Jerome Construction Blog

by Margy Parisella, Arizona State Parks Architect

Construction is now complete and park has re-opened. This Blog will not have further entries.

This Blog tracked the status of the construction on the historic Douglas Mansion which was in need of repairs. The Douglas Mansion has been an eye-catching landmark in Jerome since 1916, when James S. Douglas built it on the hill just above his Little Daisy Mine.

August 2010

After much prep work, the Mansion and Carriage House are being returned to the original color scheme. The painting company is from Cottonwood, AZ.

Jerome Jerome

June 2010

The aluminum lath has been installed with speciality stainless steel nails and re-plastering will begin soon.

The chimney treatment plan was submitted to SHPO and received concurrence that the solution will meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Historic Architect, Don Ryden, submitted historic information concerning the chimneys and recommended treatment options. AZ State Parks chose to select the option that allowed the chimneys to be reduced in height to the original condition. Significant weight was removed with the lowering of the chimneys; approximately 9,000 lbs from one and 6,000 lbs from another. The photo (below) shows the chimneys before the reduction in height; at the chimney on the left, it was evident by inspection where the original 3 rows of brick coping ended and the additional rows of brick were added.

Jerome Jerome

May 2010

The roof sheathing was cut out for the installation of new roof drain boxes. The initial drain box and canale that were investigated were copper, but the additional ones were not. The canales are basically the historic version of an overflow drain.

Jerome Jerome

March 2010

"Sistered" roof joists have been installed and wood preservative materials applied. The new joists run the full length of the existing joists.

The adobe parapet walls have been rebuilt and a new concrete bond beam has been poured to tie the entire structure together. The original bricks that are stacked in the photo will be re-installed on the bond beam to form the brick coping, in the same configuration as it was before the deconstruction of this section of parapet.

Jerome

February 2010

Adobe forms have been set up in the parking lot and the blocks are being made on site. They are set to match the exact size of the existing blocks. The box lintels over the windows have been exposed to analyze and solve the wood deterioration and plaster de-lamination problems.

Jerome

November 18, 2009

The first phase on Construction Documents have been completed for the Loggia Repair, after review by governing agencies, the structural repairs will begin.

The existing deteriorated adobe blocks were tested for compressive strength and for composition. New adobe blocks are being made on-site and tested to assure they match the existing, per the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Preservation Brief #5.

The drawing shows how the parapet at the Loggia will be repaired and how the beam extensions will be repaired/replaced.

Jerome Jerome

October 21, 2009

The "Notice to Proceed with Construction" was issued on October 8th for the Jerome State Historic Park Building Stabilization & Rehabilitation. The Design-Build Team includes: John H. Wright & Company, Ryden Architects, Inc., Slaysman Engineering, Inc.

The DB Team has mobilized on-site and have begun architectural and structural investigation. Adobe blocks have been sent to the testing lab for strength analysis and mix content to be able to produce replacement adobe blocks on site.

Jerome