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Dalzell Alley

Location: Dalzell Alley

Completion: 2011

Completed in 2011, Dalzell Alley is the southernmost alley in the network. Located just north of Colorado State University (CSU), Dalzell Alley provides a connection between E. Myrtle Street and E. Laurel Street and also has two spurs, Wattles Alley and Corbin Alley,  that connect to S. Mason Street

Robert Dalzell was an early landowner in Fort Collins who was the first to donate a portion of his farm to establish Colorado Agricultural College.

He deeded 30 acres of land in 1871 to the twelve trustees authorized to begin managing property and erecting buildings for Colorado's land grant college. The establishment of land grant colleges was by federal legislation known as the Morrill Act. Adopted in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln, the Morrill Act granted States and Territories tracts of the federal domain by which to fund colleges dedicated to the agricultural and mechanical arts to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes. In 1870, Colorado's territorial government enacted legislation locating an agricultural college in Fort Collins, but the establishment of the college was by no means assured. Dalzell's contribution was a significant catalyst, and other land donations soon followed, enabling Fort Collins to solidify its selection as the college site and ward off competing towns. Of all the land donors for the agricultural college, Robert Dalzell is the only one not honored by a street name. His name, however, appears on the pioneer monument located near the site of Old Main, within one block of this North-South alley.

The northern alley spur, known as Corbin Alley, is named in honor of Franklin Corbin, a prominent local businessman. Franklin Corbin was the son of pioneer Twilford Corbin ,who came to Fort Collins in 1880. Franklin Corbin was a wealthy individual in the early history of Fort Collins, being the head of the Corbin-Black-Wilson Lumber Company and the Hawthorne-Corbin Motor Company. In 1906, Franklin Corbin constructed an impressive residence along College Avenue south of the original Fort Collins town site. This house, a brick American Foursquare, is located at 613 S. College Avenue and is representative of the Eclectic Movement Prairie Style. In 1995, the house was designated as a local historic landmark and is adjacent to this alley.

Wattles Alley, the southern alley spur, is named for Ruth Jocelyn Wattles. Wattles, a native Coloradoan, arrived at Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College (Colorado A&M) in 1918 as an Associate Professor of English. Known as "R.J.", she was the director of the Drama Club, described as one of the most vital extracurricular organizations ever to function at the College. She actively encouraged community theater in Fort Collins and established the faculty summer drama company. As head of the Drama Club, she helped the College host a variety of popular and well-attended drama performances, drawing audiences throughout the entire region. In addition, the Drama Club made annual tours performing throughout the state, including towns where the plays were translated into Spanish. After retiring from college, R.J. became the director of her own establishment, the Town and Gown Theatre. Particularly notable was her work assembling a large collection of plays — some 10,000 in all — and making them available on loan to groups throughout the state. R.J. supplied 200-300 of these scripts annually, mainly to high schools and 4-H clubs, and, as a result, did much to stimulate local theatrical activity in Colorado.

Before Images

Project Details

Completion Date:

2011

Alley Construction Cost:

$867,891

Total Project Cost:

$1,329,124

Total Square Footage:

22,000

Landscape Architect:

RVi Planning (formerly Russell+Mills Studios)

General Contractor:

Technology Constructors, Inc.

Construction Manager:

Ditesco Services

Engineer(s):

Feissner Consulting

Awards & Recognition:

Urban Land Institute 2019 Impact Project Award

Location

Nearby Dine

Nearby Shop

Nearby Play

Nearby Parking