Historic Context of Littleton, Colorado, 1949-1967

Tomasso, Diane

From introduction: "This historic context of Littleton is presented in four sections. From Small Town to Suburb addresses the post-World War II housing crisis and the explosive growth of suburban residential housing, aided by the Federal Housing Authority, the automobile, cheap fuel, and new federal, state, and regional road systems. It discusses the rapid annexation that expanded Littleton’s boundaries and its physical, educational, and cultural infrastructure. It examines planning methods and organizations that developed in an attempt to impose order on the chaotic, evolving process of municipal growth. From Main Street to Shopping Mall addresses the accompanying expansion of retail stores andservices that emerged and evolved to serve both the new suburban community and the interests of consumer capitalism. From the Farm to Outer Space relates changes at Littleton’s four major pre-war factories and describes its innovative new corporate industries founded on research and development, new scientific technologies, and clean, light manufacturing. Last, Society, Community and Family describes the international and national events that transformed Littleton’s family, social, and cultural life, engendering radical changes in the position of minority groups, women, and teenagers within the suburban culture. Littleton has long demonstrated its commitment to the preservation of its rural, agricultural, and small town past. The city’s 19th and early 20th century history, seen through its surviving buildings and streetscapes, summons a nostalgic appreciation for those early days and inspires a renewal of the values of community that they embody. Yet the Littleton we know today was largely forged in the explosive growth and suburban transformation that occurred between 1949 and 1967. The struggles and accomplishments of those who lived and worked in Littleton during those years are no less significant than those of its early pioneers and small-town citizens. Accordingly, this document seeks to secure a commensurate commitment to the preservation of the city’s post-World War II history. Today, with the ever-increasing pace of redevelopment, important buildings of the period are commonly damaged by inappropriate renovations or summarily demolished. Their timely survey, identification, and landmark protection is critical to the preservation of this period’s built environment, and to retaining the broadest range of the city’s full and rich history into the future." Funding was provided in part by a 2007 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Littleton (project number CO-07-016) administered by the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 08-07-21609) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Historic Context of Littleton, Colorado, 1949-1967

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