HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5A 1836 Pearl St LB Memo 07.10.24MEMORANDUM TO THE LANDMARKS BOARD
July 10, 2024
STAFF
Brad Mueller, Director of Planning and Development Services
Kristofer Johnson, Comprehensive Planning Senior Manager
Chris Reynolds, Deputy City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office
Marcy Gerwing, Principal Historic Preservation Planner
Clare Brandt, Historic Preservation Planner
Aubrey Noble, Historic Preservation Program Coordinator
Meron Shiferaw, Historic Preservation Intern
CONSIDERATION OF LANDMARK DESIGNATION REQUEST
Public hearing and consideration of an application to designate a portion of the property at 1836 Pearl St. as an
individual landmark, pursuant to Section 9-11-5 of the Boulder Revised Code 1981, and under the procedures
prescribed by chapter 1-3, “Quasi-Judicial Hearings,” B.R.C. 1981.
Address: 1836 Pearl St.
Legal Description: LOT 2 BLK 73 BOULDER EAST
Case Number: HIS2019-00038
Owner: 1836 Pearl Street LLC
Applicant: Aaron Grant
Case Type: Landmark Designation
Code Section: 9-11-5, B.R.C., 1981
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The house at 1836 Pearl St., originally proposed for demolition, is nominated to be designated, along with a portion
of the property, as an individual landmark by the property owners. Staff considers the property is eligible for
designation based on its architectural significance as an example of a Vernacular Masonry house with Craftsman
elements; for its historic significance for its association with the house’s long-time owners, the Maydew family; and
for its environmental significance as a visual landmark along East Pearl.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Landmarks Board forward the application to the City Council with a recommendation to
designate a portion of the property as an individual landmark to be known as the Thelma Maydew House.
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 1 of 22
RECOMMENDED MOTION
The Landmarks Board recommends to the City Council that it designate a portion of the property at 1836 Pearl St. as a
local historic landmark, to be known as the Thelma Maydew House, finding that it meets the standards for individual
landmark designation in Sections 9-11-1 and 9-11-2, B.R.C. 1981, and adopt the staff memorandum dated July 10,
2024, as the findings of the board.
BACKGROUND
•This building was initially proposed for demolition. Through the course of the demolition review process, the
owners withdrew the request and submitted a landmark designation application and an LAC was issued for the
restoration and on-site relocation of the building. The review process included:
o On Aug. 22, 2018, the Landmarks design review committee (LDRC) referred application HIS2018-00239 to
demolish the house at 1836 Pearl St. to the Landmarks Board for a public hearing, finding there was
“probable cause to believe that the buildings may be eligible for designation as an individual landmark.”
o On Oct. 3, 2018, the Landmarks Board placed a stay-of-demolition on the application. Over the course of
the stay, staff and representatives of the Landmarks Board and the property owners met to discuss
alternatives to demolition.
o On Jan. 22, 2019, the property owner requested withdrawal of the application to demolish the building
and subsequently submitted a landmark designation application for the property (HIS2019-00038).
o On May 6, 2019, the Landmarks Board approved a Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC) for on-site
relocation and rehabilitation of the property (HIS2019-00058).
•Pursuant to Section 9-11-5(C) of the Boulder Revised Code, the Landmarks Board must hold a public hearing
between 60 and 120 days unless agreed upon by the owner and the City. However, the application was held in
agreement until the building was relocated on the property.
•Staff recommends that the Landmarks Board forward the application to the City Council with the
recommendation to designate the property as the Thelma Maydew House. If designated, it would be Boulder’s
217th individual landmark.
PROPERTY LOCATION
The property at 1836 Pearl St. is located on the south side of Pearl Street, mid-block between 18th and 19th streets.
The front of the house faces north onto Pearl Street. The property is adjacent to the Chamberlain Historic District,
one block south of the identified potential Whittier Historic District and one block north-west of the identified
potential Walnut Historic District.
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Figure 1. Right: Location Map of central Boulder showing 1836 Pearl St. just north of the Chamberlain Historic District (purple)
and south of the identified potential Whittier Historic District (green). Left: 1836 Pearl St. on the south side of Pearl Street
between 18th and 19th Streets. Maplink+
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION & CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURES
Figure 2. Left: northwest corner of 1836 Pearl St., showing the relocation of the building, new construction at the rear and
rehabilitation of the hisoric building including the stone front porch, windows, door, and stucco. Right: The northeast corner of
the rehabilitated building with the new construction beyond. Staff photographs
The one-story building was constructed prior to 1880, establishing it as one of the earliest residences along east Pearl
Street. The vernacular masonry house features a front gabled roof with half-timbering at the front gable. Stucco was
applied to the masonry sometime between 1922 and 1929.
