Real estate appraisal card. 123 Lower F Street, part of lots 10-13, block 22 in Salida, Colorado. This card is labeled 121 F Street.
Sanborn maps indicate that this building was erected between 1883 and 1886. Between 1886 and 1893, the building housed a dry goods business. There were two dry goods firms listed in the 1887 Colorado State Business Directory for Salida: Smith & Randol Bros., and Craig, Sandusky, & Co.
Around 1897, a meat market was operating in the building. The 1903 city directory indicates that this was J.F. Hutchinson's meat market. Hutchinson had located to Salida about 1894. He advertised 'cleanliness and good service' at his market. In addition to meats, he also carried fruits, vegetables, eggs, butter, and pickled and canned goods. In 1900, the Salida Semi-Weekly Mail reported: 'It wasn't the leading establishment of the kind originally, but he has made it so through sheer force of personality .. He handles only the choicest meats .. Fresh vegetables and fruits are a specialty of the market and here can always be found the best and correct price.'
By 1922, the O.J. Welch Meat Store was operating here, and by 1927, the James Callaway Meat Market. By 1951, Argys Market was listed here.
History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
