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Columbine Church of Christ House -
2409 9th Avenue
 Print Listing
Historical Name -
Knittle House
Style -
No Style
Built Year -
1949
State ID -
5WL4045
Description -
The small distinctive dwelling at 2409 9th Avenue measures 24' N-S (across) by 26' E-W (deep). Built of wood frame construction, the house is supported by a low concrete foundation, and its exterior walls are covered with beige colored stucco to grade. The roof is flat, and is covered with rolled grey asphalt roofing material. Parapet walls, with coping, extend above the roof line on the east elevation (façade) and on the north and south (sides) elevations. There is no chimney. The house features a symmetrical façade on the east elevation. A painted white wood-paneled front door, with three upper sash lights, and covered by a silver metal storm door, leads into the house from a 3-step, 6' by 6' concrete porch. The porch and steps are flanked on either side by a black wrought iron railing, and the entry door is flanked on either side by large 15-light fixed-pane windows, with painted white wood frames and surrounds. A pent roof, covered with clay tiles, extends over the front entry door and both windows. Helping to create a horizontal emphasis, the pent roof is a notable architectural feature. The pent roof's clay tiles, combined with the house's stucco wall finish and flat roof, denote a southwestern architectural character; although, the house is not truly representative of any particular style. Windows on the secondary elevations are entirely double-hung sash with painted white wood frames and surrounds. On the elevation, there are two 2/2 double-hung sash windows. On the west (rear) elevation, there are one 2/2, and one 1/2 double-hung sash windows. A rear entry is located at the south end of the west elevation. Here, a white-metal-paneled door leads into the house from a 6' by 4' 2-step concrete stoop.
Historical Background -
Weld County Assessor records and Greeley city directories both indicate that this house was built in 1949. Josephine M. Knittle is listed as the original owner and resident in the directories, between 1950 and 1956. Born Josephine Mary Merryman in Enterprise, Oregon on July 3, 1908, Josephine was the daughter of Herbert and Mary (Putnam) Merryman. She was married to Mr. Knittle (first name unknown) in Greeley, in 1927; however, they later divorced. In 1944, Josephine graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Colorado State Teacher's College (UNC), followed by a Master's degree, with a minor in music, a few years later. She then worked as an art teacher in Greeley public schools for twenty-two years, including the years she lived in this house on 9th Avenue.
On December 24, 1956, Josephine was married to her second husband, Joseph Ben Wesner, in Arizona. She apparently sold and moved from this house at that time. In 1972, Josephine moved to Marana, Arizona, near Tucson, where she was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church. She returned to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2003, where she recently passed away, at age 97, on February 19, 2006. According to Josephine's obituary, during her life she had a great love for animals, particularly horses, and her hobbies included painting and making hand-crafted jewelry. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ben Wesner, and by one son, Marvin Knittle. She was survived by another son, Edward Knittle.
City directories indicate that from 1957 to 2006 this house has been occupied by a progression of relatively short-term residents. At some point, it was acquired by the Columbine Church of Christ which presently maintains it as a rental. Some of the owners/residents have included: William L. Hye (late 1950s); K.I. Southard (early 1960s); Mrs. Molly Martin (early-to-mid-1960s); O.M. Webster (mid 1960s); and Duann O. Littell (late 1960s). More recent occupants, from the 1970s to the present, have included, Mike Brown, Reverend Chester C. Reed, Inez Reed, M. Avery, and B. Luder.
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