A half-width gabled front porch on the front of the building includes Craftsman elements including tapered porch
supports and a fieldstone base. The porch was constructed between 1922 and 1929 and replaced an earlier full-width
porch.
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 3 of 22
Figure 3. 1836 Pearl St., character-defining features include the windows with segmental arches and the central
chimney, all of which have be rehabilitated. Staff photographs.
The building has limited ornamentation and is simple in design. The building includes a central masonry chimney with
metal coping. The window and door openings all include segmental arches. The building’s stone foundation has been
parged with concrete.
Integrity
A property may be eligible for landmark designation if it meets the criteria outlined in the Significance Criteria for
Individual Landmarks (link). However, the building must also retain physical features that allow it to convey that
significance. The National Park Service provides standards 1 in the “aspects of integrity” that can be used to define
whether a building retains enough integrity to convey appropriate historical associations or attributes.
The building appears to be largely intact to its original construction. The original materials remain, including the brick,
which was originally exposed. Between 1922 and 1929, in an attempt to “modernize” the building into the Craftsman
style popular during that time, stucco was applied along with the half timbering in the gable end, and a new porch
replaced with a full-width porch.
The character-defining features of the house, including the original roof form with central chimney, arched window
and door openings, stone porch base, half-timbering and stucco have been retained.
The building has been relocated forward on its site, the rear frame addition (also expanded sometime between 1922
and 1929) has been removed and a large, two-story addition has been constructed at the rear of the building. The
surrounding setting has changed significantly since the house was constructed as Boulder developed eastward and
now includes large multi-family buildings on the south side of Pearl Street and commercial buildings on the north
side.
The construction to the rear of the lot, relocation of the building, and rehabilitation do not diminish the house’s
overall integrity and the property retains its ability to convey its feeling of an 1890s to 1920s house and its
association with its historic residents.
1 U.S. Dept. of the Interior. “National Historic Landmarks Glossary of Terms.” National Park Service. Accessed November 2022. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nati
onalhistoriclandmarks/glossary.htm
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 4 of 22
Figure 4. Top left: façade of 1836 Pearl St. c. 1934. 2 Top right: 1988 Survey image of façade.3 Lower left: 1836 Pearl St. c.
2016 showing house in original location on site, masonry behind applied stucco, and front porch. Lower right: 2018 image
showing 1836 Pearl St. in original location before relocation on site, note large construction on adjacent property.
Figure 5. Left: Rehabilitation plan for façade, including repair of chimney, half timbering, porch, stucco finish, windows and
door. Right: Rehabilitated house on new foundation on site showing relocated porch at facade, rehabilitated windows,
stucco and chimney. Staff photograph.
2 “1836 Pearl Street real estate appraisal card.” 1934-1961. Call Number 880-Pearl-1836. Carnegie Library for Local History, Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A94783
3 Front Range Research Associates. “1836 Pearl Street historic building inventory record.” 1988. Call Number 780 Pearl 1836. Carnegie Library for Local History,
Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A27967https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora:3
7342
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 5 of 22
PROPERTY HISTORY
Ownership of the property can be traced back to before 1879, when James Wilson owned it. Wilson was a land
speculator, but it’s not clear when he purchased the lot. In 1879, to settle a debt, he was ordered by Boulder County
Sheriff John Ellingham to sell more than two dozen lots that included 1836 Pearl Street.4 Wilson was once again
ordered to sell the lots in 1883, this time by the Bouler County Commissioners.5 Wilson didn’t sell the property until
1888, when he sold 1836 Pearl and the adjacent lot to Charles Buckingham.6 (However, he appears to have still
owned a half interest in the land in 1925, when Judge Chester Carpenter again forced the sale of the property.7)
The deeds do not specify whether the lot included “improvements” but the address is listed in Boulder’s first city
directory, published in 1883 with James and Estella Bemis as residents. And by 1887, the building at 1836 Pearl St.
shows up on a city map and photographs (see figures 6 and 7).
