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The azchitecture of the pioneer stage took on the look and general style of late nineteenth century and eazly twentieth century rural America. Assigning temporal associations for each of the vazious types of architectural styles is difficult because some azeas, such as the ranches around Delta or Paonia, matured and developed a more sophisticated built environment at the same time ' that residents in other parts of the County were just beginning the settlement process described above. Building depended largely on wood with only limited use of stone or other materials. The development of Colorado cement supplies made concrete one of the most popular materials for foundations and basements by the end of the nineteenth century. The use of brick tended to be ' for decorative purposes or in specific applications such as chimneys or foundations basements. This no doubt reflected the high cost of transportation of bricks to the building sites located in areas generally some distance from railroads or brick yards. ' The popular styles of the day were reflected around Delta and Gunnison Counties, most notably in the farm and ranch houses and in cases of the more prosperous, the carriage houses and ' workers' quarters. Of the stylistic influences of the late nineteenth century, two appear to have been in the majority in the area -- Italianate and Gothic Revival -- both vernaculaz, not the work of architects. Probably most were adapted by local builders from pattern books or the popular press. Other styles that may have been present include Queen Anne and it variants. In addition to those houses that could be cleazly identified as having some stylistic influences the utilitarian vernacular houses transplanted from the Midwest also dotted the Western Slope during the late nineteenth century. The most popular of these was the "Gabled Ell" as defined in draft National Register of Historic Places Bulletin 31. Though that publication refers to midwestern ' architecture, the Gabled Ell and its dozens of mutations appears to have been the popular in the region during the late nineteenth century. Also, hipped roof cottages, similar to widely used designs in Colorado coal mining towns appeared. Other vernacular styles such as the double pile and shotgun house also could be found on the Western Slope by 1910. World War I and Depression Stage, 1910-1940 After 1910 the architectural preferences of local ranchers, especially the more prosperous ones, ' diversified and broadened, reflective of the general prosperity on the Western Slope during the first two decades of the new century. Some stylistic movements of the period caught the eye of prospective house builders. However, others did not. Even some of the more urban ' oriented, generally smaller house styles appeared on farms and ranches. Three styles that proved popular with rural residents were the bungalow and its vaziations, the four square or prairie cube and its variations, including one story, hipped roof cottages for workers' quarters. The variations on the four square primarily are found in porch treatments, rear additions, window arrangements and dormer/no dormer roof lines, not in the basic volume, massing and feel of the houses. Finally, a limited amount of colonial revival influence could be seen at one ' time. Again, it appeazs as if pattern books and other popular media had great impacts on the Western Slope. Beyond that the availability of mail order and rural free delivery made parts, 12