Quammen House - 1714 7th Avenue

 Print Listing Historical Name - Zimmerman House
Style - Bungalow
Built Year - 1915
State ID - 5WL.5871

Description - The west-facing bungalow at 1714 7th Avenue has a gable-on-hip roof covered with composition shingles, wood shingle clad walls, and a concrete foundation. The façade has a prominent porch with a gabled roof and half-timbering and a pair of diamond light windows covered with aluminum storm windows under the gable end. The porch has been enclosed, but the original squared columns on massive brick piers are still visible; three concrete steps with wrought-iron railing lead to the centered front door. The north elevation has a ribbon of three one-over-one windows as well as a single one-over-over-one window. An evergreen hedge conceals most of the south elevation, but two brick chimneys and a gabled dormer with decorative woodwork and a ribbon of three single-light windows are visible. The rear (east) elevation of the home is likewise concealed by a privacy fence.

Historical Background - Greeley City Directories list R.R. Long, a teacher at Colorado Teacher’s College (later the University of Northern Colorado), his wife Charlotte, and their family as the first occupants of 1714 7th Avenue in 1920. The Longs lived in the home through approximately 1926. E.E. and Betty Mohr resided there in 1928; Mr. Mohr was a professor of music at the college. In 1930, Arthur F. Zimmerman, a history professor at the college, his wife Edna, and their four children moved into the home. Born October 15, 1892, in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Zimmerman received a B.A. from McKendree College in Illinois in 1917, a M.A. from Columbia in 1919, and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1928. He married his wife on July 14, 1920, in Greenville, Illinois, and he taught in Santiago, Chile, at Santiago College and the University of Illinois prior to moving to Greeley. In 1928, Dr. Zimmerman joined the faculty at the college; he was appointed as chair as the Division of Social Studies in 1929. He became the director of the Graduate School in 1938. From 1942-43, Dr. Zimmerman was an acting professor of history at Stanford University. Specializing in South American history, Dr. Zimmerman published many scholarly articles. Dr. Zimmerman was also a minister of the Methodist Church; he received a theology degree from Drew Theological Seminary in 1920. He served as chaplain of the college from 1932-1955. The Zimmerman’s resided at 1714 7th Avenue until approximately 1944; Dr. Zimmerman died in February of 1962. In 1946, L.E. and Marian Hockett lived in the home; Mrs. Earl Hoefs resided at the address in 1948. From 1950-1957, Eugene and Elsie Gooden lived at 1714 7th Avenue and rented a room to college students. In 1959, Francis R. and Verla G. Quammen moved into the house. Mr. Quammen was born on December 27, 1914, in Velva, North Dakota; Mrs. Quammen was also born in North Dakota, in Voltaire on August 17, 1914. The couple married on August 15, 1942, and moved to Greeley in 1946. Mr. Quammen served in the Army during World War II from 1941-1946. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colorado State College of Education (later the University of Northern Colorado) and also did graduate work at the University of Minnesota and Syracuse University. He taught economics and sociology at UNC from 1947-1980. The Quammens attended Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Greeley. Mr. Quammen passed away on March 22, 1987; according to City Directories, Mrs. Quammen lived in the home as long as the year 2002. The couple’s son, Scott Quammen, is now listed as the homeowner and occupant.