drop city

• definition:
  Drop City was a community that formed in the hills of southern Colorado in the late 1960's, which bloomed and disintegrated by the early 70's. Though in many ways unique, it is perhaps representative of many of the communes and "intentional communities" of the time. In 1965, the four original settlers of Drop City, art students and writers from the Universities of Kansas and Colorado, moved to a hillside near Trinidad, in the south eastern corner of Colorado. They had no intention of founding a large community, they just wanted to live cheaply and and have time to pursue their art. People came to stay and work to build the community, and the construction projects kept the community focused. Inspired by the architectural principles of Buckminister Fuller, they constructed domes to house themselves, using a system of triangular panels made from the sheet metal of automobile roofs. In 1967 the group, now consisting of 10 core people, won the $1,000 Cymaxion award for their constructions. "Drop City became a decompression chamber for city freaks".

  related links:
  http://parole.aporee.org/files/anto/drop.jpg
  (drop city: The triple-dome community center at Drop City, called The Complex. )
  http://parole.aporee.org/files/fabri/theaterdome_drop_city.jpg
  (theaterdome drop city: )
  http://www.jps.net/redcoral/DropCity1.html
  (memories of drop city: a novel by John Curl about counterculture and urban utopia of the 1960s )
  
  related words:
  tetra city (author)
  

  • dictionary fragment:
    Main Entry: 1dropPronunciation: 'dräpFunction: nounUsage: often attributiveEtymology: Middle English, from Old English dropa; akin to Old High German tropfo dropDate: before 12th century1 a (1) : the quantity of fluid that falls in one spherical mass (2) plural : a dose of medicine measured by drops; especially : a solution for dilating the pupil of the eye b : a minute quantity or degree of something nonmaterial or intangible c : a small quantity of drink d : the smallest practical unit of liquid measure2 : something that resembles a liquid drop: as a : a pendent ornament attached to a piece of jewelry; also : an earring with such a pendant b : a small globular cookie or candy3 [2drop] a : the act or an instance of dropping : FALL b : a decline in quantity or quality c : a descent by parachute; also : the people or equipment dropped by parachute d : a place or central depository to which something (as mail, money, or stolen property) is brought for distribution or transmission; also : the act of depositing something at such a place <made the drop>4 a : the distance from a higher to a lower level or through which something drops b : a fall of electric potential5 : a slot into which something is to be dropped6 [2drop] : something that drops, hangs, or falls: as a : a movable plate that covers the keyhole of a lock b : an unframed piece of cloth stage scenery; also : DROP CURTAIN c : a hinged platform on a gallows d : a fallen fruit7 : the advantage of having an opponent covered with a firearm; broadly : ADVANTAGE, SUPERIORITY -- usually used in the phrase get the drop on- at the drop of a hat : as soon as the slightest provocation is given : IMMEDIATELY- drop in the bucket : a part so small as to be negligible

• place:
  Trinidad, Colorado

• date (project or term):
  1966