Question for anyone that may know about historical Boulder... (homes, high school)

[ben.hereford]

/If you've ever hiked the Red Rocks trail, there is a strange concrete structure on the very side of the hill, looks like it was burned down a very long time ago. The only remnants are a melted concrete fireplace and the decaying concrete structure (and metal spikes at the corners).

What is this thing?? I haven't found anything online about it.

[pcw57]

On the north or south side of Mapleton Avenue? If north, is it just west of the hospital property? If so, it was a small (maybe 12' x 12', if memory serves) concrete hut with a wood door, and a fireplace, as you mentioned. Perhaps a window or two?

In the late 60s & early 70s, we'd camp out in there every now and then. Nobody seemed to care about the place, and nobody every chased us out. We kept it swept out and cleaned up and the locals probably were so accustomed to it that they never noticed it.

If that's not the place you're describing, then I don't know. We'd climb Red Rocks all the time (before the homes were built beneath it) and I don't remember any concrete structures (or remnants) at or near the rocks themselves.

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by pcw57

On the north or south side of Mapleton Avenue? If north, is it just west of the hospital property? If so, it was a small (maybe 12' x 12', if memory serves) concrete hut with a wood door, and a fireplace, as you mentioned. Perhaps a window or two?

@ pcw - I agree w/you, when I lived in Boulder I hiked Red Rocks often and I don't recall the remnants of a "strange concrete structure" there. Doesn't mean there isn't one, but I don't remember it.
The one you describe is the stone structure above the Mt. Sanitas valley trail to the west of the old Memorial Hospital north of Mapleton. No more wood door, at least not since the early 80s. I've always wondered what it was/who built it. Over the years it became a drinking hangout for high school kids. There was always a lot of broken glass and litter. I stopped going there and haven't been in a few years. It kind of creeped me out a little... I thought I'd find a dead body (or at least drunk) in there.
I found a photo on the OSMP site but they don't give much info: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index...67&Itemid=3654

[qfrost]

Fascinating link. Can't wait to take the exploration myself.

[ben.hereford]

Originally Posted by pcw57

On the north or south side of Mapleton Avenue? If north, is it just west of the hospital property? If so, it was a small (maybe 12' x 12', if memory serves) concrete hut with a wood door, and a fireplace, as you mentioned. Perhaps a window or two?

In the late 60s & early 70s, we'd camp out in there every now and then. Nobody seemed to care about the place, and nobody every chased us out. We kept it swept out and cleaned up and the locals probably were so accustomed to it that they never noticed it.

If that's not the place you're describing, then I don't know. We'd climb Red Rocks all the time (before the homes were built beneath it) and I don't remember any concrete structures (or remnants) at or near the rocks themselves.

-I'm thinking this is probably what I'm referring to. 12' sides sounds about right. It really caught/catches my attention because it's basically just a decaying foundation of something that was once there. If anyone takes the short trip to get to it (it's really right above pearl near the trailhead), look for that creepy old concrete fireplace that's there. It's very noticeable in all its melted concrete glory..

[pcw57]

Ben, if you're referring to something above Pearl Street, then we're talking about different sites. I was referring to a very specific site that is north of Mapleton Avenue and west of 4th Street, near the mouth of Sunshine Canyon and the southern foot of Dakota Ridge at the southwestern corner of the hospital property. But nowhere near the foot of Pearl Street, which terminates into Canyon Blvd at the mouth of Boulder Canyon. Perhaps we're talking two different but similar structures? I just don't recall anything south of Red Rocks, but that certainly doesn't mean there isn't/wasn't something there that I'm not familiar with.

[Hipchik]

Neditate posted a link to a photo in post #3...

[pcw57]

Hipchik, the photos on that website don't include the concrete hut, which was not built out of stone, but had fairly smooth concrete walls, a fireplace, a door, and a window or two (missing the glass?), as I recall.