Real estate appraisal card. 131 E. 2nd Street, lot 5, block 31, in Salida, Colorado.
The oldest part of this building was constructed between 1883 and 1886 as a dwelling set back from E. 2nd Street. Sanborn maps for 1886 through 1898 continue to identify it as a dwelling. The northern (front) part of the building was erected between 1898 and 1904. Sanborn maps for 1904 through 1945 show this building addressed as 133 E. 2nd Street.
The 1903-04 city directory reported that Mrs. Lula E. Spencer resided here and pursued her trade as a milliner. Amos P. Slater operated a blacksmith shop in the rear portion of the building. The 1904 Sanborn map shows the northern portion of this building in use as a harness shop and the south serving as a dwelling. In 1909 the Christian Science Hall and Reading Room was housed in the building. The 1914 Sanborn map shows a cobbler in the building.
The 1922-23 through 1930-31 city directories list the wall paper business of William C. Keim at this address. The 1945 Sanborn map indicates that a wall paper and paint store was located in the building.
The 1951 and 1961 city directories list Martin's Shoe Repair here. Virgil W. Martin was the owner. At the time of the 1981 historic buildings survey, a "Shoe Service" occupied the building.
History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
