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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134 E. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 134 E. 1st Street, lot 22, block 4, in Salida, Colorado. This building is now 132 E. 1st Street. This parcel was vacant in 1888, according to the Sanborn map. The current building appears on the 1890 map, indicated as a harness shop. A harness shop was also shown here on the 1904 Sanborn map. The 1903-04 city directory indicates that this was the Olin D. Bennett & Son harness shop. The 1905-06 city directory listed two businesses here: the Leo Pedro Saloon (Pedro's residence was also in the building) and the tailor shop of Frank Beers (who also had a residence in the building). In 1909, assayer E. E. Smith had an office here. Smith received his technical training at the School of Mines in Golden, Colo. The Salida Mail noted that "his establishment is fitted up with every requisite of a high-class assay plant." Smith had come to Salida from the San Juan district in 1908. He had also worked in Cripple Creek, Leadville, and other mining camps. A photograph taken in 1911 showed the interior of half of the building, indicated as "Oscar's Place," a tailor shop operated by Oscar F. Bridges. The shop advertised "high grade tailoring, all kinds of repairing, altering and dyeing, hats cleaned, blocked and trimmed." The 1914 Sanborn map indicated that both stores in the building were vacant. The 1929 Sanborn map showed a bake shop in this building. The 1930-31 directory lists Henry Scott, baker, at this location. By 1951 this was the location of Salida Music (records, sheet music, and instruments) operated by C.E. Upp. Upp & Associates is listed at this address in the 1961 city directory. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
134 F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 134 F Street, lots C & D, block 21, in Salida, Colorado. This building was erected during 1889-1890 and was known as the Disman-Alger Block. Information about the building was published in 1890 in Western Architect and Building News: "For Alger & Disman: two-story brick block, 50 X 75; two store rooms in first story, eleven office rooms in second story, entire front iron and plate glass, galvanized iron cornice, cost $8,500." The architect was D. Chenoweth and the contractor was J.T. Johnson. A.M. Alger and Ben Disman were two of Salida's oldest and most successful businessmen. Both had arrived in the city in the early 1880s. Alger's was described as the oldest and most comprehensive drugstore in Salida in 1900. Ben Disman opened a clothing store in 1884 and was the city's leading dealer in men's furnishings. Both men had their businesses in other buildings (Alger in the Craig-McGovern Block and Disman in the Central Block) and erected this building after the fire of January 1888 to house other businesses. The 1890 Sanborn map shows a crockery and stove store in 138 F and a notions store in 134 F. By 1898, the notions shop also sold clothing. By 1903-04, the city directory listed the Bateman Hardware Company at 134 F. The company was operated by G.F., F.L., and W.C. Bateman, and offered hardware, plumbing, crockery, lamps, glassware, tin and sheet iron work, Hercules powder, and mining supplies. The company had been founded when Salida was laid out and was considered a pioneer enterprise. The history of the company was intertwined with that of the city. George F. Bateman and his son, Fred, had come to Salida from Pueblo and opened a tin shop. The tin shop added hardware and became G.F. Bateman & Son. In 1894, the youngest son, Walter, entered the business, and it became Bateman Hardware Co. The company moved to 119 F Street by 1905. The other storefront contained the post office (Frank 0. Stead, postmaster) and Hull & Wise newsstand and cigar store (Minnie E. Hull and Harry 0. Wise, proprietors). Among the professionals occupying the upstairs offices were: W.S. Brown, physician; Frank N. Cochems, physician in charge of the Red Cross Hospital; Frank M. Russell, dentist; and Thomas Shaffer, physician and assistant surgeon at the Red Cross Hospital. By 1909, Hall & Hall Ladies' Furnishing Goods shared the 134 F storefront with Mrs. Minnie Swaim, milliner. The Post Office Bookstore was located in 138 F. By 1914, the building was being utilized by a jewelry store (138) and a drugstore (134). The 1922-23 city directory indicated that Alexander's Drug and Jewelry Store operated here. The same business was listed at this address in 1927-28. William C. Alexander moved to Salida in 1901 from Texas and bought out the jewelry store of P.T. Shirkey & Son. In 1910 he bought the drug business of G.W. Armstrong. Alexander was a doctor of ophthalmology and had previously operated a jewelry store in Dallas. W.C. Alexander was elected mayor of Salida in 1917 and in 1927. The Alexander Drug & Jewelry Store was also listed here in 1930-31, while Edward 0. Churchill, cigars and barber was occupying the other store space. By 1951, F.W. Woolworth, managed by Herbert Putnam, was located in this building. The upstairs rooms continued to house offices, including several doctors. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
135 E. 2nd Street
Real estate appraisal card. 135 E. 2nd Street, lots A, B, & C, block 31, in Salida, Colorado.
