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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140 D Street
Real estate appraisal card. 140 D Street, lots 23-26, block 23, in Salida, Colorado. Although this is a duplex residence, the address of this building was given as 140 D Street in city directories. The 1903-04 city directory indicates that 140 D Street was the residence of Charles D. Redeker, proprietor of The Old Man's Place, which served wines, liquors, and cigars and was located on East First Street. He was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1831. After immigrating to the United States, he lived in Cameron, Missouri, before moving to Salida in 1887. He was a conductor for the D&RG before moving to Salida. Mr. Redeker lived here with his wife Emma, who was born in 1846 and died in 1927. She moved to the house next door, at 148 D, which Mr. Redeker built in 1898, following his death in 1909 from a "lingering illness from a lung affection." This house was also the home of W. Perry Williamson, who was married to the Redeker's daughter, Anna, and was a clerk at his father-in-law's business. In 1905-06, he was identified as a proprietor of Williamson & Calvert, a saloon on lower F Street. Mr. Williamson was born on a farm in Vermillion County, Illinois, in 1867. At the age of 14 his family moved to Kansas, where he learned to be a barber. He and his brother, Charles E. Williamson, moved to Canon City in 1888, and Perry moved to Salida in the same year. In 1892, he married Anna Dora Redeker. The couple had one daughter, Grace. By the time of the 1911-12 city directory, Emma Redeker and the Williamsons were living at 148 D. W. Perry Williamson was listed as the proprietor of Perry's Fountain Bar and later became a barber. He died in 1924, and Anna was working as a servant in 1930. She passed away in 1949. Benson D. Cooley, an engineer with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, lived in this house in 1911-12. Also living in this house were Mrs. Catherine Bell and Walter G. Grayson, a miner, who died in 1917. Mr. Grayson worked as a blacksmith helper at the smelter and had a wife and three children. He passed away unexpectedly at home after a short illness. Living here in 1922 were Mrs. Essie Swedehin and Navera Swedehin. Mrs. Swedehin was identified as a private nurse in the 1920 Census. The 1930-31 city directory indicates that this was the residence of Fred Wallace Lord (1876-1937) and Sarah May Lord (1891-1974). Mr. Lord worked as a "prominent" brakeman for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. He was described as "well-known and beloved" in Salida. Mr. Lord was born in Summerville, Mass., and came to Leadville with his parents in 1882. As a young man he was employed by the Midland Railroad in Leadville. In 1917, he transferred to Salida as a brakeman on the D&RG. In 1920 he married May Wellington of Pueblo. In 1933 he retired due to ill health, and he passed away in the house in 1937. The Lords had three daughters. By 1951 the house was owned by Hartman (1872-1952) and Lillie M. Bailey Lyons (1878-1955). No occupations were listed for the couple. The 1965 city directory lists Harry O. Young as the occupant of this house. Mr. Young was retired. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
142 Lower F Street
Real estate appraisal card. Back yard view of 142 Lower (or North) F Street, in Salida, Colorado.
142 Lower F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 142 Lower (or North) F Street, part of lots 1-4, block 5, in Salida, Colorado. This is currently 140 Lower F Street. The building was erected between 1904 and 1909 and has always been a restaurant. It first housed the Rio Grande Cafe, then the Chili Parlor Restaurant, then the Star Cafe. Mae Prunty bought the place for $1 in 1943 and was subsequently contracted by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad to serve food to the railroad crew 24 hours a day. In 1951, Neal Prunty took over and renamed it Neal's Cafe. The characters drawn on the inside walls were done by a restaurant employee, Bill Blake. Each of the caricatures represents a person who frequented the cafe. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
142 W. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 142 W. 1st Street, lot 18, block 5, in Salida, Colorado. According to Sanborn fire insurance maps, the western half of this building (number 142) was constructed between 1898 and 1904. The eastern half (number 140) was built in 1908, according to a list of principal improvements published by the Salida Mail in January 1909. The 1904 Sanborn map shows the western part with a grocery store on the first floor and a one-story dwelling addition on the rear. The 1905-06 city directory shows Stancato and Brother, grocers, at this location (then addressed as 144 W. 1st Street). The firm included Frank and Antonio Stancato. The Stancato Brothers built the eastern section of the building in 1908 at a cost of $5,000; it then housed the grocery store, while the western part was used for general storage. The same uses are shown on the 1914 Sanborn map. The 1909 and 1911-12 city directories list Stancato Brothers in this building; the Eagles Hall was on the second floor. By 1911-12, the business included Antonio, Frank, and Joseph Stancato, and dealt in general merchandise, dry goods, groceries, shoes, clothing, and wholesale liquor. Stancato Brothers still occupied the building in 1922. Frank Stancato was the general manager, and Stancato Hall was listed on the second floor. The Stancato Brothers general merchandise was listed here in the 1927-28 city directory. The 1951 city directory showed Stancato Brothers grocers at 10-42 W. 1st Street. Albert Stancato was the manager, and Moses, Elveria, and Joe Stancato were partners. The second floor housed apartments in 1961. An antique store occupied the building 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.
