230 & 240 F Street

Description

Real estate appraisal card. 230 & 240 F Street, part of lots 21-26, block 32, in Salida, Colorado. 230 F is currently 232 F. The McKenna Building: On 24 January 1902, the Salida Mail announced, "The plans for the splendid new business block to be erected by J.J. McKenna on the lots on upper F street opposite the Record block have been completed by Architect Henry Silf and are now in the hands of the contractors for estimates. The block will be as fine, if not the finest, in the city....The ground on which the building is to be constructed is a 50 foot front with a depth of 100 feet. There will be a basement underneath the building, 50 X 75 feet, to be used as storage room, it being the intention of Mr. McKenna to accommodate his entire business under one roof, avoiding the necessity of warehouse rooms in various parts of the city." On the same day, the Salida Record observed, "J.J. McKenna has completed plans for a building of which Salida will be proud--a fine hall. The plans for the splendid new business block to be erected by J.J. McKenna on the lots on upper F street opposite The Record have been completed by Architect Henry Silf and are now in the hands of the contractors for estimates. The block will be as fine, if not the finest, in the city and construction will begin as soon as is possible after the contract has been let...The entire ground floor will be occupied by Mr. McKenna's grocery and queensware store. The front is arranged with a six-foot stairway leading to the upper floor, a central entrance to the store room, and a corner show window on the alley side...The second floor harmonizes with the lower floor, there being a fine arched double window in the center. An ornamental cornice finishes the top of the building...The second floor will be arranged exclusively as a lodge room and will entirely eclipse anything in that line in this section of Colorado...The main hall will be in the rear of the building, 65 by 50 feet in dimensions, with a hard wood floor for dancing...Certainly Salida is to be congratulated on having such a building, and those people who have for so long been asking for an ample place for holding dances, receptions, etc., will find that it fully meets the needs of the city." On February 21, 1902, the Salida Record reported, "Ground was broken on Wednesday for the McKenna block, opposite The Record office...The new plans provide for a regular basement 50 X 75 feet which will extend from the front of the building toward the rear, being the same length as the main store room of the ground floor. The front elevation has been improved in appearance and will be handsomer than was at first intended. In quality the building will be of the very best and most substantial character. The full depth of the building will be 100 feet, a ware room 25 feet in depth being added to the main ground floor room. The second story will be 50 X 100 feet and will be arranged solely for a lodge room and accessories, which it is expected will be leased by the Elks...Mr. McKenna will use the entire ground floor and basement for his own business. He will vacate all warehouses in use at present and concentrate everything under one roof." The Salida Mail reported in 1902 that together with the adjacent Strait Block, "these two structures will greatly enhance the beauty of upper F street, and indeed the entire business section of the city." The January 1, 1903 edition of the Salida Mail listed the building under improvements undertaken in the previous year: "McKenna, J.J., 2-story business building, $20,000." The paper noted that the building was then "nearing completion," and specifically noted the Strait and McKenna blocks for mention, calling them "handsome and up-to­ date structures. The material used is of the best, being that of red pressed brick and white stone trimmings...The McKenna building, 50 X 100, consists of basement, ground floor, suitable for some large business firm, and the second floor, which will be elegantly furnished for the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks." The architect, Henry Silf, was described as "eminently well fitted for the calling he represents." He studied architecture at Stockholm College in Sweden, and had been working in the United States since 1878. In 1908 the Salida Mail stated, "Many of our magnificent and important buildings in different parts of the country has he planned, that will stand for ages to come as monuments to his credit." The completed building had a large store facing F Street, with storage space and furnished rooms at the rear. The second story featured the lodge hall of the Elks. The McKenna Grocery occupied the large store. McKenna Grocery Co. traced its roots to August 1890, when its predecessor company, Harrington & McKenna, was founded. That company operated until the fall of 1891, when Harrington retired and the firm changed itsname to McKenna & Kerndt. In October 1894, J.J. McKenna acquired control of the firm and its name changed to the McKenna Grocery Co. By 1900, the company was said to be second to none in Salida or central Colorado. The firm did retail business in Salida and the surrounding area, supplying mining companies and rural customers, and also had a large wholesale business supplying stores in smaller towns. By the time of the 1922-23 city directory, Hampson Brothers & Valdez Grocery (T.J. and R.L. Hampson and D.C. Valdez) occupied the main storefront. The store had originally been known as the Boston Tea & Coffee Co. on Lower F St. The McKenna Grocery was no longer listed in the city directory at that date. In 1923 the Crews-Beggs department store moved into this building, remaining until the business closed in 2000. Charles Webster Crews had moved to Colorado as a prospector. After five years of mining, he entered the clothing business, operating out of a Leadville cabin. Robert Henry Beggs, his uncle, was principal at Whittier School in Denver. Beggs furnished the money for the business and Crews operated the store, whose philosophy was "One Price, Plain Figures, and Spot Cash." The store was originally known as R.H. Beggs Dry Goods. In 1888, the company opened the R.H. Beggs and Co. store in Pueblo. The business incorporated in 1894 and its name changed to Crews-Beggs Dry Goods Company, Inc. That was the name of the firm when it opened its Salida store at 207-11 F Street. In 1923, Henry Schuck purchased the Leadville and Salida stores. Schuck