A Digital Walking Tour of Salida

: 217 F Street; Real estate appraisal card. 217 F Street, part of lots 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, block 31, in Salida, Colorado. This building was erected in 1904, according to its stone plaque, and was christened the "Adilas Building" (Adilas is Salida spelled backward). On 1 January 1904, the Salida Record published a drawing of the building and stated, "this handsome building will be named by the people of the county as soon as the foundation is completed. A handsome prize is offered." The building was erected and owned by the Golden Rule Store. The firm stated, "We are now without a doubt enjoying the largest trade in this county and if this is true what an immense advantage we will have over all competitors. We have several stores and sell for strictly cash, therefore we can undersell them all. We care not for Eastern catalogues." The 1904 Sanborn map indicates that the footprint of the building was drawn "from plans," and was to be divided into two storefronts for a dry goods store and a grocery. The 1905-06 city directory indicates that part of the building (219-225) was occupied by the Golden Rule store, which continued to occupy the space into the second half of the twentieth century. The store was advertised as "the cheapest house to buy dress goods, silks, notions, underwear, shoes, carpets, draperies, linoleums, etc." A specialty of the store was the ladies' suit and shirtwaist department. The Golden Rule stores were among the first modern dry goods chain stores in the country. The first store was opened in 1889 in Longmont, Colorado, by Thomas M. Callahan, and it became a model for more than 100 other stores. The stores were very competitive and stocked quality, high demand goods at low prices, trading only in cash and carry. James Cash Penney was one of the early operators of a Golden Rule store and later founded his own department store chain. Rosslyn and Lee Scamehorn have written a history of the Callahan family and their Golden Rule stores. Around 1891, Burr Fisher, a brother-in-law of T.M. Callahan, opened the first Golden Rule Store in Salida. In 1899, C.H. Ramsay, brother-in-law of Fisher and Callahan, acquired control of the store, which was managed by local people. C.H.R. Warriner & Son, a San Diego mercantile business, gained control of the store sometime before 1911. They quickly sold the store and its contents to A. Rosenquist, of Geneva, Nebraska, who, in turn, sold it to a Kearney, Nebraska company. The store then closed. The 1914 Sanborn map shows a bakery, a meat market, and a confectionery in the building. Thomas M. Callahan, Katherine M. Ryan, and Ira T. Letford, partners in the Golden Rule Mercantile Co., announced within months that the New York Store would open in the former Golden Rule space. Letford served as manager of the Salida store and Theresa M. Ryan (sister of Katherine Ryan) was the clerk. From 1913 to 1922, T.M. Callahan spent much of his time in Salida, according to the Scamehorns. The store was apparently rechristened the Golden Rule Mercantile Co., which is how it is listed in the 1922-23 city directory. Theresa Ryan became a partner-manager after Letford left the business in 1918. In August 1922, Callahan sold the Salida store to Ryan & Ryan (composed of Katherine, Theresa, and James R. Ryan). Theresa M. Ryan then managed the Salida store, while Katherine and James Ryan managed the company's stores in Gooding and Blackfoot, Idaho. A 1922 article in the Salida Mail called Theresa Ryan "one of the cleverest merchants in the United States." In 1949 the company advertised dry goods, ready-to-wear, shoes, and men's furnishings, and was operated by Theresa M. Ryan and Edmund J. Finn. The Golden Rule Mercantile Company was still listed at this address in the 1951 city directory. The other store in this building by 1905-06 was the drugstore of George W. Armstrong. In August 1901 Armstrong had acquired Thompson's drugstore in Salida. He enlarged and remodeled the store in the 100 block of F Street, and advertised drugs, patent medicines, toilet articles, and perfumes. A biography of Armstrong published about 1905 called him "one of the leading merchants of Salida." Armstrong was a native of New York, where he attended school and worked in a