oAHPI 403 Off icial eligibility determination Rev. 9/98 (OAHP use only) Date lnitials _ Colonnoo CuLrunnl RESoURcE Sunvev _Determined Eligible- NR _Determined Not Eligible- NR _Determined Eligible- SR Architectural lnventory Form _Determined Not Eligible- SR (Page 1 of 4) _Need Data _Contributes to eligible NR District _Noncontributing to eligible NR District

IDENTIFICATION Resource number: sPT,35 and SPT.113.17 Temporary resource number: 328.EHY County: Pitkin City: Aspen Historic building name: Current building name: Wheeler Opera House Building address: 328 E. Hyman Avenue Aspen 81611 Owner name and address: Citv of Aspen 130 S. Galena Street Aspen CO 81611

il. Geographic lnformation 9. P.M. 6 Township 1O South Range 84 West SE c of SW c of SW c of SW c of Section 10. UTM reference Zone13;342875mE 4 3 3 9 1 6 SmN 11. USGS quad name: Aspen Ouadrangle Year: 1960, Photo Rev. 1987 Map scale: 7.5' x 15' Attach photo copy of appropriate map section. 12. Lot(s): Lots P,O,R,S, Block: B1 Addition: Year of Addition: 13. Boundary Description and Justification: Site is comprised of Lots P-S, Block 81 of the City and Townsite of Aspen, Assessors office Record Number 273707338851' This description was chosen as !

ilt. Architectural Description 14. Building plan (footprint, shape): Square Plan 15. Dimensions in feet: Length x Width 16. Number of stories: 3 17. Primary external wall material(s) (enter no more than two): Sandstone Brick 18. Roof configuration: (enter no more than one): Mansard Roof 19. Primary external roof material (enter no more than one): Metal Roof 20. Special features (enter all that apply): Decorative cornice, Segmental arch windows Resource Number: 5PT.35 / sPT.113.17 Temporary Resource Number: 328.EHY

Architectural Inventory Form (Page 2 oI 4)

21 . General architectural description: The Wheeler Opera House is constructed of Peachblow sandstone, with brick on the rear and west side. lt has a low profile mansard roof, which sits atop an ornate cornice, made of pressed metal. There is a large pediment on the south facade of the building and a smaller arched top pediment on the corner of the building (a third original pediment has been removed,) There is significant data on the building as a result of previous historic structures reports, on file in the Communitv Develooment Deoartment. 22. Architectural style/building type: Late Victorian 23. Landscaping or special setting features: Public park on west side of building 24. Associated buildings, features, or objects: None lV. Architectural History 25. Date of Construction: Estimate Actual 1 889 Source of information: Pitkin County Assessor 26. Architect: W.J. Edrooke Source of information: National Reqister form 27. Builder/Contractor: Peter Wilson Source of information: National Reqister Form 28. Original owner: Jerome B. Wheeler Source of information: Pitkin Countv Assessor 29. Construction history (include description and dates of major additions, alterations, or demolitions): The building has been impacted bv two fl the third floor, has been reconstructed to be in character with the original. Minor exterior alterations have been made and an elevator tower was built on the west side of the structure. 30, Original location X Moved _ Date of move(s):

V. Historical Associations 31. Original use(s): Commerce and Trade, Recreation and Culture, Theater 32. lntermediate use(s): 33. Current use(s): Commerce and Trade, Recreation and Culture, Theater 34. Site type(s): Commercial District Resource Number: 5PT.35 / 5PT.113.17 Temporary Resource Number: 328.EHY

Architectural lnventory Form (Page 3 of 4)

35. Historical background: Constructed in 1889 and named in honor of its owner, Jerome B. Wheeler, one of Aspen's greatest benefactors, A financier from New York, J.B. Wheeler was president of the famous Macv's Department Store. Wheeler invested in several mines in Aspen and was responsible for the construction of other important buildings in town, in particular the Hotel Jerome, The Wheeler Opera House represents the economic confidence and cultural aspirations of a generation of Americans in the era of western mining development. Originally, the building housed the J.B. Wheeler Bank on the first floor. From 1916 to 1965, the ground floor space on Mill Street housed a grocerv store, first owned bv the Beck's and then Beck and Bishop. Due to the fires, the theater space was not in use for

some time, until and Herbert Bayer renovated it in 1949 and again in 1 956. ln the 1980's, the theater was renovated to a more historic appearance, 36. Sources of information: records; Sanborn and Sons lnsurance \4qpgiltgAelq 1980 Citv of Aspen Survev of Historic Sites and Structures vt. Significance 37. Local landmark designation: Yes X No Date of designation: Ord. 57 1 981 Designating authority: Aspen City Council 38. Applicable National Register Criteria:

A. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of our history;

_8. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; xc. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or

_ D. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory.

Oualifies under Criteria Considerations A through G (see Manual) Does not meet any of the above National Register criteria 39. Area(s) of significance: Architecture 40. Period of significance: Late 1800's Silver Mining Era 41. Level of significance: National X State X Local X 42. Statement of significance: The Wheeler Opera House is one of the most important public buildings in Asoen. lt reflects the orowth and success of the town. 43. Assessment of historic physical integrity related to significance: The building is in excellent condition. The elevator addition does not contribute to the structure, but also does not destroy its integrity. Resource Number: sPT.35 / sPT.113.17 Temporary Resource Number: 32B.EHY

Architectural lnventory Form (Page 4 of 4)

Vll. National Registet Eligibility Assessment 44. National Register eligibility field assessment: Eligible X (Listed) Not Eligible _ Need Data _ 45. ls there National Register district potential? Yes X No Discuss: Lies within a locallv desiqnated historic district. lf there is National Register district potential, is this building: Contributing X Noncontributing _ 46. lf the building is in existing National Register district, is it: Contributing _ Noncontributing

Vlll. Recording lnformation 47. Photograph numbers: R7; F32, 36 Negatives filed at: Aspen/Pitkin Community Development Dept. 48. Report title: City pf Aspen 2O0O Update 49. Date(s): 8i2000 50. Recorder(s): Suzannah Reid and Patrick Duffield 51. Organization: Reid Architects 52. Address: 412 North Mill Street, PO Box 1303, Aspen CO 81612 53. Phone number(s): 97O 92O 9225

NOTE: Please attach a sketch map, a photocopy of the USGS quad. map indicating resource location, and photographs.

Colorado Historical Society - Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation 1 300 Broadway, , CO 80203 (303) 866-3395