Hereford School

By Colorado Preservation, Inc. | Published: September 29, 2021

Open House at Historic Hereford School

Hereford School, circa 1940s

You are invited to an open house and housewarming party at the historic Hereford School in the tiny town of Hereford on the northeastern plains near the Wyoming border on Sat., Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hereford School is owned by fine arts consultant and long-time historic preservation supporter Elizabeth Schlosser, who nominated the property to Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2020. Although the school was not listed after the highly competitive nomination process, it is a unique and one-of-a-kind school building with an exciting history deserving of preservation.

Hereford School is not just another abandoned eastern plains schoolhouse but was the centerpiece of a Utopian inspired ensemble of three architect-designed buildings influenced by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The school’s township was purchased by Frederick Findeisen of Chicago in 1925, platted as part of a colony with three primary buildings designed in the prairie school style by architect John van Bergen, including a Community Center, Hereford Inn, and Hereford School. The Inn is a single-family home, and the Community Center is abandoned and threatened with demolition. The overall site is relatively undisturbed and intact. The owner converted part of the school building to a residence and photography studio about 20 years ago. The site has much potential as an educational, environmental, and historical site near Pawnee National Grasslands.

The building is located at 67300 Circle Drive. For information about the open house, contact [email protected].

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