bank. In 1864, he crossed the plains to Colorado, where he mined for a year before returning to New York. He engaged in a mercantile business before coming back to Colorado in 1877 and took up mining in Central City. Unsuccessful in his mining ventures, he walked to Denver looking for work, arriving with ten cents in his pocket. Armstrong worked for the wholesale grocery of J.S. Brown & Co. in Denver. In 1880 he opened a grocery in West Denver and was elected to the city council. In 1882, he started a general store in Montrose county, which expanded with branches in Gunnison County, Debeque, and Parachute. In 1910, Armstrong's business was purchased by W.C. Alexander, who then operated a drug and jewelry business. The upstairs of the building originally contained a large hall. In 1906, the Salida Mail reported that the hall, "one of the largest and very best in the city except perhaps Elk Hall" had been converted into offices. In 1922-23 the city directory indicated that Mary Stokes, cloak and suit maker, was occupying 215 F. In the 1927-28 directory this business was listed as The Stokes Company, Inc., and was still at this address. On the 1945 Sanborn map, a movie theater is indicated in 215. By 1951, only the Golden Rule Mercantile was listed at this address. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 218 E. 3rd Street; Real estate appraisal card. 218 E. 3rd Street, lots 14-15, block 30, in Salida, Colorado. This house was erected in 1946. By 1965, John M. and Sylvia G. Petrini lived here. Mr. Petrini was the part time deputy treasurer for the City of Salida. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 220 F Street; Real estate appraisal card. 220 F Street, part of lots 1-4, block 32, in Salida, Colorado. The Sandusky building is currently 222 F Street. This building is associated with the development of dry goods businesses in Salida, having been built between 1906 and 1909 to house S.W. Sandusky Dry Goods. The company traced its roots to the origins of the city in 1880, and S.W. Sandusky was a pioneer merchant, who operated the oldest dry goods business in Salida into the 1930s. In 1880, L.W. and D.H. Craig founded a dry goods business in Salida known as Craig Brothers. In 1885 that firm was succeeded by Craig & Sandusky. Craig & Sandusky was operated by D.H. Craig, who later became cashier of the First National Bank, and S.W. Sandusky. The business lost about $3,000 in the fire of 1886. In 1891 Sandusky bought out Craig's interest in the business, which was the oldest dry goods house in Chaffee County and the second oldest mercantile business in Salida. S.W. Sandusky's Dry Goods Store carried dry goods, carpets, and shoes in 1900. In 1904 S.W. Sandusky noted that his firm had never intentionally bought a poor article of merchandise, although profit might have been greater on cheaper goods. It was a source of pride for the firm that most of its customers had been purchasing from Sandusky's for many years. This building was erected between 1906 and 1909 by S.W. Sandusky, who was born in Missouri and had come to Salida in 1881. Sandusky's Dry Goods continued to operate at this address through the 1920s. Sandusky stated, "A man would come in and say he wanted an outfit. At a glance I could guess his size. For about thirty bucks he could get clothes that stood up under hard usage--such things as California-made red flannels cut from cloth, blue wool shirts, and a pair of tough boots." By 1951, Everybody's Store, a dry goods firm owned by Arthur E. Costello, operated here. This store was still listed here in 1961. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 222 E Street; Real estate appraisal card. 222 E Street, lots D, E, and F, block 31, in Salida, Colorado.

: 222 E. 1st Street; Real estate appraisal card. 222 E. 1st Street, lot 19, block 3, in Salida, Colorado. This house was built prior to 1886. The 1927-28 city directory indicates that Hays B. Gibson, a foreman with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, lived here. Gibson was also listed here in 1930-31. By 1951, this was the home of Mrs. F.A. Meinke. Ralph and Wilma Sweet Jived here in 1961. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 223 D Street; Real estate appraisal card. 223 D Street, lots 12-13, block 29, in Salida, Colorado.