Figure 6. Left: 1887 map of the City of Boulder showing a building on the lot at 1836 Pearl St.8 Right: Cropped panoramic image
from the same year showing the building at 1836 Pearl St.9
4 Boulder County Records: https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181243081
5 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181236317
6 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181322152
7 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181372166
8 Willits, W. C. “Map of the city of Boulder, Colorado.” 1887. Call No. MAP CITY 1887-1. Carnegie Library for Local History, Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A76608
9 “Panoramic views of Boulder, [1887-1962].” 1877. Call No. BHS 208-6-1. Boulder Historical Society/Museum of Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A67940
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 6 of 22
Figure 7. Photograph of a baseball game in 1887. The house at 1836 Pearl St. is on the righthand side of the photograph. The
grocery and meat market opposite (at 1827 and 1831 Pearl street) are on the left side of the image.10
Ella and Henry H. Harris (c. 1880 - 1883)
The first recorded residents of the property are Henry H. and Ella Harris, who lived 1836 Pearl St. with their son
Herbert in 1880.11 Henry Harris was born in New York in 1853. The 1880 U.S. Census lists his occupation as a transfer
teaming, and his wife Ella was a housekeeper.12 Harris’ wagon team was used move a house and to landscape the
courthouse grounds in 1881.13
The Boulder County Herald reported on Feb. 18, 1880 that “H.H. Harris has laid off a pretty croquet ground near his
residence (1836 Pearl), and during leisure moments knocks the balls through the wickets.”14
On Jan. 12, 1881 the same newspaper reported on a strong windstorm came through Boulder:
“Perhaps the most severe wind storm which has ever occurred in Boulder began yesterday morning, quieted
down in the afternoon, but started up again with terrible energy in the evening, lasted all night and continued
to-day. Dwellings that were never known to be effected (!) by the wind fairly shook, which many rocked as if
they were about to turn over. Immense volumes of dust rose along the creek bottom and looked like great
masses of smoke, so much so that once the news that Sternberg’s Mill was on fire went like a cold electric
shock through the town. It proved, however to be a false alarm.”
10 Sturtevant, Joseph B. “Baseball at Boulder, Colo. July 4th 1887.” Call No. BHS S-752. Boulder Historical Society/Museum of Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A72473
11 Freeze, Samuel. “City of Boulder map.” 1880-1881. Call No. MAP CITY 1880-1. Carnegie Library for Local History, Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A58751
12 Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National
Archives, Washington, D.C. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/43345294:6742
13 Gladden, Sanford. Improvements in Boulder, Colorado Through 1900. Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Feb. 23, 1881 and May 10, 1881.
14 Boulder County Herald. 18 Feb, 1880.
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 7 of 22
The news report continues, stating “The damage of the later wind is as follows. … The north gable end of the brick
residence of H.H. Harris was blown in almost even with the eaves.”
Figure 8. Herbert Harris (center) as an adult in 1920 with his family. Herbert spent his early years in the house at 1836 Pearl St.
By 1900, Herbert’s father had remarried and the family moved to Denver.15
Eliza Stewart, Stewart Family (1888 – 1919)
In 1888, Charles Buckingham, a Boulder banker, sold 16 lot 1 (1844 Pearl St., the lot to the east) and lot 2 to Mrs. Eliza
Stewart.17 Eliza Stewart lived next door at 1844 Pearl St. and rented the house at 1836 Pearl St. to multiple families
including the Bemis family and the Baker family.
Eliza was born in 1834 in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.18 She moved to Boulder sometime between 1880 and 1885
with her husband, Thomas, who was a sergeant for the 17th Regiment, Iowa Infantry.19 Thomas died in 1890. Eliza
continued to live next door and rent the house at 1836 Pearl Street until her death on August 27, 1907 at aged 72.
Shortly before Eliza Stewart’s death in 1907, she sold the property to her sons, William and Charles Stewart. William
lived at 1805 Walnut St., and his son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Hettie Stewart lived in the house at 1836 Pearl
St. for a short time after their marriage in 1910 until 1913.
Estelle and James E. Bemis (c. 1883 - 1896)
James E. and Estelle Bemis lived at 1836 Pearl St. from 1883 until 1896, renting from Eliza Stewart.
