Design and Merchandising Steamboat Springs

The Utterback House, a rectangular wood-framed building with intersecting gables and topped by a widow’s walk, was constructed in 1900 by C.A. Seymour, the manager of the J.W. Hugus & Co. mercantile. Originally located on the corner of Fifth and Oak Streets, the house was used by a subsequent owner as a ballroom dancing school before being purchased by the John A. Utterback family in 1944 as a winter residence. The Utterbacks, who had moved to Steamboat Springs from the Washington, D.C. area in 1909 for John Utterback to recuperate from tuberculosis, lived in the house for over 50 years. John Junior, their son, attended a one-room school and later graduated from high school in Steamboat Springs. He went on to study veterinary medicine at Colorado State University and Iowa State, eventually returning to Steamboat in 1946 to practice, ranch, and engage in local politics.

In 1997, the Utterback House was donated by Karin Utterback Normann and relocated to the corner of Oak and Eighth Streets, where it retains its exterior integrity and serves as a community space. Now known as the “Utterback Annex,” it functions as a community room for meetings, special activities, office spaces, a kitchen, and the Lufkin Library research center. The house honors the legacy of the Utterback family and other rural pioneer families whose contributions have been significant in the development of Routt County. A capital campaign completed in 2013 funded a $1 million facility expansion for more display space with environmental controls, further solidifying the museum’s role in preserving local history.

The Steamboat Springs Depot, located at 1000 13^th Street in Steamboat Springs, designed by Frank Edbrook and built in 1909, stands as a partial two-story, rectangular-with-a-wing structure with a rock and mortar foundation. This historic depot features a red brick exterior and large overhanging eaves. The eastern half of the first floor once hosted a passenger waiting area and station office, while the western half provided ample space for freight and passenger baggage. The second floor served as living quarters for the stationmaster. When the depot opened, it marked a significant milestone for Steamboat Springs, which had no railroad connection upon its incorporation in 1900. The first train arrived on December 19, 1908, before the depot was fully operational, with the first passenger train arriving on January 6, 1909. This connection, established through efforts spearheaded by local community members and supported by Denver-based financier David Moffat’s Denver, Northwestern & Pacific Railway Company (DN&P), significantly impacted the area’s development, facilitating the growth of cattle ranches, a large mill, and increased tourism due to the mineral springs.

When railway service ended in 1968 due to improved roads and highways, the depot was repurposed into the community art center it is today. The building was deeded to the city of Steamboat Springs in 1971, and the Steamboat Springs Arts Council began operating there the following year. Despite its historical significance and being listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 (first Routt County building), the depot faced demolition. Eleanor Bliss, a founding member of the Arts Council, launched the “Save the Depot” campaign in 1980, successfully rehabilitating the building for full-time use. Now known as the Eleanor Bliss Center for the Arts, the Depot Art Center hosts concerts, theatre productions, art exhibits, and various community events in its original warehouse section, while the passenger waiting room lobby also features regular art exhibits. The station master’s quarters on the second floor serve as office space for the Arts Council, preserving the building’s historical charm while providing a vibrant cultural hub for the community.

The Depot Elementary School Activity

The Depot Intergenerational Activity

Tucked away in the serene beauty of Colorado’s Routt National Forest, Perry-Mansfield’s Main Stage/Studio on 40755 County Road 36 perfectly embodies the camp’s blend of creativity and natural surroundings. Built in 1922 as the second structure erected by Charlotte Perry and Portia Mansfield, the studio was crafted by carpenters from a nearby coal mine under the supervision of Charlotte’s brother. The 6,842-square-foot studio features a cruciform plan with a spacious theater supported by wood trusses and a metal roof, clad in painted red horizontal drop-lap siding. The building has two entrances accessed by footpaths and includes the Green Room, a small space serving as a stage entrance and performers’ lounge with a masonry fireplace. The large central room functions as a studio and theater, with large hinged wooden shutters that open as awnings to admit light and air, and an open-air addition known as Little Ballet, added in the 1970s. The lower level houses the costume and sewing room, making the Main Studio the largest building on the property.

Over the decades, the Main Studio has been the focal point for dance, theater, and other performing arts disciplines at Perry-Mansfield. It has hosted countless classes, workshops, and performances, becoming a sanctuary for students and renowned artists alike. The building’s design reflects the camp’s philosophy of blending artistic pursuits with the natural environment, featuring expansive windows that allow natural light and provide scenic views. Numerous renovations, supported by a grant from the State Historical Fund, have maintained the studio’s structural integrity and adapted it to modern educational needs while preserving its historic charm. These updates included structural reinforcements, roof repairs, electrical and lighting system upgrades, and modern HVAC installation, ensuring the studio remains a safe, functional, and inspiring space true to its historical roots.

Perry Mansfield High School Activity

The Julie Harris Theater at Perry-Mansfield, located at 40755 County Road 36, stands as a testament to innovative design and artistic heritage. Designed by architect Willard Sage, a former camper and student of Frank Lloyd Wright, the theater was built in 1958 and reflects Wright’s influence in its design. The rock walls of the 6,922 square-foot building slope dramatically in an exaggerated “battered” style, composed of local rock set in red-dye mortar. The structure’s metal roof, extensive eaves, and hinged windows create a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor environments, making the theater appear to rise naturally from the earth. The building features a five-sided design with concrete block and slab foundation, stone and mortar exterior walls, wood frame construction, and a combination of wood, concrete, and linoleum flooring. The lobby boasts a large circular fireplace made of stone and mortar, echoing the building’s rustic yet refined aesthetic. Named after Julie Harris, an alumna who attended the camp as a teen and later achieved fame on Broadway, the theater is notable for its versatile stage, which can be configured as a proscenium, thrust, or in-the-round. This adaptability remains a hallmark of the productions at Perry-Mansfield, allowing for innovative set and stage designs that enhance the intimate theater experience.

Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp, established in 1913 by Charlotte Perry and Portia Mansfield, encompasses a range of rustic buildings that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The camp has expanded from its original five acres to eighty-eight acres by 1949, with many structures dating back to before 1960. Notable landmarks include the Louis Horst Studio and the Julie Harris Theater. Significant renovations to the Julie Harris Theater began in 2000, focusing on preserving its historical integrity while upgrading its facilities. These renovations included structural reinforcement, new lighting and electrical systems, ADA access, new HVAC systems, the installation of storm windows, and more. The preservation of backstage walls covered with students’ signatures, including those of notable alumni like Dustin Hoffman, underscores the theater’s enduring legacy. Recently completed work includes stabilization and replacements of the roof.

The Skyline Cabin, originally a three-room bunkhouse at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp, located at 40755 CO Road 36, epitomizes the camp’s architectural ethos, designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Built around 1930, this 396 square foot structure features a gable roof with vertical sawn log siding, offering stunning views of the mountains to the west. The cabin’s design integrates with the natural surroundings, using primarily log and board-and-batten siding to blend with the landscape. Situated at the top of a hill amidst pines and aspens, Skyline Cabin offers a serene retreat for artists, fostering a close-knit community essential for artistic collaboration and growth.

The interior features painted floor planks, exposed 2x studs, and wood truss structures. Rehabilitation efforts in 2012 added new foundation supports, repaired the decks, and refreshed the interior, maintaining the cabin’s historical integrity. Originally built to provide rustic but comfortable housing for campers and staff, the cabin continues to play a vital role in the camp’s operations. Preservation efforts ensure that Skyline Cabin remains a cornerstone of this historic and influential arts institution, nurturing the talents of future generations. The founders’ dedication to creating a space where students could connect with nature while pursuing their artistic dreams is evident in the cabin’s design and ongoing preservation. Generations of artists who have stayed at Skyline Cabin have gone on to significant careers in the performing arts, making it a vital part of this historic and influential institution.

The Routt County Courthouse in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, stands as a striking example of Renaissance Revival and Beaux-Arts architecture. Designed by architect Robert K. Fuller and constructed between 1922 and 1923 by A.E. Danielson & Sons of Denver, this three-story building of buff brick, stone, and concrete is centrally located on 522 Lincoln Avenue. Its facade is distinguished by a projecting central section adorned with Doric columns framing a grand arch entrance, crowned by an inscription stone, acanthus leaf swag, and eagle statues. The courthouse’s design, including geometric brick patterns and a flat roof, reflects both the elegance of its era and its enduring structural solidity.

Throughout its history, the courthouse has undergone careful restoration efforts to maintain its original charm and functionality. A significant restoration in 1985, overseen by Michael Kortas, included replacing the original inscription stone and meticulously cleaning the brickwork. In subsequent decades, architect Ron Szerlong led further restoration work, focusing on preserving the interior plaster and matching the intricate glazed terra cotta details. These efforts have ensured that the Routt County Courthouse remains not only a symbol of local governance but also a beloved landmark and gathering place for the Steamboat Springs community, embodying both historical significance and architectural excellence in Northwest Colorado.

Howelsen Lodge, located on 845 Howelsen Parkway, nestled on historic Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, embodies a rustic and vernacular wood frame architectural style. Originally constructed in 1945 using logs cut from Gore Pass, the lodge has evolved through several additions over the decades. Its design includes dormers, cross gables, and a tower roof, echoing the steep pitch typical of the Tow House, all sheathed in asphalt shingles with generous overhangs. The entire structure is painted in brown with white trim and features distinctive chinking and green soffits.

Beyond its architectural significance, Howelsen Hill holds a storied place in skiing history. Named after Carl Howelsen, a Norwegian ski jumper and stone mason who arrived in 1913, the hill quickly became a hub for skiing innovation and competition. Howelsen introduced recreational skiing to the area and left a lasting legacy with locally-quarried sandstone masonry visible throughout Steamboat Springs. Colorado’s oldest continuously operated ski area since 1915, Howelsen Hill boasts the largest and most complete natural ski jumping complex in North America, attracting international athletes and ski enthusiasts alike. Today, Howelsen Lodge stands not only as a historic landmark but also as a testament to Carl Howelsen’s pioneering spirit and the enduring allure of skiing in Steamboat Springs, preserving a cherished piece of local history amidst the backdrop of Colorado’s scenic Yampa Valley.

The Mesa Schoolhouse, located on 34191 US-40 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is a testament to the early 20th-century rural education system in the Yampa Valley. Built in 1916 by Arthur Gumprecht, this iconic red building with its peaked roof and charming bell tower exemplifies the simplicity and functionality of one-room schoolhouses of its time. It served as Mesa District’s primary educational facility, welcoming children from diverse immigrant backgrounds and local families, playing a crucial role in their education and integration into American society.

After its closure in 1959, the Mesa Schoolhouse experienced a transformation, serving as a residential rental, hunting lodge, and even a social venue. Its historical significance was recognized in 1998 when the City of Steamboat Springs and Historic Routt County acquired the building, leading to a comprehensive restoration completed in 2000. Today, the Mesa Schoolhouse stands proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2007, offering educational tours and immersive experiences that bring to life the pioneering spirit of early 20th-century Colorado and the enduring legacy of rural education.

Mesa School House Middle School Activity