Historic Preservation Architects in Colorado

The Meyer Ranch House – A Conifer Icon
By Phil Gerou, FAIA / January 2012

Whether you call it an icon, a landmark or a slice of local history, the Meyer Ranch House has, for over 120 years, been a symbol of pioneering confidence and frontier perseverance. It has also been a prime example of a Colorado Queen Anne vernacular architecture preserved down through the years. The house and its history are now a local treasure that arrives in 2012 not only for our enjoyment of its beauty and the instruction of our history but also with the obligation of its preservation.

Originally built in 1889, the Meyer Ranch House is also known as The Midway House, being “midway” between Denver and various points west. Louis Francis Ramboz and his wife, Mary, arrived from St. Joseph, Missouri, and on May 25th, 1883, bought 480 acres from Daniel W. McIntyre, a property which included the McIntyre cabin. Between March and October of 1889 a local contractor/builder named Joseph Grauffel, crafted the home using lumber mostly milled on site.

In 1912, 330 acres of the ranch including the Midway House were sold to the Ralph W. Kirkpatrick family. Early in the Kirkpatrick family’s history with the Midway House the original front porch was replaced with a Classical Revival porch extending across the entire front of the house. During the 1940’s when the house was being “modernized” with indoor plumbing, the kitchen pantry was converted to a bathroom.

The ranch passed through several hands after Kirkpatrick’s death in the early 1940s. In 1950, the ranch was purchased by Norman F. and Ethel E. Meyer and renamed the Broken Bar M Ranch. The Meyer’s expanded the ranch through an additional 140 acres of the Lubin property purchased from Martin Blakeslee in 1959.

In the early 1950’s, the Meyers made substantial renovations and additions to the Midway House. Windows were added on the north, east and west, including the bow window on the west facade. Decorative window shutters were added to the home. Brick fireplaces were added in the living room and dining room and a stone fireplace in the den. Each of the fireplaces was built by Norm & Ethel. The brick for the fireplaces was recovered from Nevadaville in Gilpin County. In 1880, Nevadaville had a population of over 1,000. By 1950 when the brick was salvaged, the population had dropped to 6.

The 1950’s renovations were substantial. Flooring and walls finishes, cabinetry and countertops, lighting and plumbing fixtures, all “modernized” the rustic interior while much of the exterior was preserved. Very little of the original woodwork and wall finishes from 1889 remain and are seen mainly in the home’s entry foyer and front staircase.

A study is currently underway to determine what might be required to eventually turn the Meyer House into a public museum. Gerou & Associates, Ltd. of Evergreen has been retained by the Conifer Historical Society and Museum, with financial assistance from the Colorado State Historical Fund, to prepare a detailed Historic Structure Assessment. Issues such as ADA accessibility, structural integrity, electrical wiring safety and building code compliance are all being addressed. Part of the goal of the Assessment is also to define a point in time in the history of the house that can be presented to visitors as authentic to the period. With the extent of the 1950’s renovations now dominating nearly every portion of the interior of the home, returning the home to its 1889 origins is just not practicable. Fortunately, the foyer and the front stairs can be retained and displayed in their original, 1889 condition. Although the exterior was also changed, that too must retain its 1950’s character with its now signature yellow paint and red shutters.

As the Meyer Ranch House progresses from a pioneering homestead to a private residence to a public museum, the Conifer community will be preserving an architectural icon and safeguarding a portion of local history. We are all indebted to Norm and Ethel Meyer and the entire Meyer family for their foresight, generosity and pioneering spirit in making this all possible.

home portfolio active projects about us contact us Gerou & Associates, Ltd. Architecture / Historic Preservation 303.674.4177 3064 Whitman Drive Evergreen, Colorado 80439 community involvement expert witness news			The Meyer Ranch House – A Conifer Icon By Phil Gerou, FAIA / January 2012 Whether you call it an icon, a landmark or a slice of local history, the Meyer Ranch House has, for over 120 years, been a symbol of pioneering confidence and frontier perseverance. It has also been a prime example of a Colorado Queen Anne vernacular architecture preserved down through the years. The house and its history are now a local treasure that arrives in 2012 not only for our enjoyment of its beauty and the instruction of our history but also with the obligation of its preservation. Originally built in 1889, the Meyer Ranch House is also known as The Midway House, being “midway” between Denver and various points west. Louis Francis Ramboz and his wife, Mary, arrived from St. Joseph, Missouri, and on May 25th, 1883, bought 480 acres from Daniel W. McIntyre, a property which included the McIntyre cabin. Between March and October of 1889 a local contractor/builder named Joseph Grauffel, crafted the home using lumber mostly milled on site. In 1912, 330 acres of the ranch including the Midway House were sold to the Ralph W. Kirkpatrick family. Early in the Kirkpatrick family’s history with the Midway House the original front porch was replaced with a Classical Revival porch extending across the entire front of the house. During the 1940’s when the house was being “modernized” with indoor plumbing, the kitchen pantry was converted to a bathroom. The ranch passed through several hands after Kirkpatrick’s death in the early 1940s. In 1950, the ranch was purchased by Norman F. and Ethel E. Meyer and renamed the Broken Bar M Ranch. The Meyer’s expanded the ranch through an additional 140 acres of the Lubin property purchased from Martin Blakeslee in 1959. In the early 1950’s, the Meyers made substantial renovations and additions to the Midway House. Windows were added on the north, east and west, including the bow window on the west facade. Decorative window shutters were added to the home. Brick fireplaces were added in the living room and dining room and a stone fireplace in the den. Each of the fireplaces was built by Norm & Ethel. The brick for the fireplaces was recovered from Nevadaville in Gilpin County. In 1880, Nevadaville had a population of over 1,000. By 1950 when the brick was salvaged, the population had dropped to 6. The 1950’s renovations were substantial. Flooring and walls finishes, cabinetry and countertops, lighting and plumbing fixtures, all “modernized” the rustic interior while much of the exterior was preserved. Very little of the original woodwork and wall finishes from 1889 remain and are seen mainly in the home’s entry foyer and front staircase. A study is currently underway to determine what might be required to eventually turn the Meyer House into a public museum. Gerou & Associates, Ltd. of Evergreen has been retained by the Conifer Historical Society and Museum, with financial assistance from the Colorado State Historical Fund, to prepare a detailed Historic Structure Assessment. Issues such as ADA accessibility, structural integrity, electrical wiring safety and building code compliance are all being addressed. Part of the goal of the Assessment is also to define a point in time in the history of the house that can be presented to visitors as authentic to the period. With the extent of the 1950’s renovations now dominating nearly every portion of the interior of the home, returning the home to its 1889 origins is just not practicable. Fortunately, the foyer and the front stairs can be retained and displayed in their original, 1889 condition. Although the exterior was also changed, that too must retain its 1950’s character with its now signature yellow paint and red shutters. As the Meyer Ranch House progresses from a pioneering homestead to a private residence to a public museum, the Conifer community will be preserving an architectural icon and safeguarding a portion of local history. We are all indebted to Norm and Ethel Meyer and the entire Meyer family for their foresight, generosity and pioneering spirit in making this all possible.
		Meyer Ranch House HSA Click here to view the April 2012 Town Hall Presentation