15 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Emergency Passport Applications, Argentina thru Venezuela, 1906-1925;
Volume #: Volume 002: South Africa. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/602047825:1174
16 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181322152
17 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181293547
18 United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration,
1900. T623, 1854 rolls. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/6706485:7602
19 “The Civil War.” https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=58D58FD5-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 8 of 22
James Bemis was born in Michigan in 1848. The Bemis’s were married in 1877 and came to Colorado that same
year.20 The 1880 U.S. Census lists their occupations as a clerk in a grocery store and a housekeeper.21 Estelle was
born in Perry, New York in 1853 and died in 1906 of Bright’s Disease, a chronic inflammation of the kidneys. Notice in
the newspaper noted she was “one of the best women in Boulder, and one of the city’s earlier residents. She had
been ill but a week and was carried off by Bright’s Disease, Mrs. Bemis belonged to several local organizations.”22
James Bemis served as a Justice of the Peace and later worked as the superintendent of buildings and grounds at the
University of Colorado. He remarried in 1908 and died in 1922.
Edwin Baker and Belle Baker and Marion Sutton (1896 - 1913)
From 1896 until 1904, Edwin Baker lived at 1836 Pearl St. with his daughters, Belle Baker and Marion Sutton.23 Edwin
was born in 1817 in Rutland County, Vermont to English parents. In 1859, he married Priscilla Ambler and they came
to Colorado by 1889. His occupation is listed as a sexton and janitor at the Presbyterian Church. Edwin Baker died in
1904 following a short illness. The notice of his death in the newspaper states “he was a man of gentle spirit, cheerful
and generous and living the habitation of God’s house.”24
Belle Baker was born in 1866 in Wisconsin and worked as music and vocal teacher for decades. She was active in the
Presbyterian Church, serving in the choir and is photographed with James Bemis, the prior resident of 1836 Pearl St.
Marion Sutton was born in 1850 in Wisconsin and married Theodore J. Sutton, a teamster and Civil War Veteran,
serving in the 132nd New York Infantry.25 They lived in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and later moved to Colorado Springs. In
1892, the newspaper reported that Mrs. Sutton arrived from Colorado Springs as a delegate to the Women’s Relief
Corps Convention.26 The Carnegie Library website provides the following description of the organization:
The Woman's Relief Corps Post No. 27 (WRC) was an auxiliary to the Nathaniel Lyon Post No. 5 of the Grand
Army of the Republic (GAR), a Civil War veterans’ organization. It was formed in 1889 in Denver with
Margaret Burwick Anderson serving as its first president. The WRC's main function was to raise money
through bake sales, quilt raffles, charity balls, and dinners, for relief to veterans of the Civil War and their
families.27
Following her husband’s death in 1898, Marion Sutton moved to Boulder and lived with her father and sister, Belle. In
1900, she worked as a housekeeper. Following Marion’s death in 1913, Belle moved to 1720 Walnut St. She
continued to teach music until her death in 1936. The sisters are buried together in Columbia Cemetery.
20 Obituary Abstract for Estelle Bemis. Carnegie Branch Library for Local History.
21 Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National
Archives, Washington, D.C. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/43345305:6742
22 “Mrs. Bemis is Dead: Wife of Well-Known Justice of the Peace Passes Away.” 8 June 1906. Carnegie Branch Library for Local History.
23 Around 1900, the property address changed from 1928 Pearl Street to 1836 Pearl Street. Due to the deed research and addressing patterns on the 1800 block
of Pearl Street, staff believes the US Census incorrectly recorded the house as 1838 Pearl St. instead of 1836 Pearl St.
24 Baker, Edwin Obituary Abstract. Carnegie Branch Library for Local History.
25 Civil War Pension for Theodore J. Sutton. Ancestry.com
26 Baker, Belle newspaper abstract. Carnegie Branch Library for Local History.
27 Woman's Relief Corps time capsule collection, [between 1896 and 1914]. Accessed 18 September 2018.
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 9 of 22
Figure 9. Left: Presbyterian Choir, c.1896-1898. Isaac Earl (standing, left), James Bemis (right), Mrs. Campbell (seated left),
Belle Baker (seated right).28 Both James Bemis (from 1883 to 1896) and Belle Baker (1896 to 1913) lived in the house at
1836 Pearl St. Right: Belle Baker, 1906-1908.29Belle lived at 1836 Pearl St. with her father (from 1896 until 1904) and
sister, Marion (from 1898 until 1913).
Emma Skewes and Nellie Vaughn (1919 – 1922)
The Stewarts sold the property in 1919 30 to Emma Skewes, a widow who lived at 1836 Pearl St. with her divorced
daughter, Nellie Vaughn until 1920, when they moved to 2565 Pearl St.
