FALL RIVER ROAD, WILLOW PARK COOK AND MESS HALL HAER No. C0-73-A (Willow Park Patrol Cabin) Rocky Mountain National Park Rockey Mountain National Park Roads & Bridges I' Fall River Road Estes Park vie Larimer County Colorado

WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA

HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C St. NW Washington, DC 20240 HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD

FALL RIVER ROAD, WILLOW PARK COOK AND MESS HALL (Willow Park Patrol Cabin)

HAER No. CO-73-A

LOCATION: Approximately 140 yards from Fall River Road and approximately 50 yards west of Willow Park Stable.

DATE OF CONSTRUCTION: 1923

ARCHITECT/ DESIGNER: Plans were designed by members of the National Park Service, Landscape Division, Los Angeles Landscape Engineering Division under the supervision of Daniel P. Hull, Landscape Architect.

PRESENT OWNER: U.S. Government

UTM: Quad: Trail Ridge, Colorado 13/43 7780/44 75880

SIGNIFICANCE: This is an excellent example of early National Park Service rustic architecture. Log walls with double-saddle notching and sawn log ends are significant aspects of the unaltered structure, which contributes to the historical and architectural character of the National Park Service rustic architecture theme. FALL RIVER ROAD, WILLOW PARK COOK AND MESS HALL HAER No. CO-73-A (Page 2)

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The Willow Park Cook and Mess Hall was originally built to serve crews maintaining the Fall River Road. The name was changed to Willow Park Patrol Cabin when it began to be used for ranger purposes. Since 1932, when Trail Ridge Road opened, it has seen little use.

ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION

This is an excellent example of early National Park Service rustic architecture. Log walls with double­ saddle notching and sawn log ends are significant aspects of the unaltered structure, which contributes to the historical and architectural character of the National Park Service rustic architecture theme.

The site is open with native firs, grasses, and soils. A meadow and the front facade of the cabin are to the southeast.

This log cabin has two rooms separated by a log partition. The plan is rectangular, oriented northwest and southeast. The log walls are double saddle-notched with sawn log ends tapering in towards the building from the bottom. The interior has split sapling chinking. The cabin has a gabled roof covered with cedar shingles. The condition of the fabric is fair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTERIOR

Foundation: Low, 0'-0" to 3'-0", ofuncoursed fieldstone.

Wall Construction: Walls are constructed of logs with saddle-notching at the comers. Sawn log ends taper in toward the building from the bottom. Log ends from the interior partition wall extend from the front facade and from the north side.

Structural Systems: Log

Porches, Stoops, Etc.: There are two five-step wood stoops, both on the front elevation.

Openings, Doorways, and Windows: The two doors are single doorways made of vertical wood boards with exterior batts. They are both on the front elevation. There is also one attic entrance at the northeast gable end. The windows are of two types: seven are six-beside-six sliders (also known as double six-light sliding sash windows), and one is a six-over-six double hung sash. FALL RIVER ROAD, WILLOW PARK COOK AND MESS HALL HAER No. C0-73-A (Page 3)

Roof-Shape and Covering: Gabled roof with cedar shingles doubled every fifth course, and with exposed log rafter ends. There is 1" sheathing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INTERIOR

Floor Plans: The building plan is rectangular, containing two rooms that are currently vacant. The overall dimensions are 32'-0" x 16'-0".

Stairways: Not applicable.

Flooring: Tongue and groove wood flooring.

Wall and Ceiling Finishes: All are exposed log frame. FALL RIVER ROAD, WILLOW PARK COOK AND MESS HALL HAER No. CO-73-A (Page 4)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Atkins, Ferrel. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination." Denver, Colorado: National Park Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Office, July 1975.

Mc Williams, Carl and Karen. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination." Denver, Colorado: National Park Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Office, June 1987.

National Park Service. "Classified Structure Field Inventory Report." List of Classified Structures. Denver, CO: Rocky Mountain Regional Office, 1976, 1985.

Rocky Mountain National Park. Building Maintenance Files.

"Superintendent's Annual Reports." Rocky Mountain National Park, 1915-1930.