: 224 D Street; Real estate appraisal card. 224 D Street, lots 6-7, block 30, in Salida, Colorado. This house was erected in 1900 according to the Chaffee County Assessor. Charles "Charlie" B. Chapman, a carpenter, lived at this house in 1903-04. Gharles was born in Missouri in 1865. The 1900 US Census showed Chapman living with his wife, Octavia J., who was born in 1869 in Missouri. The Salida address was not given in that year. Clay Davidson was a roomer with the Chapmans in 1903-04. James W. Woods, a conductor, was living in this house by 1906. By 1910 he was married to Bessie Woods (b.1873), and the couple was living with his parents, George and Minerva, at a different house in Salida. James was born in Ohio in 1858. His parents were also from Ohio. James and Bessie had three children by 1910: Joseph (b.1893), Gladys (b.1896), and Edith (b.1901). In 1911-12, Mrs. Letha A. Mahar, widow of Frank S. Mahar, lived here and owned the Salida Transfer & Storage Company. She continued to live here until at least 1922, at which point she was the owner of the M&H Store. Letha was born in Missouri in 1874. She was already widowed by 1910 and living at a different house on D Street. The 1910 Census lists two daughters and a son living with her: M. Elizabeth (b.1903), Francis R. (b.1907) and Carl S. (b.1909). The 1922 city directory still listed Mrs. Mahar; at that time she was a widow and she was affiliated with the M&H Store. The property was vacant in 1931. Leonard and Mary Abbott owned the residence in 1951, during which time Leonard worked for D&RGW. Both of the Abbotts were from Italy. Mary was born in 1900 and Leonard in 1892. Leonard came to the U.S. in 1910 and Mary in 1921. They were married in 1922. They had two children by 1930: Liondina (b.1925) and Leguigo (b.1924). In 1930, Leonard was working as a laborer for a lime quarry. In 1965, this was still the residence of Leonard and Mary Abbott. Mr. Abbott then worked at odd jobs. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 225 D Street; Real estate appraisal card. 225 D Street, lots 14-17, block 29, in Salida, Colorado. This house was built in 1885, according to Chaffee County Assessor records. William M. Henderson and Nettie Henderson lived at this address in 1903. William was a repairman for D&RG. Andrew Tubbs, a laborer, lived here by 1906. He married Anna in 1894. Andrew was born in Pennsylvania in 1863 and Anna was born in New York in 1869. By 1910 Andrew was working as a carpenter. In 1910, Martis W. Weldon, a fireman for D&RG, occupied the home. He was born in Alabama in 1875. Also living here was his Canadian-French wife, Maggie (b.1880) and their children: Pearl M. (b.1902), Doris H. (b.1905), and Marty D. (b.1909). The Weldons lived at a different address in Salida by 1920. Harry E. and Flora Austin lived at the house in 1922. Harry was an auto operator. In 1931 Arthur M. and Lou Fletcher resided at this address. Arthur, a carpenter, was born in Illinois in 1865 and Lou was born in 1867 in Ohio. Lou's parents were both from Germany, while Arthur's parents were from Scotland and England. By 1951, Jerry Entihar, who was retired, lived here. He died in July 1957, when he was described as a "long time resident." Also, in 1951 Joseph F. Drobnick lived here with his wife Staffie, who was a bookkeeper at Argys Brothers Garage. Joseph worked at the Monarch Quarry as an electric helper. The 1965 city directory indicated that this was the residence of Joseph F. and Staffie Drobnick, who owned the house, and Mrs. Grace Murnane. The Drobnicks continued in the same employment as they had in 1951. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 226 E. 2nd Street; Real estate appraisal card. 226 E. 2nd Street, lot 19, block 23, in Salida, Colorado. This house was built between 1898 and 1904. In 1920, the US Census indicated that this was the residence of the Haskins family. Charles Haskins, age 42, was born in Colorado and worked as a car repairer for the Denver & Rio Grande Western. He lived here with his wife, May (39, born in California), son Darwin (11, born in California), and son Harold (4, born in Colorado). The Haskins were also listed at this address (then 222) in the 1922 city directory. George DeVerne Hallock and Dorothy A. Gibson Hallock lived here by 1930, according to the U.S. Census. Mr. Hallock was born in 1901 in Salida and Mrs. Hallock in 1906, also in Colorado. The Hallocks had two children in 1930: Marian E. (7) and Virginia B. (4). In 1920, George Halleck had been listed as single and living with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willis Hallock. He was employed as a mail carrier with the post office in 1920 and 1930. He was later transferred to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then West Palm Beach, Florida, where he passed away in May 1951. Mrs. Hallock was still alive at the time of his death, as were both of his daughters. Mr. Hallock was buried in Fairview Cemetery beside his father and mother. By 1951, Harold F. and Josephine Dwyer lived here. Mr. Dwyer was retired. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 226 Lower F Street; Real estate appraisal card. 226 Lower (or North) F Street, part of SE 1/4. section 32 T, 50N R 9E. This building is currently 216 Lower F Street. The 1903 city directory lists the Donmyer & Haley Restaurant in this building, William J. Donmyer and Joseph L. and John E. Haley, proprietors. The 1909 Sanborn map indicates that the building still housed a restaurant but by 1929 it had become store space. It then reverted back to a restaurant by 1945. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 227 E. 1st Street; Real estate appraisal card. 227 E. 1st Street, block 23, in Salida, Colorado. This house was built between 1886 and 1888. The 1903-04 city directory listed four persons living at this address. Two women living here were: Mrs. Helen Hinds, for whom no occupation was listed, and Mrs. Minnie E. Hull, an owner of Hull & Wise, a newsstand and cigar store. Also living here were Louis H. Ashenfelter, a helper for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, and Charles McClelland, a brakeman for the railroad. Mrs. Minnie Hull still lived here in 1906 and continued to be affiliated with Hull & Wise. Also living here by 1906 was Harry O. Wise, who co-owned Hull & Wise with Mrs. Hull, as well as owning H.O. Wise & Son. It appears that Mrs. Hull and Mr. Wise were brother and sister. H.O. Wise & Son, conducted by Harry O. and Earl Wise, advertised "a full line of cigars, tobacco, news, and stationery; all the latest periodicals and magazines." In 1906, Earl Wise also lived here, as did Robert P. Conner, a machinist for the D&RG. In 1907, Harry O. Wise passed away in his rooms at the back of Wise & Son at 145 E. First Street. Mr. Wise was born about 1851. He moved to Salida from Council Grove, Kansas, about 1882 and became employed by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad as a freight brakeman, holding the position until about 1893. He retired after falling from the top of a freight car near Rifle and receiving injuries to his spine from which he never recovered. He was treated at the Rio Grande Hospital in Salida for three years, but his lower limbs were "totally incapacitated for further service." He conducted his successful business in a wheelchair, starting it after losing his railroad career and developing it into "one of the largest and best kept of any of the kind in this section of the state." At the time of his death, Harry O. Wise was described as "one of those genial, whole souled fellows who made friends of every man, woman or child who entered his place of business." The house completely changed occupants by the time of the 1911-12 city directory. Ross L., Earl E. and Alexander Hamilton Wilson lived here. Ross and Alexander both worked as machinists and Earl was a student. Alexander Wilson was born in Nova Scotia in 1860; his father was born in Scotland. Alexander immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 10 in 1870. A resident of Salida since 1889, Alexander continued working as a machinist for D&RG until his retirement in 1928. He married Jane L., who was born in Wales in 1862. She came to the U.S. in 1885. Alexander and Jane Wilson had one son, William E., who was born in 1890. By 1930, Alexander Wilson was living at 741 G St and working as a janitor at a bank. He had also entered a second marriage, with Mary J., who was born in Michigan in 1860. Alexander Wilson died of pneumonia in January 1939. His obituary in the Salida Mail described him as " one of Salida's best known and respected citizens." Ross Wilson was born in Colorado in 1887. His wife Carrie (b.1892) was born in England. She came to the U.S. in 1899. Ross and Carrie Hamilton had one son, George H., who was born in 1910 in Colorado. Stephen E. and Dora M. Reddy lived here by 1922. Mr. Reddy was born in 1882 in Colorado. Both of his parents were born in Northern Ireland. He worked as a fireman. By 1930, Mr. Reddy was a roomer at 201 E. 1st and was working as a locomotive engineer for the stream railroad. Although the census indicates that he was still married, Mrs. Reddy was not listed as living with him. By 1931, Ray and Katherine E. Davidson were living here. Mr. Davidson worked as a fireman with D&RGW. He was born in Colorado in about 1894. Mrs. Davidson was born in Colorado in 1901. The Davidsons had two children: Margaret (10) and Rayetta (2). In 1920, the Davidsons lived in Nathrop, Colorado, where Mr. Davidson was a farmer. Frank and Frances Johnson occupied the home by 1951. Mr. Johnson was a partner at the Salida Planting Mill. The 1965 city directory did not list this address. An Assessor appraisal card indicates that Walter C. and Agnes M. Bateman were later owners of the house. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

: 227 E. Sackett Avenue; Real estate appraisal card. 227 E. Sackett Avenue, lot 7 & 1/2 of 8, block 3, in Salida, Colorado.

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A Digital Walking Tour of Salida

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