Emma rented the property to W.W. Bezona, an oil refinery producer and employee at Bezona-Steele Auto Supply
company at 1448 Pearl St. in 1921. She sold the property in 1922 to Nicketie B. Brant.31
E.D. and Mollie Murphy, Milton Murphy (1922 - 1931)
Nicketie Brant borrowed money against the property but very quickly sold it to married couple E. D. and Mollie
Murphy in 1923.32 The Murphy’s appear to have lived in Lincoln, Nebraska. However, their son, Milton Murphy, lived
in the house in 1926 while a law student at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
During the time the Murphy’s owned the property, Woolsey Moses, a building contractor constructed a garage at the
rear of the property (since demolished) in 1923; and in 1925, Judge Chester Carpenter forced the sale of James
28 “First Presbyterian Church: choir members.” C. 1896-1898. Call No. BHS 209-2-18. Boulder Historical Society/Museum of Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A73710
29 “Belle Baker portraits.” C. 1908 and 1911. Call No. BHS 249-1-191. Boulder Historical Society/Museum of Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A14229
30 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181664346
31 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181654660
32 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181387395
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 10 of 22
Wilson’s interest in the property, which he appears to have retained since 1888 when he sold the property to Charles
Buckingham.33
David Henry (Hal) and Alma E. Maydew, Thelma Eleanor Maydew, Bill and Dean Maydew (1928 - 1996)
Thelma Eleanor Maydew is the property’s longest resident, living here for nearly seven decades starting in 1928 until
her death at age 91 in 1996. She was born in 1904 in Riverton, Nebraska and came to Boulder in 1921. She provided
clerical work in the office of Boulder Cleaning and Dye Works for fifty years. She was a member of the First United
Methodist Church for more than sixty-five years and was an avid gardener.34 She passed away in 1996 and the
property was purchased by the current owners.
Her parents, David (Hal) and Alma Maydew, rented the house before purchasing it from Mollie Murphy in 1931.35 Hal
Maydew was born in Gardner, Illinois in 1877 and married Alma Worster in 1899. They farmed his family homestead
near Riverton, Kansas before coming to Boulder in 1923. A 1948 article observing the couple’s fiftieth wedding
anniversary identified Hal as a “retired carpenter, having built a number of homes and business buildings in and near
Boulder.”36 Alma Maydew passed away in 1955 and Hal Maydew died in 1960. The couple had five children: a son,
Miles, and four daughters: Cuba Carlson, Thelma Maydew, Ione Gains and Signa Smith.
The 1930 U.S. Census records that all family members were employed: Thelma, her mother, Alma, and sister Cuba
and cousin Clella worked as laundresses, while a brother and another sister worked for an oil company. In 1950, Hal
and Alma lived in the house with daughter, Thelma, and grandchildren Bill and Dean.37
Figure 10. Right: Bill Maydew, 1949.38 Left: Dean Maydew, 1952.39Grandchildren of Hal and Alma Maydew, both Bill and
Dean grew up in the house at 1836 Pearl St.
33 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181372166
34 Thelma Maydew Obituary. Daily Camera. 15 April 1996.
35 Boulder County Records. https://boulder.co.publicsearch.us/doc/181455762
36 The D.H. Maydews’ Golden Wedding is Observed At Dinner. Daily Camera. 3 Nov. 1948.
37 Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census. 1913-1/1/1972. Population Schedules for the 1950 Census, 1950 - 1950. Washington, DC: National Archives
at Washington, DC. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/19824514:62308
38 "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Boulder High School; Year: 1949. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/422253546:1265
39 "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Boulder High School; Year: 1952. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/411192103:1265
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 11 of 22
AREA HISTORY
When gold was discovered in the mountains nearby, 60 original shareholders 40 of Boulder City Town Company
ignored the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, also known as the Horse Creek Treaty, and claimed 1,280 acres alongside
Boulder Creek on February 10th, 1859.41 The productive creek side land is an essential part of the ancestral
homelands of Indigenous Peoples who have lived on and travelled through them for thousands of years. The 1861
formation of the Territory of Colorado and the Treaty of Fort Wise officially ceded Arapaho and Cheyenne control 42
of the Boulder Valley area, including the original town of Boulder, which at the time included Hill (now Mapleton),
Pine, Spruce, Pearl, Front (now Walnut), and Water (now Canyon) Streets from approximately Eleventh Street to
Seventeenth Street.43
In 1872, Granville Berkley and Amos Widner proposed extending the city from 18th to 25th Street, and from Front
Street (Walnut) to Bluff Street. This growth attracted the railroad and the university, in addition to encouraging the
development of new residential neighborhoods.44 In 1873, the Denver & Boulder Valley Railroad connected Boulder
to Brighton to transport coal from Erie. The railroad company constructed a depot near 23rd and Pearl Streets, and
although many of the city’s prominent residents built houses in the new neighborhood (mainly the Whittier addition
to the north), parts of the East Boulder Addition near the freight depot became a popular location for the houses of
the working-class.
