WHERE TO GO

a historic walk A Journey Through Old Town... a 1 hour tour JouRney thRough

old town Legend has it that in the early 1800s, French-Canadian fur traders were caught by a tremendous snowstorm. To lighten their load, they buried large amounts of gun- powder (“poudre” in French) in a hiding place (“cache”) along the banks of a river — the , which runs through modern-day Fort Collins.

In 1862, Camp Collins was built by the 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry to protect travelers and settlers along the branch of the . A flood in June 1864 sent the solders to higher ground near present-day downtown. Less than three years later, the fort was abandoned.

By 1872, the former fort site had a small hotel, general store and post office, a mill, school and brick yard. The Colorado Central Railroad arrived in 1877, and Fort Collins became a thriving agricultural center. DID YOU KNOW? Colorado Agricultural & Mining College constructed its first classroom building, later called Old Main, in This walking tour is 1879, further establishing Fort Collins as the economic and cultural center of the region. The school was adapted from “Historic renamed Colorado State University in 1957.

Walking Tour – Old Thanks to the efforts of local citizens and the City’s historic preservation program, modern-day visitors to Town,” by Wayne C. Fort Collins can stroll back through time to the town’s earliest days in and around Old Town. The district Sundberg, SundDay was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978; the majority of the buildings on this walk- Research Associates. ing tour are part of both national and locally designated historic districts, and Fort Colllins was named a Preserve America city by the White House in 2005.

NOTE: “Block” refers to one building that 1 n the fort collins museum xeriscape landscaping and four sandstone structure was begun in housed multiple busi- 200 Mathews StREET: A 1903 historic cabins illustrating Fort 1885 by Lars Kemoe, a sandstone Carnegie Library building, is the Collins history: the 1859 An- mason, but wasn’t completed nesses, not a modern perfect place to start your Old toine Janis cabin, the 1864 Eliza- until 1888. The second owner, city block. Town exploration. Constructed beth “Auntie” Stone cabin, the C.B. Andrews, added the car- of native sandstone, the build- 1882 Franz-Smith cabin, and the riage house. Two other owners, ing served as the Fort Collins 1905 Boxelder Schoolhouse. Jessie Harris and Peter J. McHugh, Public Library until 1976. Today, were mayors of Fort Collins. the Fort Collins Museum features 2 n mchugh house & hospital McHugh, a doctor, converted the regional cultural and local his- 202 Remington StREET: Cur- carriage house into a hospital. ABOVE PHOTO: tory exhibits in three galleries. rently home to St. Peter’s Fly the linden hotel in historic old town square The beautiful Heritage Courtyard Shop. Referred to as the “House 3 n armstrong hotel by Sam Cox features a plaza, seating areas, of the Mayors,” this castellated 259 S. College AveNUE, formerly

