Rural Resources Survey of Baca County

With funding from the Colorado Historical Society’s State Historical Fund and Preserve America, Colorado Preservation, Inc.has conducted a survey of rural resources in Baca County. Agriculture has been predominant in the economy of the eastern portion of the state since settlement, but no comprehensive survey of agricultural resources has been conducted.  Documenting the rural resources of Eastern Colorado is essential to understanding, preserving, and interpreting the built history of the region as well as laying a foundation for preservation planning, heritage tourism, and economic development.

The Survey:

This project started with a reconnaissance-level survey of all rural built resources more than 50 years old in Baca County. These resources were ranked based on visual impressions of integrity and significance,and 20 of the highest priority resources each county were then surveyed at an intensive level. Survey reports summarize the resources identified and present an overview of the county’s development along with recommendations for additional preservation activities.

The Resources:

The farms and ranches, as well as the railroad facilities that transport their products to market, are an intrinsic part of the heritage and character of Eastern Colorado. The survey included residences, barns, irrigation structures, railroad resources, agricultural processing and storage facilities as well as schools, churches, and crossroad communities.