2 Colorado buildings nominated for National Register of Historic Places
KDVR Fox 31
DENVER (KDVR) -- Two properties in Colorado are being considered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
According to the National Park Service, the National Register of Historic Places is the official list of historic places across the country that are worthy of preservation.
Two sites in Colorado have been nominated for the listing: The Owl Club of Denver located at 2815 Madison St., and the Manzanola United Methodist Church located at 115 Park Street in Manzanola, a town in Otero County.
The Owl Club of Denver
The Owl Club of Denver was founded in 1941 to "recognize the academic excellence of young African American women from Denver," according to History Colorado, as well as provide scholarships and community support for young women who had the will but were limited in opportunities at the time.
The club continues to do so today. According to the website, the annual Debutante Cotillion honors young women who are graduating high school and honors them for their exemplary character, academic accomplishments, dedication to community service and leadership qualities.
Today, over 1,600 women have been presented as Owl Club Debutantes. The 74th Debutante Cotillion is scheduled for June 7, 2025.
Manzanola United Methodist Church
The local congregation had been worshipping out of a local elementary school for 15 years before the Manzanola United Methodist Church was built in 1908, according to History Colorado.
"In 1915 the church took on a whole new life when it became the heart of a Black homesteader community known as The Dry, which was one of two such settlements in Colorado, the other being Dearfield in Northeast Colorado," a 2022 History Colorado press release states.
The congregation grew from 38 members in 1898 to 332 in 1933, according to the Otero County website. Today, the church is considered to be the sole remaining structure of The Dry.
The church is listed on the Otero County Register of Historic Places and recently received grants to undergo repairs and renovations.
National Park Service seeking public comment
The NPS is asking the public for comments about the significance of the properties.
Those interested in submitting their comments can do so online by emailing National_Register_Submissions@nps.gov with a subject line saying "public comment on..." and the name of the property. Comments can also be submitted through the mail by sending a letter to the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, MS 7228, Washington, DC 20240.
According to the Federal Register, information included in the comment, like personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time.
Comments are due by Nov. 13.