Durango High School - Durango, CO - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

"Extensively ornamented with terra cotta, high artistic values are embodied in this three-story, buff brick building. Constructed in 1917, it served as the city’s only high school until 1976. Designed by the Colorado Springs architectural firm of Thomas MacLaren and Charles Thomas, the Classical Revival style building is the only collaborative effort in Durango by these two important architects." (from (visit link) )

The building is in excellent condition as it is now the School Administration building for District 9-R. Their Mission Statement is, "The mission of Durango School District 9-R, an innovative educational system committed to excellence, is to ensure each student develops the skills and attributes for lifelong learning and has the ability to compete and contribute in the global community, by guaranteeing equitable educational opportunities in a safe and healthy environment."

"Thomas MacLaren was born in Scotland, on February 19, 1863. He received his education at the Royal Academy of London and South Kensington School of Art at Edinburgh. For health reasons, MacLaren moved to Colorado Springs in 1894. His architectural work spanned 34 years during which he worked on his own as well as with several associates. These included Charles E. Thomas, T.P. Barber, and Thomas D. Hetherington. He died on December 4, 1928, after an operation for stomach ulcers. MacLaren left his estate, valued at $75,000, to the University of Colorado with the expressed hope that it would lead to the establishment of an architectural department.

MacLaren was a classically trained architect who was a master at traditional European forms, designing buildings in the Classical, Gothic, or Italian Renaissance mode. He was also influenced by the Mission architecture of California. MacLaren designed many residences, particularly in the Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs areas. While in partnership with Charles Thomas, he designed Claremont (National Register listed) in Colorado Springs. This spacious residence is a scaled-down version of the Grand Trianon at Versailles. Churches, schools, libraries and other public buildings formed a substantial part of MacLaren's portfolio. He designed churches in La Junta, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, as well as the Christ Episcopal Church in Cañon City (National Register listed). His Carnegie-funded library projects include buildings in Colorado Springs, Salida, Manitou Springs (with Charles Thomas), and Boulder (all National Register listed). In addition to the 1901 Ivywild School in Colorado Springs, MacLaren designed a significant number of school buildings late in his career, including: St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs; Manitou High School in Manitou Springs; Colorado Springs' North, West, and South junior high schools; the Inez Johnson Lewis School in Monument (National Register listed); and Holy Rosary School in Denver." (from (visit link) ). Also see (visit link) .

Street address: 201 East 12th Street Durango, CO USA USA County / Borough / Parish: La Plata Year listed: 2001 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949, 1950-1974 Historic function: Education Current function: Education Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   09/28/2011 kingbee visited it