South Platte Hotel

Year Listed: 2023
County: Jefferson
Construction Date: 1913
Threat When Listed: Demolition by Neglect, Abandonment, Vandalism

The South Platte Hotel is under imminent threat of demolition. It is currently managed by Denver Water, which has owned the area near the confluence of the South Platte River and its North Fork. The South Platte Hotel is located in the North Fork Historic District and was an important stop on the Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad. The hotel has been abandoned and neglected for decades and is vulnerable to vandalism and damage from weather exposure.

“While the Hotel has served many purposes over the years, what remains vital is the significance of the South Platte Hotel in a historic sense and recognizes the critical piece of railroad history that was a dynamic force in the settlement and economic growth of Colorado.” -Elaine Hayden, Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society 

The South Platte Hotel was built in 1913 after the original 1887 building was destroyed by arson. The hotel and townsite are emblematic of Colorado’s narrow gauge railroad history, early tourism and summer cabin communities, and small hotels located along stagecoach and rail lines. Denver Water has owned the site since 1987 but has never gained approval for construction of the Two Forks Dam.

Strong support for preservation exists in the local community and the building has potential for adaptive reuse that supports popular nearby recreational activities which now define the valley and its communities. Potential partners include Jefferson County Historical Commission, Conifer Historical Society and Museum, Denver Water, Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society, Pine/Elk Creek Improvement Association, History Jeffco, and Jefferson County Open Space.

Video Courtesy of CBS4
Additional Links:
South Platte Hotel 8th Grade Assessment

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