March 1, 2023 |
An Encampment historian is working to add another important landmark to the National Historic Registry.
Nancy Anderson owns the house once occupied by Lora Webb Nichols. Not only did Anderson know the photographer personally, but she also literally wrote the book on Nichols. Anderson said the house, located at 808 Winchell Ave, in Encampment, should be preserved for future use.
Photo – Nichols House – by Matt Copeland (Bigfoot99)
Anderson said she would need to create a charitable foundation to look after the house. Having the home listed on the National Register of Historic Places would be the first step. To be eligible for inclusion on the registry a location must be associated with significant historical events or people, embody a specific architectural style, or contain important information about the past. Anderson said her house meets all the requirements.
The Lora Webb Nichols house was originally built for Hetty Kyner, a well-known seamstress. Constructed in the 1890’s, the Victorian-style house was one of the first in town. Kyner didn’t stay in Grand Encampment very long and the house was rented out. Anderson said Louise Blackhall, mother of James Blackhall, lived in the home at one time. James Blackhall was the first and only forest supervisor of the Hayden National Forest and namesake of Blackhall Mountain. Evie Williams, a notable forest ranger, also rented the house before it was purchased by Nichols. Anderson bought the property from Nichol’s son, Burt Oldman Jr, in 1966. Anderson said she is putting that information on her application to the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office.
Anderson said she wants to have the application submitted by the Wyoming SHPO spring deadline. Once accepted, the house will eventually take its place on the National Historic Registry alongside other Encampment locations, such as the Willis House and the Boston Wyoming Smelter Site.
