Bandelier Historic Structure Report: CCC Buildings

THE BUILDINGS (continued)

B-9, Comfort Station

Constructed in 1935, this building was originally connected to the headquarters (B-2) by a portal (figures 77 and 78). This portal spanned the road that led to the campground. It served as the checking point for the adjacent office and the covered entry to the women's rest room. [117]

This building had many of the same characteristics of the other Bandelier structures of the period. The stone footings were laid in a concrete mortar, and the stone walls above were laid in a mud mortar. Exterior walls had a thin coat of Pojuaque mud plaster. Interior walls were hard plaster, painted "egg shell color from ceiling to window sill and from window sill to base including partitions . . . a Tesuque green. Base and floors were painted a brown." [118] A 1940 plan for alterations included the installation of a 37,500-BTU furnace and the removal of the portal. Although the furnace went in, the portal stayed.

Additional changes continued through the years. In 1965, two natural gas forced-air furnaces were installed. During a 1966 rehabilitation, new tile floors and drains were installed. The rear of the portal between the two buildings was waled off with a toned slump block in recent years; the exact date is elusive. Other changes to the building have been minor maintenance repairs. [119] The building flooded in the aftermath of the La Mesa fire in 1977, leading to the removal of original fixtures in the men's portion and the installation of wal-mounted units. The building received a new foam roof in 1981 and new water and sewer lines in 1983. The building also received storm windows and minor modifications to accommodate handicapped access in recent years.

The building was designed by an architect with the initials "A.B.J." In 1940 alterations were done by Lyle Bennett. Norm Harp designed the 1966 alterations.

Figure 77. Plans for the comfort station (B-9), 1935 (drawing 315/3017A, sheet 1).

Figure 78. Constructed in 1935, the comfort station bordered one edge of the original road that passed by the original headquarters office (far right) underneath the portal (right). Shown here in 1982, the building retains its integrity of function. (Photo: Harrison for NPS)