SOUTH PUEBLO HISTORIC CONTEXT

The South Pueblo Historic Context Study is the third of a larger citywide historic preservation project: the Neighborhood Heritage Enhancement (NHE) program. In 2003, the city's Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and neighborhood groups began working on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood history to help residents landmark their homes, appreciate their local past, and even assist neighborhood planning initiatives.

The South Pueblo project will develop a neighborhood history for the areas commonly referred to as The Blocks and Mesa Junction, which are perched on the short mesas above the Arkansas River immediately south of Downtown Pueblo. The area served as its own municipality until 1886, when it merged with Pueblo, developing some of the most interesting subdivision patterns and architecture seen in southern Colorado.

 Study Significance & Presentation Information

The study will provide, planning, transportation, social, cultural, and architectural development of the area; in other words, the study provides the story of South Pueblo with all of its complex elements. The South Pueblo study will also be the 1st effort to provide a Neighborhood Preservation Plan that aims to help residents preserve the unique historic character of their homes and neighborhood. The study was presented to the public May 21, 2011 at the Rawlings Library. Read an article about the study ran in the June 12, 2011 issue of the Pueblo Chieftain.

The South Pueblo Historic Context Project is now complete! A copy of the study was given to Historic Pueblo Inc. at their July meeting along with a letter of thanks from City Councilmen Leroy Garcia and Ray Aguilera (HP donated $500 for the project). The City of Pueblo also thanks History Colorado who provided the grant for the work, and especially Historitecture for their great research and eloquent writing. Copies will be distributed to schools, libraries, and others in July and August. Contact Wade Broadhead at 553-2248 for more information of how to obtain a hard copy of the report.