146 W. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 146 W. 1st Street, lots 15 & 16 and part of lot 14, block 5, in Salida, Colorado. Information for the building on the left, 144 W. 1st: Based on Sanborn fire insurance map evidence, this masonry building was probably erected between 1909 and 1914. A steam laundry occupied an earlier iron clad building at this site and the 1914 Sanborn states that a steam laundry occupied this building at that date. The Troy Laundry was located here (addressed as 150 W. 1st street) in 1909 and 1911-12. John M. Campbell was the proprietor. Campbell came to Salida in 1881 and entered business in 1892. The Salida Mail commented that "since that time it can be safely said that he has made as many friends as any man in town, for his genial good nature and square business dealing have increased his business to a point where it has enabled him to equip his laundry completely with steam." In 1908 a new mangle was installed. The Salida Transfer Company's office and warehouse was located in this building according to the 1922-23 and 1927-28 city directories. The business featured household goods and piano moving and storage. Frank M. Peairs was the proprietor. The 1927-28 and 1930-31 city directories also list the Rainbow Garage at this address (number 144). The 1929 and 1945 Sanborn maps show this property in use as a garage. A large rear addition, erected between 1914 and 1926, had resulted in an L-shaped building that had a capacity of forty cars. The Rainbow Garage probably took its name from the nickname for U.S. 50 through central Colorado-"The Rainbow Route." The Speedway Garage was shown at this location in a 1937 photograph. The address is not listed in the 1951 city directory. At the time of the 1981 historic buildings survey, this building housed Downtown Auto Body. NOTE: The rear of this parcel once held an iron clad building that was labeled on 1909 and 1914 Sanborn maps as "Negro tenements." The building had served as baled hay storage in 1904. This building was removed when the principal building was expanded between 1914 and 1929. For the building on the right, 146 W. 1st: According to Sanborn fire insurance maps, this building was constructed between 1904 and 1909. The building was addressed as number 148 on 1909 through 1929 Sanborn maps and as number 146 on the 1945 edition. In 1909 and 1914, this building housed a store carrying boots and shoes and dry goods. The 1909 city directory showed the Ladies' Cash Bazar [sic] in this location (then addressed as 148 W. 1st Street). The clothing store of Nicholas Muto was listed here in 1927-28. The 1929 Sanborn map shows an unidentified store here. The 1930-31 city directory listed Quinn's Produce Company here. The wholesale operation was headed by Lawrence Quinn. A 1937 photograph indicates that the Little Casino Cafe was located here. That restaurant was still located here in 1951, with Ben Passarelli as the manager. Rocket's Bar and Grill was listed here in the 1961 city directory; M.G. Stancato and F.C. Nation were partners in the firm. The Office Bar occupied the building 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.