135 F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 135 F Street, part of lots 14-17, block 22, in Salida, Colorado. This building was erected by Frank W. Gill following the fire of January 1888. The newspaper reported following the fire that "Frank Gill will build a two-story brick as soon as he can get the materials." Gill opened the bakery in 1884 and operated it until 1922, at which time it was called "one of the oldest business institutions in the city." The 1903-04 city directory indicates that this building was known as the Enterprise Bakery, operated by Gill. Gill's name had appeared in the 1887 State Business Directory for Salida as a baker. In 1889 the "Salida News" reported: "F.W. Gill, the baker, has built up an excellent business by furnishing the people of this community with the very best in his particular line. He also carries a very complete stock of confectionery, cigars, tobacco, and fancy groceries." Gill's two brothers worked in the business with him. After Gill sold his business in 1922, it was reported that he had property interests in Salida and had earned enough to retire on. Mr. Gill never married. The 1927 city directory indicated that Harry West, baker, occupied the building. He was one of only two bakers advertised in the directory that year. The 1945 Sanborn map indicated that the building housed a restaurant. The 1951 city directory listed the Indian Grill, operated by Earl Stevison, at this address. By 1961 Gambles had taken over the building. Stanford and Raimon Cook had started the store next door (127-131) in 1943. Bertin Gamble in partnership with Phil Skogmo developed more than 4,000 stores in 38 states and Canada. The first Gamble­ Skogmo store opened in Minnesota in 1925. Gambles closed in 2009. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
135 Lower F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 135 Lower (or North) F Street, rear 10', lots A, B, & C, block 4, in Salida, Colorado. The Victoria Bar & Tavern is visible on the left. This building was erected between 1914 and 1929, based on Sanborn maps. The building was labeled 'store' on the 1929 map. In 1951, the Indian Grill Restaurant, operated by Earl Stevenson was located here. (M.W. Yale Custom Gunsmithing was located at 133 Lower F, a building which is no longer standing.) History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
135 Lower F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 135 Lower (or North) F Street, lots A, B, & C, block 4, in Salida, Colorado. This building was erected in 1901=02. The 1902 Salida Mail reported: 'Messrs. Moore and Killen have their building at the corner of F and Front streets almost completed. The structure is of brick, substantially built, and includes two stories and a basement. The room fronts on F street, and presents a neat, up-to-date appearance. The finishing work is now going on, and when completed the building will be rented as a store room.' On January 1, 1903, Killen & Moore's property was valued at $6,000. The 1903 city directory indicates that the upstairs contained furnished rooms operated by Mildred C. Johnson. The 1904 Sanborn map shows the building divided into three spaces on the ground floor: a grocery store, a meat market, and a hall. An April 1904 Salida Opera House program advertised 'Cinematograph Theatre -- Mildred Block. See Peck's Bad Boy and what happens to him after eating dried apples and drinking sweet cider. Other moving pictures, including Cinderella and the Glass Slipper. Admission: 10 cents. Shows Every Night.' By 1905, the building was advertised as the Hotel Mildred, Mrs. M.C. Johnson, proprietor. Also housed in the building was the Salvation Army and Frank Buehring's Shooting Gallery. In 1906, a Salida Opera House program advertised: 'The Mildred Rooms, Steam-Heated -- Modern Conveniences. Headquarters for Theatrical and Commercial People -- Rooms on Second Floor.' By 1909, the Nick Muto Saloon occupied the F street storefront and the Charles Salerno Grocery was in the 139 F street storefront. Throughout the years, this building has been the location of a barber, cigar store, and confectioner, and by 1927, Coscarella & Alloy's Billiards room. This became the Eagle Pool Room in the 1930s, and the Victoria Pool Room in the 1950s. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
135 W. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 139 W. 1st Street, lot 8, block 21, in Salida, Colorado. This is 135 W. 1st Street.