From the Jan. 4, 1995 Landmark Preservation Advisory Board memo, written as part of the proposed East End
Historic District:
East Pearl Street, historically referred to as the “East End”, developed as a mixed-use area of commercial,
industrial, and residential uses. The East Pearl Street commercial area served the Whittier neighborhood,
while at the same time providing residence to a number of families. The continued relationship between the
historic commercial and residential structures represents the mixed-use character of the East Pearl area and
the development pattern of secondary commercial areas in Boulder near the turn of the twentieth century.
The district represents the area’s period of growth and development which ranged from 1870 to 1930.
The Glover Map of Boulder City from 1874 shows what appears to be a house in the location of 1836 Pearl St. (note
the Boulder Valley Railroad as indicated one mile east.) However, this early date has not been confirmed by a
secondary source.
40 Whitacre, Christine, and R. Laurie Simmons. “Boulder Survey of Historic Places.” 1987. 760-1-5. Carnegie Library for Local History, Boulder, CO.
41 “Land Acknowledgement.” City of Boulder. https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/land-acknowledgment
42 Michael D. Troyer, “Colorado Territory,” Colorado Encyclopedia, last modified August 01, 2020, https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/colorado-territory
43 Whitacre. Ibid
44 Boulder Survey of Historic Places. Ibid.
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 12 of 22
Figure 11. Glover’s bird’s eye view map of Boulder from 1874 extended to the city limits at 18th Street.45 The house highlighted
is possibly 1836 Pearl St.
PURPOSE AND CRITERIA FOR THE BOARD’S DECISION
Section 9-11-5(c), Public Hearing Before the Landmarks Board, B.R.C. 1981, specifies that in their review of an
application for local landmark designation, the landmarks board shall determine whether the proposed designation
conforms with the purposes and standards in Section 9-11-1, Purpose and Legislative Intent, and Section 9-11-2, City
Council May Designate or Amend Landmarks and Historic Districts. The Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks
(link) was adopted by the Landmarks Board on Sept. 17, 1975.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The following is a result of staff’s research of the property relative to the Significance Criteria for Individual
Landmarks (link).
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE:
Summary: The house located at 1836 Pearl St. meets the following historic significance criteria.
1. Date of Construction: pre-1880
Elaboration: Prior to 1879, James Wilson owned the property, though it is not clear if the house was constructed
at that time. The 1881 Freeze map 46 notes H.H. Harris as owner of Lot 2 Block 73 of the East Boulder Addition and
the Boulder County Herald reported improvements to Harris’ house in 1880. The first city directory in Boulder
was published in 1883 and lists James and Estella Bemis as residents of 1836 Pearl St.
45 “Glover's bird's eye view of Boulder City, Colorado.” 1874. Call No. MAP CITY 1874-1. Carnegie Library for Local History.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A76612
46 Freeze, Samuel. “City of Boulder map.” 1880-1881. Call No. MAP CITY 1880-1. Carnegie Library for Local History, Boulder.
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A58751
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 13 of 22
2. Association with Persons or Events: Harris, Bemis, Baker, Murphy and Maydew families
Elaboration: The property is associated with early Boulder residents Henry and Ella Harris and James and Estelle
Bemis. Harris had a transfer team and Bemis was a Justice of the Peace and later janitor at CU.
The Baker family lived here between 1896 and 1913. Edwin Baker was a sexton for the Presbyterian Church and
lived with his daughters Marion Sutton and Belle Baker. Marion was a Civil War widow and worked as a
housekeeper and Belle worked as a music teacher.
Thelma Maydew is the property’s longest resident, living here for more than six decades starting in 1930 until her
death at age 91 in 1996. Her parents, David (Hal) and Alma Maydew, rented the house before purchasing it in
1931. Her father, Hal, worked as a house carpenter. Thelma, her mother, Alma, and sister Cuba and cousin Clella
worked as laundresses, while a brother and another sister worked for an oil company.
3. Distinction in the Development of the Community: Urban Frontier 47
Elaboration: The house appears to have been constructed in the first decade of the city of Boulder’s existence.
