Near Estes Park in Larimer County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

A Legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright

— National Historic Landmark —

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2016

1. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center reflects the legacy of one the world's most creative architects, Frank Lloyd Wright.

After Wright's death the firm he founded, Taliesin Architects, designed the building you see before you.

Architect Thomas Casey, who designed the visitor center, was apprenticed to Wright. Casey incorporated many of Wright's design principals into its creation.

Today, the building is a National Historic Landmark in recognition of its unique contribution to architecture in the National Park Service.

Frank Lloyd Wright Design Principles
1. The building blends with the natural setting.
2. The building departs from traditional "box" architecture.
3. Materials are chosen for their weathering effects over time.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list.

Location.

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40° 21.958′ N, 105° 33.614′ W. Marker is near Estes Park, Colorado, in Larimer County. Marker can be reached from Moraine Avenue (U.S. 36) ¾ mile west of State Highway 66, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located near the walkway, overlooking the southeast corner of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park CO 80517, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Stephen Tyng Mather (within shouting distance of this marker); Rocky Mountain National Park Administration Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Woodpecker Army (approx. 3.2 miles away); Rocky Mountain’s “Parks” (approx. 4 miles away); Animals in Flux (approx. 4.1 miles away); Ancient Paths, Ancient Peoples (approx. 5½ miles away); Changing Times Bring Changing Uses (approx. 5½ miles away); Horseshoe Park (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Estes Park.

Regarding Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. National Register of Historic Places #01000069. Also a contributing property in Rocky Mountain National Park Utility Area Historic District, NRHP #82001717.

Also see . . .
1. Rocky Mountain National Park Administration Building. The Rocky Mountain National Park Administration Building, also known as the Beaver Meadows

Marker detail: Frank Lloyd Wright & Tom Casey image. Click for full size.

John Engstead, courtesy Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

2. Marker detail: Frank Lloyd Wright & Tom Casey

Tom Casey is seen here, top center, in a 1955 photograph as Frank Lloyd Wright, seated left, teaches his team.

Visitor Center, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant National Park Service buildings in the country. It was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 2001. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentices at Taliesin Associated Architects, the building received widespread attention when it opened in 1967 and became a showpiece for the park service’s Mission 66 development program (Submitted on March 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (Wikipedia). It is a rectangular structure, built with a steel frame and cast concrete panels, into which slabs of sandstone have been embedded. The upper level framing has Cor-Ten steel set in a zigzag pattern inspired by Native American artworks. (Submitted on March 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: The building blends with the natural setting. image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: The building blends with the natural setting.

Look at the way colors and textures of the rock and steel complement the natural surroundings.

Marker detail: The building departs from traditional "box" architecture. image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: The building departs from traditional "box" architecture.

One hundred and one wall panels were precast on the ground and hoisted into place, an amazing new construction technique.

Marker detail: Materials are chosen for their weathering effects over time. image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Materials are chosen for their weathering effects over time.

The weathering corten steel and moss rock have aged to a rich patina requiring almost no maintenance.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2016

6. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Marker

(southeast corner of Visitor Center in background)

A National Historic Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2016

7. A National Historic Landmark

Rocky Mountain National Park
Administration Building
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This building possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America
2001
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2016

8. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (south elevation)

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2016

9. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (northeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.