Post-World War II Residential History & Survey Materials
Please note that some of the links featured within the documents listed below may be out of date. Every effort has been made to update information when possible.
Forms & Documentation
Post-World War II Subdivision Forms and Instructions
Word and PDF versions of relevant forms for recording Post-World War II subdivisions.
National Register Bulletin: Historic Residential Suburbs-Guidelines for Evaluation and Documentation for the National Register of Historic Places
A comprehensive look at historic context, survey and nomination topics for American suburban development from 1830 to 1960, not just the postwar period. Available at the National Park Service website.
Guide to Nominating a Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places in Colorado
This publication offers guidance for planning and preparing historic district nominations. It is not specific to the postwar period.
Harvey Park South Architectural Features Recording Sheet (Reconnaissance Form)
This document introduces a simplified reconnaissance method to be used to record all properties within large scale postwar developments prior to selective intensive survey.
Nomination Examples
Arapahoe Acres National Register Nomination (5AH.1434)
Well-documented nomination packet for first American postwar suburb listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Sheely Drive District: Fort Collins Local Landmark Nomination
Example of a local landmark nomination for a postwar neighborhood; designated in 2000.
Bibliographies & Other Research Materials
Lustron Bibliography
A list of resources for learning more about the Lustron corporation and the steel homes they manufactured.
Bibliography of Suggested Reading
A list of articles, books, survey reports, websites and other resources which will keep you reading for a long time.
Builder Biographies
Staff have routinely gathered or prepared architect biographies. Knowing about builders will be increasingly important for postwar developments. Biographies of three metro-area builders highlight their company and personal backgrounds plus known projects.
Arapaho Hills Reconnaissance Survey Report, 2009
A CLG-grant funded document providing contextual information and architectural details on 83 properties in Littleton, Colorado postwar subdivision.
Historic Context of Littleton, Colorado, 1949-1967
A CLG grant-funded document detailing municipal, commercial, industrial, and suburban development in Littleton, Colorado during the postwar period
Selected Post-World War II Residential Architectural Styles and Building Types
This booklet includes entries for Usonian style and Minimal Traditional, Ranch, A-Frame, Bi-Level and Neo-Mansard types. The entries also appear in the online guide to Colorado’s Historic Architecture and Engineering. Consultants are encouraged to use these styles and types for survey projects.
Database of the Annual Denver Area Parade of Homes 1953-1963
This document, sorted by location and by year, facilitates visiting actual examples of postwar housing to study stylistic changes over time and examples of specific builders’ work.
Miscellaneous Reading
Atomic Ranch
This contemporary shelter magazine is devoted to Ranch homes and all Mid-Century Modern topics. Many of its articles feature Colorado locations.
Article: “Evaluating the Significance of San Lorenzo Village, a Mid-Twentieth Century Suburban Community” from CRM, Summer 2005
Article by California Department of Transportation environmental planner illustrates how social histories of community residents and its architectural manifestations are often ignored when focusing on original design and construction.
Driving Tour: Modern Neighborhoods of Denver’s Virginia Village
Get in the car to visit three Denver postwar neighborhoods. This tour was originally posted on the Mile-Hi Modern website.