Historic survey of Camp George West to
evaluate National Register eligibility
December 10, 1991 

By Jill Jamieson-Nichols

Camp George West -- originally a rifle range for the Colorado National Guard -- will undergo a historic survey that will include an evaluation of whether any of its buildings might be eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The city of Golden has been selected to administer a $30,000 Department of the Army grant for the project, which will be done by consultant Front Range Associates, Inc. Front Range completed a historic survey of downtown Golden buildings in 1989.

The project is unique to the state -- and could serve as a national model -- in that it involves an interagency agreement between the city, Army, state historical society and park service, according to Christine Whitacre, historian for the National Park Service Division of Cultural Resources.

It is part of the Legacy Resource Management Program for Cultural Resources, established by Congress earlier this year to "promote, manage, research, conserve and restore the priceless biological, geophysical and historical resources which exist on public lands, facilities or property held by the Department of Defense."

The survey itself will be completed by June, with any possible nominations for national register designation done by the end of August.

With some Army camps across the country being declared surplus properties, there is an interest in reviewing their historical significance in determining if they meet qualifications for national register designation, said City Planner Chuck Hearn.

The survey will evaluate historic value of the Camp George West buildings, as well as describe significant architectural elements.

According to a historical review by Forum Associates Inc. in 1987, Camp George West started with the purchase in 1903 of 40 acres from the Denver Rifle Club. For many years, it was the only rifle range in Colorado.

Other parcels of land were added over the years, and old and new native stone buildings eventually made for a permanent Colorado National Guard campsite.

This "State Rifle Range" was renamed Camp George West in 1934 in honor of Brigadier General George West, adjutant general of Colorado from 1887 to 1889 (and founder of the Golden Transcript). According to Forum Associates' review, the name change was "promulgated by then Adjutant General of Colorado Brigadier General Neil Kimball," West's grandson.

Kimball was also a publisher of the Transcript.

Camp George West was used extensively by the Army during World Wars I and II, as well as during the public works programs of the depression.

Many of the half-stone buildings were constructed by the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s. The earliest buildings are believed to date to1915.

As a "certified local government" for administration of grants for historical projects, the city was asked by the Colorado Historical Society to participate in the survey. The city's Historic Preservation Board and staff will work in cooperation with the consultants, National Park Service and Army.

City Council last week approved a contract with Front Range Research Associates for administration of the survey.

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