A Digital Walking Tour of Salida

In the google map below, zoom in and click on a red pinpoint to view a historic image of a Salida building. Many of the photos contain detailed historical information from the Salida Historic Buildings Survey, courtesy the City of Salida and Front Range Research Associates. This Tour includes images from the Salida Library's Digital Collections.

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345 E. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 345 E. 1st Street, lots 1-3, block 24, in Salida, Colorado. A January 1, 1885 edition of the Salida Mail includes a drawing of this house and identifies it as the residence of Judge Bowne. John Berdette Bowne, a real estate man and one of Salida's pioneers, lived here until his death in February 1924. When he was six, his parents moved to Barry County, Michigan, where he grew up and eventually ran a country store. John Bowne moved to Colorado in the 1870s, for the benefit of his health and that of his first wife. He moved from Cleora, Colorado (after losing all his possessions in a fire) to Salida when Salida was founded. Judge Bowne was born in Cortland County, New York on 28 March 1831. He had colonial ancestors and was the son of John and Sarah Owen Bowne. Nancy Jane Bush, John Bowne's first wife, died at the age of 56, in 1892. They had married on 15 June 1856, and had one child, Lillian B. Stringfellow. Mrs. Bowne was reported to be the third person to be buried at Fairview Cemetery. John Bowne married his second wife, Emily E. Kenyon, on March 1, 1893. Emily Bowne was another pioneer of the Salida area, following a brother and sister to Colorado in 1890, and settling in Salida in 1891. Mrs. Bowne was born in Warren County, New York on June 13, 1850. Her parents were Randall James and Sarah Burdick Kenyon. Like Judge Bowne, she had colonial ancestry, including one relative who was part of the Mayflower Colony. Two of her great grandfathers were killed in the American Revolution. Her family went west when she was a young child, settling in Iowa, where she spent her formative years. She attended Iowa Wesleyan College, later moving with her family to Kansas for a few years before coming to Colorado. Judge and Mrs. Bowne had two boarders living with them in 1906: Roy R. Bowne, a blacksmith with GT&FD Granger, and Lyle Bowman, a high school student. The 1910 census indicated Judge Bowne's occupation as "own income." He was already retired at this point. When he died in this house in 1924, John Bowne's obituary described him as "public spirited" and said that he "aided in every enterprise for the benefit of the town." He served as justice of the peace under Governor Eaton and was vice president of Salida 1st National Bank in the 1890s. He also was one of the most active people involved in procuring a smelter for Salida and was one of the original organizers of the Fairview Cemetery Association. After John Bowne's death, Mrs. Emily Bowne continued to live at 345 E. 1st; she died in the house of heart trouble in April 1929. Notably, she wrote her own obituary. By 1930, Bernard B. and Genevieve Belwood lived here. Mr. Belwood was born in 1893 in Kansas and Mrs. Belwood was born in 1898 in Nebraska. They had four sons and two daughters, all of whom were born in Oklahoma. The 1930 Census listed the following children here: Larry (17), Laree (15), Bernice (12), Bennett (11), Kenneth (9), and H.G. (7). Mr. Belwood worked at the Singer Sewing Machine Store. In 1931, C. Leroy and Kate Belwood also lived here. No occupation was listed for either of them. Porter and Hattie Whitcomb lived here in 1951. Mr. Whitcomb was a switchman for D&RGW. By 1965, James R. and Betty M. Gaalaas were owners and residents of the house. He was employed with the US Post Office and she worked at Salida Drug. The couple had two children. A Chaffee County Assessor appraisal card indicates that Alfreda Keyon and Helen E. Yingling were once owners of the house. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
345 W. Front Street
Real estate appraisal card. This is approximately 345 W. Sackett Avenue, lots 11-13, block 6, in Salida, Colorado.