147 F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 147 F Street, part of lots 14-17, block 22, in Salida, Colorado. Sanborn maps indicate that this building was erected between 1888 and 1890. The previous building at this location burned in the fire of January 1888, and the Sanborn map of 1888 shows a vacant lot. The present building appears on the 1890 map, when the building housed a saloon (143) and a meat store (147). The meat store was listed in the 1903-04 city directory as Max Lessing Meats. Lessing was also chief of the fire department. He advertised "only the choicest meats, both salt and fresh. Oysters and clams in season can be had at this market." By 1909 the business was known as the Enterprise Meat Market, still operated by Max Lessing. The saloon was replaced by a drugstore that was established in 1897 by R.F. Davis, who was succeeded by E.D. Thompson in 1900. Thompson was a graduate of Northwestern University. He operated a drugstore in Chicago before moving to Colorado in 1894. He lived in Denver before moving to Salida in 1900. Thompson sold drugs, oils, patent medicines, wines, liquors, toilet articles. stationery, rubber goods, sponges, and cigars. His soda fountain was called "a thing of beauty--perhaps the finest in this section of Colorado." In August 1901 George W. Armstrong bought Thompson's drugstore. He enlarged and remodeled the store. Armstrong 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, 11e crossed the plains to Colorado, where 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 had started a general store in Montrose County, which expanded with branches in Gunnison County, Debeque, and Parachute. In 1910, Armstrong's drugstore business was purchased by W.C. Alexander, who then operated a drug and jewelry business together. The 1914 Sanborn map shows a grocery and meat store in 143 F St. and a drugstore in 147 F St. The 1922-23 and 1927-28 city directories list W.R. Crylie Meats In 143 F and Waggener's Pharmacy (C.Y. Waggener, proprietor) in 147 F St. By 1930-31 the drugstore had been replaced by Safeway Stores, Inc., Gilbert A. Griffith, manager. The 1945 Sanborn map shows a store and a drugstore in the building. In 1951 and 1961 a pharmacy known as Alexander's, Inc. was operating here owned by Jack Long. Then, it passed hands becoming Lallier's Pharmacy. Today, this is the Salida Five and Dime, noted for its Chaffee County Honor Roll Wall. The names of over 600 veterans were painted on the south wall in 1947. In 1964, the building was coated in stucco to protect the building and the names. In 2015, American Legion historian and veteran Dan Johnson, spearheaded the movement to uncover the stucco, restore the wall, and repaint the names of every Chaffee County veteran of that time. On July 4, 2016, the Chaffee County Honor Roll was rededicated. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
148 E. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 148 E. 1st Street, lots 23-26, block 4, in Salida, Colorado. This lot was shown as vacant on Sanborn maps of 1886 and 1888. The 1890 Sanborn map indicated that the western section of the building was "being built." The building is shown on the 1893 map, with a meat store furthest west, a boot and shoe store in the center, and a millinery on the east end. Center stairs led to the upper story. The 1904 Sanborn map showed a hall and reading room in the western space, a boot and shoe store in the center, and a tailor on the east. Herman F. Schuelke had a shoe shop here listed in the 1903-04 and 1905-06 city directories. The 1903-04 city directory listed architect Henry L. Silf with an office and residence here. James J. Baldwin had a business selling pianos, sewing machines, and sheet music at this location in 1903-4. By 1905-06 Baldwin's business had been replaced by the Merkel Co., operated by Bernard F. and Anna G. Merkel, and offering wallpaper, paints, oils, and glass in the eastern section of the building. In 1905-06 Samuel S. Hunt had a second hand goods store in the western section of the building. The upstairs included furnished rooms operated by Mrs. May Warnick. In 1909, the building was known as the Hanks Building, and the upstairs furnished rooms were "Ideal Rooms." Schmidt & Stingley, butchers, operated in the western section of the building, together with People's Market. At the eastern end of the building was the Salida Wiring Co. and B.F. Merkel, paint and wallpaper. The 1911 city directory listed the People's Market (Karl Schmidt, proprietor) "fresh and salt meats." Bernard F. Merkel advertised wallpaper at this location. The Salida Wiring Co. (S.B. Bostian, proprietor) offered "electrical supplies, all kinds of electric work at reasonable prices." Between 1911 and 1914, a large garage (the Colorado Auto Co.?) was built adjoining the east end of the