64 Farmsteads: Intensive and Reconnaissance-level Surveys, Phase 2, Brighton Vicinity, Adams County/Weld County, Colorado

Terracon Consultants, Inc.

Abstract: "On behalf of the City of Brighton and the Brighton Historic Preservation Commission (BHPC), Terracon Consultants, Inc. (Terracon) conducted a survey of 64 historic farmsteads in the Brighton vicinity. The survey was performed between December of 2015 and April of 2016. A windshield survey of 64 farmsteads was conducted during the summer of 2015. As a result of the windshield survey, the BHPC selected 64 properties for further survey including 42 at the reconnaissance-level and 22 at the intensive-level. Of these 64 properties, 49 were selected for inclusion in this project phase; the unexpectedly large numbers of resources located within each farmstead limited the number of properties that could be documented during this phase. The survey documented 17 properties at the intensive level (including 5 properties in Weld County and 12 in Adams County) and 32 properties at the reconnaissance level. Of the 17 intensive-level properties, four properties were considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Properties that are NRHP eligible are also considered eligible in the Colorado State Register of Historic Places and for local listing. One property was found eligible for just the state register and local designation. Eight properties were recommended eligible for Brighton local landmark designation (including the five found eligible for the National and/or State Registers). As agricultural properties face the threat of future development, further survey is necessary to help inventory and document Brighton’s resources. Terracon recommends surveying additional farmsteads and individual farm buildings (especially barns) as well as other properties related to agricultural development in Brighton to obtain a thorough understanding of the city’s agricultural history and related historic contexts. Based on the findings of the surveys, Terracon recommends further survey of six reconnaissance-level properties. These properties were chosen based on their potential to convey architectural significance and their integrity. Additionally, Terracon recommends a historic interpretation or education program to further preserve the city of Brighton’s agricultural resources. Due to the large number of surveyed resources that were identified as potentially at risk of development, an interpretation or education program would be beneficial in maximizing the number of these significant resources that can be preserved." Funding was provided in part through a 2015 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office (P15AF00192) and a subsequent Certified Local Government subgrant from the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office to the City of Brighton, Colorado (CO-15-014).

64 Farmsteads: Intensive and Reconnaissance-level Surveys, Phase 2, Brighton Vicinity, Adams County/Weld County, Colorado

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