a two-week site visit in March 1993. Supplementary data were collected from the park’s natural resources database, cultural resources records, and administrative files relating to park operations, visitor services, and recreation. As part of this work, all available data on the orchards and agricultural fields were consolidated and an inventory was compiled. The purpose of the inventory was to verify existing management records and document current status, species composition, acreage, layout, and condition. While part of this study, landscape features and historic resources located outside of the DOE boundaries were not extensively documented because of time constraints. The analysis and evaluation incorporated findings from the research portion of the project and documented three components that influenced the cultural and physical contexts for development of the historic landscape (overall landscape organization, response to natural features, and cultural traditions), and seven additional character-defining features that contribute to the significance of the landscape. The recommendations in this document address treatment of significant cultural landscape resources in five categories: Management Concepts, Circulation, Vegetation, Structures, and Small-scale Features. The intent of the recommendations is to provide guidelines for treatment. Specific actions are not detailed, pending development of the GMP, development concept plan(s), additional management plans, and special studies, as appropriate. The recommendations identify areas where new development can occur within the district without impacting significant resources and describes, as appropriate, the type and character of those changes.

Cultural Landscape Report: Fruita Rural Historic District, Capitol Reef National Park

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