County Landmarks 24th and 25th Historic Sites

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As part of their commitment to the preservation of the County’s heritage, the Douglas County Commissioners have approved the landmarking of the YMCA Camp Shady Brook in Deckers and the Frink House in Larkspur resulting in a total of 25 landmarked sites in Douglas County.

YMCA Camp Shady Brook is significant for its historical value in agriculture, architecture, education, entertainment/recreation and social history. Robert Bandhauer moved his family to the property in 1893 or 1894. Being schooled in precision ironwork, Robert used those skills to build a spring house, ice house, barn, small cabin and main ranch house. In 1899, they constructed a school on the property and added several guest cabins opening them up as a resort called Shady Brook Farm around 1900. A dance hall was added where many community activities took place and still take place today.

Like YMCA Camp Shady Brook, the Frink House is significant for its architecture, association with local commerce and social history. The Frink House was built between 1913 and 1914 as a modified Foursquare, a style popular at the time of construction. A similar style carriage house was added to the property in 1922.

The Frinks hosted meetings of the Girls Friendly Society and Friendly Lark Homemakers Club in their house, as well as parties coinciding with the sweet corn harvest.

The Douglas County Historic Preservation Board and the Douglas County Community Services staff provide numerous programs and activities to preserve Douglas County’s heritage. Foremost among these programs is the Douglas County Landmarks Program, which was created to foster the preservation of the unique historic and cultural heritage of Douglas County.

For more information on Douglas County’s landmarks, historical projects and activities, please visit www.douglas.co.us/community/historic/index.html.