building. The garage had a gas tank at the rear. The stores in the original part of the building held a meat shop, tailor, and paint and wallpaper in 1914. In 1922 H.F. Schuelke, cleaner, dyer, and presser, had a business here, as did J.J. New, a painter. The garage was operated by Timothy J. Ahern. By 1927-28, the Bonanza Stage Line, a bus service, was operating from the garage, which was also the location of the White Auto Company. The garage was shown with steam heat, electric lights, and a concrete floor on the 1929 Sanborn map. The White Auto Co. was the local distributor for Cadillac and LaSalle cars. Charles C. White owned and operated the business, taking over the former Colorado Auto Co. in 1917. White had been a resident of Colorado since 1885 and had previously worked with the D&RGW Railway and the U.S. Forest Service. In 1927 the Salida Mail wrote: "The garage boasts of large and adequate floor space for storage, a well equipped repair department where expert mechanics are on the job ready to give expert attention to all repair work, large or small, simple or complicated, on any make of car. There is a separate tire repair and vulcanizing department. All manner of auto accessories are carried." In 1927-28, G.B. Gaul had a shoe repair shop in the western part of the building. Mrs. Della LaPlant was offering furnished rooms on the second floor. The 1930-31 city directory indicated the White Auto Co. {Thomas C. White) offering auto repair in the garage, while parts of the west section of the building were vacant. In 1951, Stapleton Chevrolet (sales and service), owned by Harold Stapleton, was located here. The-same business was indicated here in the 1961 city directory. In 1981 the business here was Salida Auto Parts. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
148 E. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 148 E. 1st Street, lots 23-26, block 4, in Salida, Colorado. This lot was shown as vacant on Sanborn maps of 1886 and 1888. The 1890 Sanborn map indicated that the western section of the building was "being built." The building is shown on the 1893 map, with a meat store furthest west, a boot and shoe store in the center, and a millinery on the east end. Center stairs led to the upper story. The 1904 Sanborn map showed a hall and reading room in the western space, a boot and shoe store in the center, and a tailor on the east. Herman F. Schuelke had a shoe shop here listed in the 1903-04 and 1905-06 city directories. The 1903-04 city directory listed architect Henry L. Silf with an office and residence here. James J. Baldwin had a business selling pianos, sewing machines, and sheet music at this location in 1903-4. By 1905-06 Baldwin's business had been replaced by the Merkel Co., operated by Bernard F. and Anna G. Merkel, and offering wallpaper, paints, oils, and glass in the eastern section of the building. In 1905-06 Samuel S. Hunt had a second hand goods store in the western section of the building. The upstairs included furnished rooms operated by Mrs. May Warnick. In 1909, the building was known as the Hanks Building, and the upstairs furnished rooms were "Ideal Rooms." Schmidt & Stingley, butchers, operated in the western section of the building, together with People's Market. At the eastern end of the building was the Salida Wiring Co. and B.F. Merkel, paint and wallpaper. The 1911 city directory listed the People's Market (Karl Schmidt, proprietor) "fresh and salt meats." Bernard F. Merkel advertised wallpaper at this location. The Salida Wiring Co. (S.B. Bostian, proprietor) offered "electrical supplies, all kinds of electric work at reasonable prices." Between 1911 and 1914, a large garage (the Colorado Auto Co.?) was built adjoining the east end of the building. The garage had a gas tank at the rear. The stores in the original part of the building held a meat shop, tailor, and paint and wallpaper in 1914. In 1922 H.F. Schuelke, cleaner, dyer, and presser, had a business here, as did J.J. New, a painter. The garage was operated by Timothy J. Ahern. By 1927-28, the Bonanza Stage Line, a bus service, was operating from the garage, which was also the location of the White Auto Company. The garage was shown with steam heat, electric lights, and a concrete floor on the 1929 Sanborn map. The White Auto Co. was the local distributor for Cadillac and LaSalle cars. Charles C. White owned and operated the business, taking over the former Colorado Auto Co. in 1917. White had been a resident of Colorado since 1885 and had previously worked with the D&RGW Railway and the U.S. Forest Service. In 1927 the Salida Mail wrote: "The garage boasts of large and adequate floor space for storage, a well equipped repair department where expert mechanics are on the job ready to give expert attention to all repair work, large or small, simple or complicated, on any make of car. There is a separate tire repair and vulcanizing department. All manner of auto accessories are carried." In 1927-28, G.B. Gaul had a shoe repair shop in the western part of the building. Mrs. Della LaPlant was offering furnished rooms on the second floor. The 1930-31 city directory indicated the White Auto Co. {Thomas C. White) offering auto repair in the garage, while parts of the west section of the building were vacant. In 1951, Stapleton Chevrolet (sales and service), owned by Harold Stapleton, was located here. The-same business was indicated here in the 1961 city directory. In 1981 the business here was Salida Auto Parts. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