managed the two stores until 1925, when the three stores formed three separate corporations: Crews-Beggs Dry Goods in Pueblo; Crews-Beggs Mercantile in Salida; and Crews-Beggs Trading in Leadville. Schuck served as manager of the Leadville store until his death and was succeeded by his son. The Crews-Beggs Mercantile Co. in Salida then was operated by J.J. McKenna, president and manager, and Patrick McKenna, secretary, until 1947. In that year, the McKennas sold their stock, and the store was managed by H.W. Blakey. In 1948, the store boasted: "No mergers or affiliations have marred the Crews-Beggs record as a truly independent store. We buy our merchandise direct from manufacturers of high reputation." When the store closed in Salida in 2000, it was the last Crews-Beggs store in operation in the state. The Strait Building: The Salida Mail reported on January 17, 1902 that excavation work had begun for the "handsome business block to be erected by J.H. Strait on the lots adjoining the Presbyterian church." On February 21, 1902 the Salida Record reported that work on the construction was well under way, and noted, "This block, in connection with that of Mr. McKenna adjoining, will effect one of the greatest improvements ever known in the business section of the city. It will be finely finished and in every way a credit to the builder and to the town." On 28 February 1902 the Salida Mail reported that "the work of excavating has been completed on the building to be erected by J.H. Strait on F street, between Second and Third, and the foundation is now being laid. This building will be one of the handsomest structures in the city when completed, and will be as substantial as it is handsome. The plans are for two stories and a basement, and the whole will be finished in the most approved and up-to-date manner." The building was located adjacent to the McKenna Block, being erected in a very similar design, most likely by the same architect, Henry Silf. On December 26, 1902 the Salida Mail observed, "This building, erected in connection with the McKenna building and in a very similar style of architecture, forms a part of one of the handsomest business blocks of the city. The lower floor and basement are occupied by retail stores while the second floor is arranged into handsome office suites, all of which are occupied. In every respect, the building is excellently appointed and finished." On January 1 1903, the Strait Building was complete, while the McKenna Building was still under construction. The Salida Mail noted, "The two buildings constructed at a cost of about $30,000 are handsome and up-to-date structures. The material used is of the best, being that of red pressed brick and white stone trimmings. The Strait building, 40 X 70 feet, consists of three floors, basement, ground floor of two storerooms and the upper floor of twelve office rooms." The newspaper recorded that Strait had erected his building for $10,000, while McKenna had spent $20,000. The owner of the new building, John H. Strait, was born in New York in 1865. He graduated from business college and engaged in businesses of various kinds, including serving as cashier of the Erie Railroad Co. From 1892 until he moved to Salida in 1901, he owned and operated a flour mill. He visited Salida for a month of recreation and liked it so well he returned to live. He also brought his brother, Charles Strait with him. After moving to Salida he invested in unimproved real estate, including "several of the best vacant lots in the city," and constructed excellent quality buildings. He also engaged in two businesses: Strait & Morris, manufacturers of sheet iron and tin, and Strait & Merkel, decorating and paper hanging, sign painting, and general decorative art work. Together with his brother, Charles, Strait bought out the jewelry business of C.B. Coffin on F Street. Furnishings for the store were brought from the East, including furniture of golden oak and wall cases with heavy French plate glass mirrors. Strait also acquired land at the northwest corner of 8th and F to build two brick residences. The likely architect, Henry Silf, who designed the similar McKenna Building next door, was described as "eminently well fitted for the calling he represents." He studied architecture at Stockholm College in Sweden, and had been working in the United States since 1878. In 1908 the Salida Mail stated, "Many of our magnificent and important buildings in different parts of the country has he planned, that will stand for ages to come as monuments, to his credit." The 1903-04 city directory indicated that one of the stores was occupied by Strait & Merkel (John H. Strait and Bernard F. Merkel), which offered wall paper, oils, paints, glass, painting, decorating, and sign painting. Also listed here were Tomlin & Meacham (Frank M. Tomlin and Oren R. Meacham) purveyors of staple and fancy groceries, bakery goods, flour, feed, and hay and grain. A 1904 advertisement in the Salida Record boasted the firm was the "leading grocery and bakery in Salida," and suggested, "give us a trial and be convinced." Mrs. Alice Van Pelt offered furnished rooms in the building, and Walter McBride had his legal office here. In 1905-06, Fulton Market (a meat market) was operating here. In 1909, Tomlin & Co. Grocery (Frank M. Tomlin and Warren P. Mann) was conducting business in the building and the Fulton Market was in the other storefront. The 1914 Sanborn map showed a millinery (234) and a grocery (238) in the building. The 1922-23 city directory listed the Fulton Meat Market still here, although the Tomlin & Meacham grocery was gone (Tomlin was then working as a postman and Meacham was associated with the Salida Record. The 1927-28 directory indicated that Fulton Meat Market was no longer in business. Edith Alexander, milliner, was operating in 238 F St. The Salida Credit Men's Association was listed in the upstairs offices of the building, as was Edward C. Berrian, insurance agent. In 1930-31 Mrs. Alice Gilbert, women's clothing, was conducting business in 238 F St. The upstairs rooms were identified as the Strait Hotel Apartments, William Cartenwine, proprietor. By 1951 238 F St. included three offices on the ground floor: Colorado State Revenue; Law Press Printers (Richard E. Law, owner); and John Peeples Real Estate. The upstairs rooms were known as the Groy Apartments, operated by Josephine Groy. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.