346 E. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 346 E. 1st Street, lots 25-26, block 2, in Salida, Colorado. This house was built between 1895 and 1902. George and Mrs. Mary Ott lived here at the time of the 1903-04 city directory. Born in Germany in 1855, Mr. Ott emigrated to the U.S. in 1879. He was a naturalized citizen by 1900 and worked as a shoemaker. Mrs. Ott was born in 1865 in Illinois. The Otts had four daughters by 1900: Graye A. (17), Luella (14), Geneva Jater (11) and Ruth Pann (7). In 1900 they lived at 207 F St. Two workers for Denver & Rio Grande Railroad also lived here in 1903: William F. Balmer, a switchman and Eugene P. Mahoney, a brakeman. Lyman E. Hensley lived here in 1905-06. He was in the business of real estate, loans and insurance and had an office on the McGovern Block, over Bode's Drug Store. Also living here in 1905-06, was Edgar D. Lowe, who was in the business of mining. In 1911-12, Thomas T. Morris (b.1871), a brakeman for D&RG, lived here. He was the father of two daughters and two sons. He was a veteran of the Spanish American War. He was also a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Masonic Lodge, the ORE, B of RT and the Eastern Star. He died at the age of 83, in the VA Hospital in Denver in April1955. Also living here in 1911-12, was Walter S. Porter, a boilermaker for D&RG. Frederick D. and Bella D. Leason lived here in 1922. They had one son, Emory Leason, who went on to work for the State Highway Department. Fred Leason was a well-known railroad engineer for D&RG, where he devoted 35 years of his life. He started out as a shopman, moving on to the engine service. He died at the D&RGW Hospital, of an intestinal obstruction in July 1938. His obituary described him as "one of the best known and best liked railroad men in Salida." He was born 2 July 1880 in Emporia, Kansas. His family later moved to Raton, New Mexico, where he began working in the railroad industry. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In his spare time, he enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting. Born in 1884 in Illinois, Mrs. Bella Leason died in 1971. In 1931, Frank M. and Minnie C. Peairs lived here. Mr. Peairs was the proprietor of the Salida Transfer Co. Mr. Peairs died in January 1954. Mrs. Peairs died in April 1960. In 1951, The De Noyer Flower Garden, owned by Donald L. and Pauline De Noyer, was housed here. The 1965 city directory indicated that Frank N. and Lola E. Dominguez lived here with their three children. Mr. Dominguez was an employee of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. Guy and Margaret Snedden are listed on an Assessor's appraisal card as previous owners. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
346 E. 2nd Street
Real estate appraisal card. 346 E. 2nd Street, lots 24-26, block 24, in Salida, Colorado. This house was built between 1895 and 1902. The 1903-04 city directory listed the Matthew K. Miller family at 340 E. 2nd. That address does not appear on the 1904 Sanborn map, but 346 E. 2nd is listed. The 1905-06 city directory indicates that Joseph H. Miller, Uriah G. Miller, and their father Matthew K. Miller lived at 346 E. 2nd. Matthew, a prominent Salida pioneer, was the owner of a store at 116 F, known as M.K. Miller, which provided men's furnishings, shoes, hats, cigars and tobacco. Joseph and Uriah both worked as clerks at the store. Matthew K. Miller was born May 20, 1850, in Iowa, coming to Salida in 1882. He had already started his business in Salida by 1883. He was well-known throughout the county, and throughout the years had served as the mayor of Salida twice; treasurer one term; county commissioner twice; and member of the school board for a number of years. A 1906 newspaper article described Miller's store: "no other store in town being able to give lower figures considering the quality of goods... Transacting all his business on correct principles, he stands high in commercial circles and has many friends. His trade is growing fast and he gives personal attention to its details. By 1911-12, Matthew K. Miller was the only person listed living at the house. His business had become a partnership of Miller & Templeton. Matthew died in November 1912 after a two-year long illness, at the age of 62. His funeral service was held in the home. The Salida Mail commented, "To know Mr. Miller was to admire him, and no resident of the county had more friends, especially among the railroad men." In 1922, Uriah G. and his wife Stella M. Miller lived at this address. Also living here was H.J. Clover, a bookkeeper. Charles C. and Ruth Burkart lived at the house by 1931. Charles was a fireman with the D&RGW. Ruth was born in 1876 in Indiana. Charles was born in Illinois in 1877. Clyde C. and Anna M. Soash Tuttle also lived here in 1931. Clyde was born April 12, 1880 in Ostego, Michigan. After the death of his father, Carlyle Tuttle in 1882, Clyde moved with his mother and sisters to Crawford, Colorado. He drove a horse and buggy in Saguache for a doctor while still in his teens. Anna was born October 14, 1887 in Weston, Ohio. She came to Colorado as a child with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.W. Soash. The Tuttles were married in 1912. They lived in Bonanza for many years where Clyde engaged in mining before moving to a ranch at Alder, where Clyde pursued ranching. In the 1930 Census, Anna Tuttle was listed living at 400 E. 2nd with her two daughters: Joy C. (b.1913) and Fay M. (b.1917). Anna died in April 1949. Clyde died in August 1963 at the age of 83. The 1951 directory listed Mrs. Amelia Budd, a partner in B&C Dry Goods, at this address. Elizabeth Cooper was also shown as an owner of the property and a partner in B&C dry goods in 1965. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
348 E Street
Real estate appraisal card. 348 E Street, lots 12-13, block 50, Haskell's Addition, in Salida, Colorado.
349 1/2 W. Front Street
Real estate appraisal card. 349 1/2 W. Front Street, lot 9, block 6, in Salida, Colorado.
349 E Street
Real estate appraisal card. 349 E Street, lots 14-15, block 51, Haskell's Addition, in Salida, Colorado.
349 W. Front Street
Real estate appraisal card. 349 W. Front Street, lot 9, block 6, in Salida, Colorado.
351 W. Front Street
Real estate appraisal card. 351 W. Front Street, lot 10, block 6, in Salida, Colorado.