136 E. 2nd Street
Real estate appraisal card. 136 E. 2nd Street, lot 23, block 22, in Salida, Colorado. This building was erected between 1888 and 1890, according to Sanborn fire insurance maps for those years. Sanborn maps for 1890 through 1909 show a furniture store on the first floor of the building and furnished rooms on the second floor. Louis Wenz and Son, undertakers and embalmers, was listed here in 1911-12. Mr. Wenz operated a furniture store for many years in Salida on F Street and also served as mayor. A small L-shaped building to the rear housed a blacksmith shop on 1890 through 1909 maps. The 1903-04 city directory indicates that Mrs. Annie M. Slater provided furnished rooms upstairs for lodgers at this address. Amos P. Slater operated his blacksmith shop in the rear building here in the 1905-06 to 1911-12 period. The rear building was labeled vacant on the 1914 Sanborn map; it was removed between 1914 and 1929. The main building housed an undertaking business on 1914 through 1945 Sanborn maps. Stewart Mortuary was listed at this address in city directories from 1922-23 through 1961. The 1922-23 directory listed L.B. Stewart as the proprietor. A display advertisement that year noted that the firm had a "lady assistant licensed embalmer" and featured "no extra charge for use of chapel." The 1951 directory showed Joseph E. Stewart as president and manager. Stewart Mortuary was still in the building at the time of the 1981 historic buildings survey. On July 4, 1994, following extensive interior remodeling, the Salida branch of the II Vicino restaurant chain opened for business. The business featured wood oven pizza and a medal-winning microbrewery. II Vicino closed in 2002. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
137 E. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 137 E. 1st Street, lot 4, block 22, in Salida, Colorado. This building appears on the 1883 Sanborn map, when it is labeled as "boarding," with a paint shop at the rear. A boarding house is also shown in 1886, and "lodging" is indicated in both sections of the building in 1888. In 1890 and 1893, in addition to the lodging, a barber shop was in the building. The 1903-04 city directory listed the Hesson House, furnished rooms operated by Mrs. Eva Hesson, at this address. In 1905-06, tailor John H. Calahan and watchmaker Samuel Gobat were working here. Samuel Gobat also had his residence in the building. In 1909, the building was occupied by George Proctor, barber, and John Noerr, tailor. Proctor and Noerr were also listed here in 1911. The 1914 Sanborn map indicates that the building included a tailor and a shine shop. The 1929 Sanborn map indicates that the front part of the building was a store and the back was part of an auto sales and service business to the east. The 1945 Sanborn map shows the rear part as auto sales and service. The 1951 and 1961 city directories list Salida Electric Service, owned by W.K. Hooker, and specializing in electrical appliances, furniture, and wiring, at this address. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
137-141 F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 137-141 F Street, part of lots 14-17, block 22, in Salida, Colorado. This building, originally known as the Wheeler Block, was built by Egbert and Lena Wheeler following the fire of January 1888. The January 3, 1888 Salida Mail reported that the fire had rapidly consumed the building owned by E.H. Wheeler: "E.H. Wheeler, hardware business in his own building on F Street. Loss $8,000; insurance $4,000." By 20 January it was reported that "E.H. Wheeler has nearly completed a corrugated iron building 25 X 60ft. facing 2nd Street. He will use this room for business until he can build on his old site in the burnt district." On September 4, 1888 the new building was completed, at a cost of $5,000. A grandson of the Wheelers, Bob Nevens, later reported that E.H. Wheeler died at an early age following an asthma attack, and Lena Wheeler then operated the hardware store on her own for several years. By 1903-04 the firm of Paine & Paine Hardware was operating in this location (it is believed that Lena Wheeler sold the store to that firm). Edward M. Paine and Fred C. Paine sold hardware, plumbing supplies, and sporting goods. The other store was occupied by Crawford Millinery, operated by Mrs. Effie Crawford, in 1903-04. By 1905-06, this space contained Hall & Gorman Milliners (Mary A. Hall and Edith M. Gorman, proprietors). By 1914 the hardware shop (139) shared the first floor with an office (141). During much of the 1920s and 1930s Harry A. Clary, monuments, occupied 141 F and Paine & Paine Hardware was housed in 139 F. The store became Paine­ Newcomb Hardware and later Newcomb Hardware. During 1947-1994 Jack Cady operated Cady's Hardware in the building. The upstairs became the residence of the Cady family. For many years until the mid-1980s, Herbert and Ola Powell operated a barbershop and beauty shop at 141 F. The hardware space was then utilized as part of Gambles and the former barber shop/beauty salon is a beauty salon known as Head Quarters. Gambles closed in 2009. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
