Endangered Places Announcement
Members of the New Raymer community have begun work on some projects to highlight the history, stories, and the people of the area. One of these efforts received a special announcement made at the Community Building in New Raymer on the evening of Monday, April 10, 2017. Centre Avenue in New Raymer was selected to be one of the Most Endangered Places in Colorado for 2017 by the Colorado Preservation, Inc. along with two other locations in the state. The evening also included the Prairie Lions Club hosting a speech competition for local students as well as a special complimentary spaghetti dinner served by the Lions Club to celebrate their newly remodeled kitchen in the community center.
Julie Johnson, who grew up in the area, and Jennifer Orrigo Charles, both with CPI, came out from Denver to inform residents of how Centre Avenue came to be nominated and selected as one of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places and what it means to be on this list. You can learn more about CPI and this designation on their website at www.coloradopreservation.org. Mark Rodman with History Colorado also provided residents an overview of the State Historical Fund and how the restoration of Centre Avenue may benefit the community. Earlier in the day, a few residents and former residents were interviewed by Peter Derk, a librarian from the High Plains Library District, for preservation at the library in Greeley. The interviews will also be available on the library’s website.
As part of the Most Endangered Places designation, CBS Denver came out to interview some individuals who have grown up in or near New Raymer on January 4th. The video that was put together will run on CBS this year as part of an ongoing series. It is the story of a by-gone era when now-vacant buildings were the hub of the Town of Raymer. The buildings were once a drug store, a bank, a tavern, a gas station and the post office. There once were many more businesses, including 3 gas stations, appliance and tractor dealerships, a hardware store, hotels, a bank, a grocery store and more. A link to the video can be found on www.friendsofraymer.com.
The Town of Raymer was originally platted in 1910 and was a business center for northeastern Colorado. It was named for a civil engineer who helped build the railroad from Sterling to Cheyenne in 1887. As with many of the other towns along this railroad line, the historic buildings that once filled these towns are in danger of falling apart or of being torn down. In order to ensure that some of these buildings remain intact, the Town of New Raymer plans to create a historic district and will apply for grants to restore the buildings along Centre Avenue. The restoration project includes plans for a museum and will hopefully bring back some of the charm and activity that these buildings once enjoyed.
Residents, including former residents, are welcome to get involved in these exciting projects. Those who remember the town of years ago are invited to share stories or assist in other ways to restore Centre Avenue. There will be a few fundraising events coming up which will promote this historical project. Those residents who are anxious to improve the appearance of Centre Avenue are also welcome to contribute to this project. The group Friends of Raymer was started to support and to coordinate the volunteers who would like to get involved. You can contact them or get more information at www.friendsofraymer.com. In addition, those who are involved in this project have a Facebook group, also called Friends of Raymer and all are welcome to join.
Submitted to the Lost Creek Guide by Trina Thompson Kauk.
Photo Credit: Talia Siens