The house is located on east Pearl Street, historically referred to as the "East End", which developed as a mixed-
use area of commercial, industrial, and residential uses. The East Pearl Street commercial area served the
Whittier neighborhood, while at the same time providing residence to a number of families. The continued
relationship between the historic commercial and residential structures represents the mixed-use character of
the East Pearl area and the development pattern of secondary commercial areas in Boulder near the turn of the
century. The house represents the area’s earlies period of growth and development.
4. Recognition by Authorities: Front Range Research Associates, Inc., Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board
Elaboration: The property was surveyed in 1988 and found to be in fair condition with moderate alterations
(“stucco; porch has been remodeled”). The historical background states:
In 1883, this was the home of James G. and Estella Bemis; Bemis worked as a city clerk. An inscription on the back
of an old photograph of James Bemis states he was an “old-timer” in Boulder, and that in about 1895 worked as a
janitor at the university. By 1901, this was the home of Edwin Baker, sexton at the Presbyterian church (SW corner
of 16th and Walnut); and Belle Baker, a teacher. By 1913, it was the home of Thomas and Hettie Stewart; Thomas
Stewart worked as a meat cutter.
The survey found the building to have architectural significance, stating: “Although the building has been
remodeled, it represents Boulder’s early vernacular houses, and was once the home of early Boulder residents,
James and Estella Bemis.”
In 1994, the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board initiated historic district designation of an area along east
Pearl Street, including the property at 1836 Pearl St. The nomination summarizes the significance of the property
as:
1836 Pearl: c. 1876. Vernacular Masonry, Front Gable.
This house was one of the first residences on East Pearl Street. Although the building has been remodeled, it
represents Boulder's early vernacular housing, and was once the home of early Boulder residents, James and
Estella Bemis and Belle and Edwin Baker. Moderate alterations: stucco; porch remodeled.
47 Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board Memo dated Jan. 4, 1995.
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 14 of 22
In 1999, this property was nominated along with twenty-three others as Structures of Merit. The nomination
provides the following:
The 1800 and 1900 blocks of Pearl are characterized by a mix of residential with neighborhood commercial
structures. The house side of the 1800 block has three historic residential structures set back from the
sidewalk, with grass front yards. This historic setback pattern reflects the co-existing interplay of residential
and commercial in the East End, and should be carefully protected. Research shows that the entire south side
of the 1800 block of Pearl was residential.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Summary: The house at 1836 Pearl St. meets the following architectural significance criteria.
1. Recognized Period or Style: Vernacular Masonry
Elaboration: The house is an example of Vernacular Masonry construction with Craftsman elements,
evidenced though its steeply gabled roof, segmental arched window openings, tapered porch supports and
half-timbering. The building retains a high degree of architectural integrity.
2. Architect or Builder of Prominence: Unknown
Elaboration: The builder of this house is unknown.
3. Artistic Merit: None observed
4. Example of the Uncommon: Pre-1880 construction
Elaboration: A This house dates from the city of Boulder’s earliest period of European settlement and is one
of the few remaining 19th century houses along east Pearl Street.
5. Indigenous Qualities: The c.1922-1929 porch is constructed of local fieldstone.
ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Summary: The house located at 1836 Pearl St. meets the following environmental significance criteria.
1. Site Characteristics: Historically, the property had a lawn in the deep setback and a mature tree along the
alley. Today, the site has a traditional setback from the sidewalk.
2. Compatibility with Site: The scale and massing of the building and its overall site characteristics are
compatible with its surrounding mixed use context.
3. Geographic Importance: This house is a familiar visual landmark along east Pearl Street.
4. Environmental Appropriateness: Mixed-Use Character
Elaboration: The area has historically been a mix of commercial and residential properties.
5. Area Integrity: From 1928 through 1978, this area was zoned for commercial/ industrial type uses; in 1978,
the area was re-zoned high density residential, redeveloping (HR-X) from 18th Street to 21st Street and
remained industrial from 21st Street to the east. In 1982, the area was re-zoned mixed-use, redeveloping
(MU-X) from 18th Street to Folsom. The changes in zoning designations over the years have increased
development pressures along this portion of Pearl Street, altering many of the historic blockfaces in the area.
In particular, many of the once existing residential buildings were demolished and replaced with commercial
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 15 of 22
structures, or existing historic buildings were dramatically altered. The north side of the 1800 and 1900
blocks of Pearl Street, in particular, still retains historic integrity despite the various pressures over the
years.48
LANDMARK NAME
Staff recommends the property be known as the Thelma Maydew House to recognize Thelma Eleanor Maydew, the
property’s longest resident, living here for nearly seven decades starting in 1928 until her death at age 91 in 1996.