148 E. 2nd Street
Real estate appraisal card. 148 E. 2nd Street, lots 24-26, block 22, in Salida, Colorado. This building was erected in 1910 as the Salida Elks Home, a function it continues to serve today. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) was founded in New York in 1868, evolving from a drinking society called the Jolly Corks led by Charles Vivian. The Elks focus on charity and patriotism, assisting victims of natural disasters and supporting the national observance of Flag Day. The Salida chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) Number 808 met earlier in the McKenna Building on F Street. Leaders of the group in 1903-04 were W.S. Buchanan (Exalted Ruler) and W.O. Erwin (Secretary). W.C. Alexander (Exalted Ruler) and W.O. Erwin (Secretary) led the group in 1905-06. In 1909, the Exalted Ruler was C.S. Kramer and the Secretary was W. Scott Carroll. In the summer of 1909, the Elks determined to acquire their own home. They initially decided to buy and remodel the building at the rear of the First National Bank on E. 2nd Street. This building was purchased in November 1909 and plans for its remodeling were drawn up by a Mr. Hubbard, the mechanical draftsman for the Ohio Colorado Smelting and Refining Company in Salida. For some reason not determined, the Elks abandoned the approach outlined above in favor of constructing a new building at the northwest corner of E. 2nd and E streets. The building committee was composed of Frank B. Churcher, Robert P. Rubin, and John W. Carroll. None of the newspaper articles examined noted the name of the architect or builder. The building was dedicated on December 29, 1910. The total cost of the land and building was about $33,029, with furniture and fixtures adding another $13,039. The Salida Mail gave lengthy coverage to the dedication of the new Elk's home. The newspaper noted the five foot white sandstone foundation, the red pressed brick walls, and the cornerstone of Salida granite. The main entrance was surmounted by leaded, colored glass with a design of an elk's head in the center. Above the second floor balcony was a three-foot diameter glass clock face showing eleven o'clock which could be illuminated from behind by electric light. One of the dedication speakers explained the symbolism: eleven o'clock is "the majestic hour when all Elks turn away from the thought of business life and the living to the thoughts of the dead and departed ones." An extensive discussion of the interior rooms and furnishings was provided by the newspaper, which noted the ample use of oak in wainscoting, paneling, and the main staircase, a ten foot fireplace with a tile hearth, and a 60'X40' lodge room on the second floor with a domed ceiling, orchestra balcony, and a maple floor ("the finest dancing floor in Salida"). By late 1927, the Elks still had about $5,000 of indebtedness remaining from construction of the new building. At that time the local chapter had about 481 members. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
149 Lower E Street
Real estate appraisal card. 149 Lower E Street, lots 11-13, block 3, in Salida, Colorado.
200 E. 1st Street
Real estate appraisal card. 200 E. 1st, lots 15 & 16, block 3, in Salida, Colorado. This card is mislabeled as 304 1st Street. The eastern part of this building appears to have been erected on or before 1926, as it appears in a 1926 photograph. The 1929 Sanborn map labels it a store. The 1930-31 city directory lists Waggoner's Tire Shop, operated by Ray S. and Harry E. Waggoner, at this address. The 1945 Sanborn map shows two buildings: a filling station and a tire service. The present building was erected after 1945, apparently encompassing the older tire service building. The 1951 city directory lists two businesses at this address: Bob's Tire Shop (operated by Frank· Craig) and Corder's Drive-in Restaurant (operated by Irvin Corder). History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
200 F Street
Real estate appraisal card. 200 F Street, part of lots 1-4, block 32, in Salida, Colorado.

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