400 E. 2nd Street
Real estate appraisal card. 400 E. 2nd Street, lots 14 & 15, block 25, in Salida, Colorado. This house was built as two separate dwellings erected between 1895 and 1902. The houses were addressed 400 E. 2nd (the current address) and 131 C Street. In 1903-04, Charles Fry and Frank Taylor roomed here. No occupations were provided for the two men. By 1905-06, Mrs. Margaret "Maggie" Smith, a widow (of Rev. Joel Smith, who died in 1896), lived here with her three daughters and one son. Margaret Smith was born in North Carolina in 1861. There were three roomers living with them, all of whom worked for the Denver & Rio Grande: George A. Bennett, a conductor, Adam A. Moore, a machinist and William J. Tierney, a conductor. Mrs. Smith continued to live here in 1910 with her daughters Maude, Angeline N., and Josephine M.,and son Thomas B. Maude worked as a clerk at the Golden Rule Store, which supplied dry goods. Angeline was a clerk at R.N. Pherson. By 1911-12, Thomas was also working as a clerk. Sarah Vestal, a 67 year old widow from North Carolina and her Colorado-born daughter Alice, a 32-year-old single woman, also lived at this address in 1910. Alice worked at a millinery shop. In 1911-12, Jesse R. Pruett, a barber at J.M. Manful, also lived with the Smiths and Vestals. By 1922, James T. and Luetta E. Sweeney lived at this house, with James working as a clerk. Marion M. Burgner lived at this address by 1931. In 1951, Mrs. Elizabeth Gates, the widow of Earl Gates, Mrs. Sarah Bertschy, and Mrs. Clara Potter lived here. In the 1930 US Census, Sarah Bertschy was listed living at 421 Park Avenue with her husband George (b.1864) and their granddaughter, Lillian M. Obernathy, age five. Sarah Bertschy was born in Missouri in 1874, marrying George in 1892. In 1953, this was the residence of Nere (1880-1953) and Alpha Bouchard (1891-1980), who was also cited as an owner of the building. The couple had lived in Salida for eight years. In 1965, the city directory listed "no information" for this address. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
400 F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 400 F Street, part of lots 1-4, block 60, Haskell's Addition, in Salida, Colorado. This house is currently 408 F Street. Pioneer Salida surgeon Dr. Frank N. Cochems erected this house. Dr. Cochems was born in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in 1869, and his first language was German. He graduated from the Chicago Medical College, predecessor of Northwestern University, coming to Salida as chief surgeon of the D&RGW hospital. He was attracted to Colorado because of a love for the outdoors, according to the Salida Mail. He founded the Red Cross Hospital, which included a training school for nurses. Dr. Cochems reportedly established the facility because "the people of Southern and Western Colorado and Northern New Mexico were sorely in need of a hospital in which the confidence of all would repose unreserved." The institution was described as "one of the most up-to-date hospitals in the West, and the good work it has done throughout its career can hardly be overestimated." Several doctors served on the staff in addition to Dr. Cochems. The Red Cross Hospital was located at 123 G Street and later at 140 W. 3rd Street. The hospital closed in 1928. At one time Dr. Cochems served as president of Commercial National Bank. The Salida Mail reported that Dr. Cochems "gained a wide reputation as a surgeon and achieved an enviable medical career during his years of practice." He married Jane Nugent, who was born in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, and came to the United States as a child. She graduated from the University of Chicago as a Phi Beta Kappa. She studied classic dance in New York, Chicago, and California. In 1923 Mrs. Cochems opened a classic dance studio in Salida. Living with the Cochems in the 1920s were Lucille Foster (22) a niece from Michigan, and Anna Pryor (23), a servant from Illinois. The house was featured as one of the fine homes of the city in a Salida Mail article in 1927. The Cochems were still living here in 1928, but the 1927-28 City Directory listed the address of this house as 410 F St. In 1930, the Cochems estimated the value of their house at $12,000. The 1935-36 Chaffee County Directory listed the address as 408 F. St. and indicated that Dr. Frank R. Cochems continued to occupy the house. He retired in 1939. Dr. Cochems passed away December 1953, at the age of 85, at which time he was a resident of Denver. Services for Dr. Cochems were held at the Salida Elks Home and he was buried at Fairview Cemetery. This address was not listed in the 1951 city directory. By 1965 this was the home of Charles J. and Mary E. Zingone. Charles Zlngone was born In Salida in 1905 and was a lifetime resident of the community. He owned and operated Zingone Tailor Shop on west 1st street before retiring. Mr. Zingone passed away in 1967. Mary E. Zlngone was born in 1914 in Leadville. She graduated from Salida High School in 1933. In the 1960s, she worked as a dental assistant. Mrs. Zingone died in Salida in 1978. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
404 D Street
Real estate appraisal card. 404 D Street, lots 1-2, block 58, in Salida, Colorado.

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