The William Converse House at the Hidden Mesa Open Space is one such property. William Converse came to Colorado seeking the health benefits of the fresh, thin air, and turned to raising shorthorn cattle. In 1908, he donated a portion of the ranch, which became Pikes Peak Grange No. 163, which is now a county, state, and national landmark. The original buildings and structures of the ranch remain as distinctive examples of rural vernacular architecture—the ranch house, chicken coops, a granary, and a pump house are still present. With a grant from SHF, Douglas County is continuing its preservation of the Converse House’s character-defining features, restoring the windows, doors, and three distinctive porches, and stabilizing the foundation. The restoration of the William Converse Ranch will help maintain a sense of continuity and place, providing an important connection to Colorado’s agricultural past.