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Wermerskirchen House -
2431 9th Avenue
 Print Listing
Historical Name -
Elfeldt House; Lytle House
Style -
Ranch Type
Built Year -
1947
State ID -
5WL4950
Description -
The residence at 2431 9th Avenue is a single-story, rectangular-shaped, Ranch style dwelling, built of concrete block construction. The house measures 33 feet north-south (across) by 25 feet east-west (deep), not including the 8 feet by 7 feet enclosed shed-roofed extension on the west (rear) elevation. The dwelling is supported by a painted pale blue/grey concrete foundation, which extends to about three feet above grade. The foundation wall is penetrated at intervals by 2-light hopper basement windows. The house's walls are made of painted pale blue-grey concrete blocks, with painted dark blue/grey vertical wood siding in the upper gable ends. The side-gabled roof is moderately-pitched, and is covered with grey asphalt composition shingles. The eaves are boxed with painted pale blue/grey wood trim, and there is a red brick chimney located just below the ridge on the west-facing roof slope. A large single-light fixed-pane picture window, with a painted blue wood frame and a concrete sill, penetrates the façade wall to the south of the entry door (east elevation). Elsewhere, the home's windows are entirely 1/1 double-hung sash with painted white wood frames, painted blue wood surrounds, and concrete sills. A painted blue wood-paneled door, with one upper sash light, and covered by a white synthetic storm door, is centered on the façade elevation. This door leads into the house from a 5-step concrete porch which measures 8 feet by 5 feet. The porch is covered by a gable roof supported by two 4 inch by 4 inch wood posts. A stained natural brown solid wood door, covered by a white synthetic storm door, leads into the enclosed gabled extension on the west (rear) elevation. The rear extension is also of concrete block construction, and appears to have been part of the house's original construction.
Historical Background -
Weld County Assessor records indicate that this house was built in 1947; however, the property's address does not begin to appear in Greeley city directories until 1951-1952. Benjamin Eckhardt (who built the house next door at 2425 9th Avenue in 1949 and has lived there continuously from that time to the present) related that this house was built by Charles "Charlie" Elfeldt in the late 1940s. According to Mr. Eckhardt, Elfeldt worked as a building inspector for the City of Greeley. The Elfeldts apparently intended to live in this house, but later, decided to live elsewhere in Greeley. This house, thus initially served as a rental property, through the early 1950s. Two of the families who lived here during these years were headed by Leo C. Wilson, and by Elmer Hein.
Between circa 1955 and the late 1960s, this property was owned and occupied by Mrs. Marquerite T. Lytle. According to Greeley city directories, Mrs. Lytle was the home's only occupant during these years. In 1964, Mrs. Lytle contracted with Ed Weber to build a 22 feet by 24 feet garage southwest of the house. Interestingly, Weber constructed the garage of the same concrete block construction as the house had been built of some years earlier.
Greeley city directories indicate that the property again served primarily as a rental, from the late 1960s to the early 2000s. Some the occupants during these years included: Jerry Lageman (late 1960s); Diana Dunn and James Easter (early 1970s); James A. Utzinger (late 1970s); Doug G. Cassell and Mark A. Stewart (early 1980s); Marsha Crone (mid-1980s); David Kuhlemeier and Christopher Roberts (late 1980s); Shelley Lindstorm, David Remington and Kim Whiting (early 1990s); and Chandra Ellis, Kristie Janssen and Kelly Krisko (mid-to-late 1990s). Many of these relatively short-term tenants were probably students at the University of Northern Colorado. The property was purchased by its current owner and occupants, the Wermerskirchen family, in June 2001.
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