This is consistent with the Landmark Board’s Guidelines for Names of Landmarked Structures and Sites (1988) and
the National Register of Historic Places Guidelines for Designation. See Guidelines for Names of Landmarked
Structures and Sites (link).
LANDMARK BOUNDARY
Staff recommends that the boundary be established to encompass the northwest portion of the property, measured
from the south (rear) and east (side) eaves of the relocated building. Starting from the northwest corner of the
property, the rectangular boundary would extend 26’4 feet along the north property line, and then turn and continue
48’6 feet south to the southeast corner of the building (measured in plan). The boundary would then return 26’4 feet
to the west, and follow the west property line to the northeast corner of the lot. This boundary would encompass the
pre-1883 house, views from the public right-of-way, and exclude the contemporary development on the site. This is
consistent with current and past practices and the National Register Guidelines for establishing landmark boundaries.
This boundary is supported by the property owners.
Figure 1. 1836 Pearl St., proposed Landmark boundary (dotted yellow line).
48 Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board Memo, Nov. 17, 1994
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 16 of 22
PROPOSED PLAQUE LANGUAGE (LIMITED TO 350 CHARACTERS, INCL. SPACES)
Thelma Maydew House
Pre-1880
This house is named for the property’s longest resident, who lived here for nearly seven decades (1921-1996) until
her death at age 91. Born in Riverton, NE in 1904, Ms. Maydew came to Boulder in 1921 and was a member of the
First United Methodist Church and an avid gardener.
Designated a City of Boulder Landmark in 2024
FINDINGS
The Landmarks Board finds, based upon the application and evidence presented, that the proposed designation
application is consistent with the purposes and standards of the Historic Preservation Ordinance, in that:
1. The designation of a portion of the property at 1836 Pearl St. will protect, enhance, and perpetuate a
property reminiscent of a past era of history and preserve an important example of Boulder’s historic
architecture.
2. The proposed designation will maintain an appropriate setting and environment for the building, and
enhance property values, stabilize the neighborhood, promote tourist trade and interest, and foster
knowledge of the city’s living heritage.
NEXT STEPS
Within 45 days of the hearing date, the Landmarks Board must adopt specific written findings and conclusions
approving, approving with modifications, or disapproving the application. Should the board disapprove the
application, the board must notify the City Council of that action within 30 days of the hearing date. City Council may
call up a decision disapproving a designation. Should an application be disapproved, the same application may not be
submitted for a period of one year.
If the board finds that the proposed designation conforms to Sections 9-11-1 and 9-11-2, B.R.C. 1981, it shall adopt
specific findings and conclusions approving or modifying and approving the application. If the board approves the
proposed designation, the application will be forwarded to the City Council for review in a public hearing no more
than 100 days from the Landmark Board’s decision recommending designation.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Application Materials
B: Real Estate Appraisal Card (link)
C: Historic Building Inventory Form, 1836 Pearl St. (link)
D: Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks (link)
E: Guidelines for Names of Landmarked Structures and Sites (link)
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 17 of 22
Application for Individual Landmark
Name of Building: 1836 Pearl Street
Address: 1836 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302
Owner(s): Gary Hulse
Address(es): PO Box 18114, Boulder, CO 80308
Applicant: Chris Hulse
Address: PO Box 18114, Boulder, CO 80308
Date of Construction: c.1880
Type of Construction: Wood and Masonry
Architectural Style/ Period: Vernacular Masonry
Architect/ Builder: Unknown
Condition of Exterior: Poor
Date: 1 /30/19
Phone: 720.556.3043
Phone: 720.556.3043
Additions/ Alterations to Exterior: North porch, e)(terior stucco finish & south frame addn.
Date of Alteration(s) / Addition(s): 1922 -1929 (porch & south frame), ext. stucco finish?
Please attach a copy of the legal description of the property.
Fee $25 (if applicable)
A filing fee of $25.00 is required to file an application for designation of an individual landmark.
Should the Landmarks Board initiate designation of a property or area, there is no fee involved.
I certify that the ation and exhibits herewith submitted are true and correct to the best ofmy knowledge.
Signature:
Address: 1836 Pearl Street, Boulder, co 80302
Designation initiated by: Chris Hulse -
A
pp licant Date: 1/30/19
Item 5A - 1836 Pearl Street Memo Page 18 of 22
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