Mesa Verde Administrative District facts for kids
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Mesa Verde Administrative District
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Superintendent's Residence
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado |
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| Area | 3.17 acres (1.28 ha) |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | NPS Branch of Plans & Design; Jesse Nusbaum |
| Architectural style | Pueblo Revival Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001410 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 28, 1987 |
| Designated NHLD | May 29, 1987 |
The Mesa Verde Administrative District is a special group of six buildings located inside Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. These buildings were constructed between 1921 and 1927. They were designed in the Pueblo Revival style, which looks like traditional Native American Pueblo buildings.
These structures were built by the National Park Service to help manage the park. They are found on Chapin Mesa. In 1987, these buildings were recognized as a National Historic Landmark District because of their important history and unique design.
How the Park Buildings Came to Be
Mesa Verde National Park was created in 1906. Its main purpose was to protect amazing ancient ruins and archaeological sites. These sites were built by the Ancestral Puebloans, who lived in southwestern Colorado long ago.
The National Park Service (NPS) was started in 1916. It was created to manage all of America's growing national parks. The NPS began to take a bigger role at Mesa Verde around 1921. This was when an archaeologist named Jesse Nussbaum became the park's superintendent.
During his time leading the park (from 1921 to 1931), the buildings in the Administrative District were constructed. They were built on Chapin Mesa to help run the park's daily operations.
Building Style and Features
All the buildings in the Mesa Verde Administrative District share a similar look. They are built using sandstone, which is a type of rock. Some of this stone even came from ancient structures within the park.
The walls of these buildings are usually thicker at the bottom and get slightly thinner towards the top. This style is called "battered." The roofs are supported by large wooden beams called vigas. These beams often stick out from the walls.
The wooden parts inside the buildings were made to look like they were crafted with old pioneer tools. The inside walls are covered with plaster, giving them a smooth finish. This unique style helped the buildings blend in with the park's natural and historical setting.
Important Buildings in the District
The Mesa Verde Administrative District includes several key buildings. Each one played an important role in managing the park. These buildings are:
- National Park Headquarters, built in 1923. This was the main office for park operations.
- Chapin Mesa Museum, built between 1923 and 1924. This museum helps visitors learn about the park's history and the Ancestral Puebloans.
- Post Office, built in 1923. This building handled mail for park staff and visitors.
- Ranger Dormitory, built in 1925. This was a living space for park rangers.
- Superintendents Residence, built in 1921. This was the home for the park superintendent.
- Community Building, built in 1927. This building likely served as a gathering place for park staff and visitors.
Over the years, most of these buildings have been changed or made larger. This was done to meet the changing needs of the park's administration. All these buildings are grouped together in an area of about 3 acres (1.2 ha) on Chapin Mesa.
