Park County awards preservation grants for North London Mill and Mosquito Range projects

Park County commissioners approved two awards from the Park County Historic Preservation Advisory Committee during a May 27 meeting: a $4,000 grant for stabilization work at the North London Mill foundation and a $2,200 package for Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative projects, including signage, interpretive work and a tribal-tree education walking tour.

County preservationist Kate McCoy and representatives from the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative, including Kara Doyle, described project scopes in a prior work session and at the meeting. Commissioners described proposed work at Buckskin Cemetery, interpretive signage at the Windy Ridge/Bristlecone scenic area and restoration needs at the North London Mill foundation and said the county’s preservation advisory process focuses on skilled contractors and partners able to work on structures from the late 19th century.

The Board approved the North London Mill grant, $4,000, by voice vote (3–0). The Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative award was approved as a $1,900 grant plus $300 for a tribal-tree education walking tour, for a total of $2,200; that motion carried 3–0. Commissioners said packet materials and applications are part of the public record and noted limited preservation funding requires advisory board staff to spread available funds across multiple projects.

Commissioners expressed interest in attending the walking tour and encouraged continued coordination among the county cemetery board, preservation staff and heritage partners. Officials also mentioned other historic resources such as the Paris Mill as candidates for future work.