Gianella Building
Year Listed: 2004
County: Las Animas County
Status: ALERT
Context: Commercial
Date Constructed: 1912
Significance:
The Luigi Gianella Building, also known as the Aguilar State Bank building, represents the success of a southern Colorado community and its mostly European immigrants to control their own affairs, outside the paternalistic company town model of the time. The Gianella Building was reportedly designed by Antonio Lo Presto and built of native sandstone by Italian stonemasons. It was named after Luigi Gianella, the owner and bank director. The only bank in the history of Aguilar, and only one of two remaining multi-story buildings on Aguilar's Main Street, the Aguilar State Bank operated from 1912 to 1927. As coal mining declined, so did the population and bustle of Aguilar.
Threat When Listed:
No roof, instability of walls
Since Listing:
Colorado Preservation, Inc. helped Aguilar build a support network for the project that now boasts nearly 150 individuals and organizations. Colorado Preservation, Inc. has been working with the out-of-state owner and supporters to develop a future plan for the site. The building was listed on the State Register of Historic Places in 2005. In the meantime, with the owner's permission and partial funding, the Apishapa Valley Historical Society was awarded a grant from the State Historical Fund for a Historic Structure Assessment, now completed. The assessment presents a preservation plan and a strategy to maintain and preserve the existing fabric of the building. If rehabilitated, there would be more than 6,000 square feet of usable space. One possibility is to stabilize the building as a protected ruin and use it as an open-aired community park. The Town of Aguilar has agreed to take ownership of the building if agreeable terms can be reached with the owner. The local historical society is currently completing a survey of historic resources along the main street in Aguilar.
Related Links:
Apishipa Valley Historical Society
Last Updated:
July 2008