138 W. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 138 W. 1st Street, lot 19, block 5, in Salida, Colorado. First Story. The building was constructed between 1888 and 1890 as the west portion of the Union Block. A billiard parlor occupied the storefront during the 1890 to 1898 period. In 1904 and 1909 a second hand goods store was located here. City directories for 1903-04 through 1909 show a second hand store run by Ambrose Ramsey in this location. He carried a full line of new and second-hand furniture, household furnishings, hardware, tinware, crockery, and jewelry. Mrs. Lola Ramsey was the proprietor of furnished rooms on the second floor according to 1903-04 and 1905-06 city directories. Mr. Ramsey built the imposing Palace Hotel on Lower F Street; it was completed in 1909 and he was shown as its proprietor. The 1914 Sanborn fire insurance map shows a billiard parlor here. An unspecified store was shown here on 1929 and 1945 Sanborn maps. In 1961, Magnum Sporting Goods occupied this storefront; Irvin F. Oberle was the owner. Second Story. The second story of the Union Block was originally used for lodging, according to 1890 and 1893 Sanborn fire insurance maps. The 1898 map labeled it as the Union Hotel, as did the 1903-4 and 1905-05 city directories. Both directories list Mr. and Mrs. T.N.B. Snyder as the operators of the hotel. An advertisement in the directory indicated that the establishment had twenty-four rooms, a large parlor with fire and books, and daily papers, hot and cold water. and electric lights. At that time beds went for 25 cents a night, and rooms from 35 to 75 cents. In August 1906, the Salida Mail described the Snyders' Union House Rooms: "Their rooms are light, cheery, clean and airy, and the place throughout bears a homelike appearance that meets the hearty approval of all their patrons." In 1909, the Union House furnished rooms were managed by Mabel Button. The 1911-12 city directory listed this as the Union Rooming House, Sylvester Pollock, proprietor. The pattern continued into the 1920s, with furnished rooms maintained by Mrs. Gertrude Van Camp (1922-23) and Mrs. O.C. Holly (1927-28). By the time of the 1951 city directory, it appears that the second floor had been divided into two separate lodging facilities. The eastern section was known as the Linza Hotel, operated by Mrs. Delia Linza. This section of the building was included in the western portion was the Denver Rooms, owned by Ralph Spina. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
139 W. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 139 W. 1st Street, lots 9 & 10, block 21, in Salida, Colorado. This building was erected about 1890. The Sanborn fire insurance map for that year indicates the "foundation in for business block" at this site. The 1893 map shows this building. In 1893 and 1898, the west half of this building was vacant and the east portion housed a job printing business. In 1904, a theater occupied the west part and a bowling alley the east part. Chauncey D. Todd operated a bowling alley here in 1903-04, while Albert W. Laughlin and Julius L. Carter ran one in 1905-06. A grocery store is shown in the west half of the building in 1909 and a second hand store in the east half. The 1909 city directory shows Sam Hunt furniture and second hand store here. The west side was vacant in 1914, while the east half contained a hardware store. Two unidentified stores are shown in this building on the 1929 and 1945 Sanborn fire insurance maps. The upper floor of the building appears to have accommodated furnished rooms for much of the period. In 1903-04 the Duey House was located there, with Florence Peck, proprietor. The St. Elmo Rooms were shown upstairs in the 1909 and 1911-12 city directories. Mrs. Louise E. Rhodes was the proprietor in 1911-12. The 1961 directory lists apartments on the second floor. City directories for 1922-23 through 1961 list the Greenburg Furniture Store at this location. Moses Greenburg was the proprietor according to city directories for the 1920s and 1930-31. The 1951 and 1961 directories list Abe Greenburg as the owner. The building still housed Greenburg Furniture at the time of the 1981 historic buildings survey. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.

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