14 n FORT COLLINS CONVENTIONS & VISITORS BUREAU a historic walk

the Mountain Empire Hotel: 9 n northern hotel 14 n linden hotel In 1923, architect Arthur Pringle 172 N. College AveNUE: Hotels 250 Walnut StREET: Abner Loomis designed this lovely three-story have occupied this site since the and Charles Andrews had this im- brick structure for Charles Mantz, early day. First the wooden Ag- posing structure built in 1882-83, who named it for his wife’s father, ricultural Hotel, then the ornate to house the banking firm of Sto- Andrew Armstrong. The hotel’s brick Commercial Hotel stood ver, Sheldon & Co. (Poudre Valley 41 guest rooms and two large din- here. In 1905, a major renovation Bank). The Mason occupied the 2 ing rooms catered to the newly completely altered the Commercial upper two floors for the first few popular “long-distance automo- Hotel,. A stained glass dome was years. Between 1917 and 1983, bile tourism.” This landmark was installed in the dining room and the Linden Hotel shared the build- restored to its former Art Deco el- the name changed to the North- ing with many other businesses. egance in 2004, welcoming guests ern. The fourth floor was added It was a keystone structure to the 5 and housing an array of restau- in 1924, and the Art Deco façade renovation of the Old Town area. rants at street level. was an alteration of the 1930s original. The latest renovation 15 n fire house 4 n old post office of the Northern began in the 232 Walnut Street: As the town College Avenue at Oak Street: 1990s, and in 2001 it reopened grew in its early days, the need Currently home to the Fort Col- as affordable senior housing, with for a city hall and fire station in- 7 lins Museum of Contemporary retail establishments on the creased. This building met both Art. This was the fist structure street level. those needs when completed in to be built as a post office in the 1882. City offices remained here town. Constructed in 1912 in 10 n jefferson street block until 1958, while the fire station the Italian Renaissance style, it & vandewark building stayed until 1973. The bell tower 9 occupied the site of the original 200 block of Jefferson Street: was rebuilt and the facade re- military cemetery. The post office This group of brick buildings was stored in an extensive renovation moved to the new Federal Build- built between 1879 and 1881. project between 1979 and 1982. ing in 1972. Denver architect William Quayle designed this block as well as 16 n whitton block 10 5 n kissock block several other structures. These 15 Old Town Square: In 1905, 117 E. Mountain AveNUE: Local buildings were part of the busi- Irishman John Whitton built this architect Montezuma Fuller de- ness center of Fort Collins in the building for his J. Whitton & Co. signed and built the original for 1880s, when Jefferson and Linden Clothing, Furnishings, Boots and A.C. Kissock in 1889. Edwards, streets were the main commercial Shoes. For many years various ho- Kissock and Abbot, abstractors, intersection. tels occupied the second floor. One were the structure’s first occupant. of the most interesting businesses After a fire severely damaged the 11 n original stover city to occupy the first floor was the building in 1895, it was rebuilt. drug building Anti-Trust Fruit Store, named for 261 Linden StREET: In 1882, Frank the many anti-trust suits brought 13 6 n opera house block Stover tore down “Old Grout,” the against major corporations in the 119 N. College AveNUE: Built in original sutlers store from the Fort early 1900s. 1880-81, this building is part of Collins military post, to make way a business block that originally for his new drug store. Just as his 17 n mcpherson block housed the Welch Dry Goods new store was being completed, 19 Old Town Square: John McP- Store, Franklin Avery’s Larimer it burned to the ground. It took hearson, a Scottish immigrant, County Bank and the Windsor Ho- him five years to rebuild a single erected this block in 1884. It 14 tel. The structure hosted traveling story building. He added a second featured windows bordered with performers and served as a social story in 1905, giving us the pres- stained glass and an ornate pressed center, courtroom, the scene of ent structure, which was renovated metal cornice. Woetz Bros. Cloth- political rallies and a venue for in 1983. ing Co., an early occupant, fea- high school graduations. In 1917, tured top-of-the-line merchandise the building underwent extensive 12 n original poudre valley displayed in solid oak wall cases remodeling and the name was bank building and clothing tables. changed to “Central Hall.” 235 Linden StREET: William Sto- 15 ver and Charles Sheldon built the 18 n miller block 7 n commercial bank & trust first story of this structure in 1879. 11 Old Town Square: Frank Mill- 146 N. College AveNUE: Designed Their banking business, Poudre er, a Danish immigrant, came to by architect Arthur W. Garbutt, Valley Bank, moved to the corner Fort Collins from the mining town this Classical Revival-style building of Linden and Walnut streets four of Black Hawk in 1882. This build- was completed in 1907. It was one years later. The second story was ing, partially completed in 1888 of the first financial institutions added by 1904. and finished by 1894, was designed to be controlled by owners from to house Miller’s Liquor Busi- outside the community. It was the 13 n reed-dauth block ness and a dry goods store called location of Home Federal Savings 223 Linden StREET: This ornate The Fair Store, which served the and Loan for many years. structure was designed by Den- community for 52 years. Miller’s ver architect William Quayle in Liquor Business disappeared in 8 n old miller bottling works 1881. It had the first plate-glass 1896 when the town went dry. 18 173 N. College AveNUE: Con- front in Fort Collins. E.W. Reed, a structed in 1881, this was where jeweler, and Louis Dauth, a baker, Robert Miller bottled “Golden were the original owners and Lager Beer.” occupants. Listings are continued on page 16...

RESERVATIONS: www.ftcollins.com n 15 WHERE TO GO

Listings continued from page 15... the important role of ghost signs

19 n seckner/forrester block 317 Walnut Street: Steven H. Signs speak of the people who run past to speak to the present in ways Seckner and W.L. Forrester built the businesses, shops, and firms. that buildings by themselves do this business block in 1905. Seck- They project an image; they set a not. And multiple surviving historic ner was a prominent photogra- mood and define a place. Signs are signs on the same building can in- pher in Old Town and his many signatures. They reflect the owner’s dicate several periods in its history WE’RE HONORED photos give excellent glimpses of or use. In this respect, signs are the early town and its citizens. Just some of the like archeological layers that reveal The structure served as his photo- different periods of human occu- accolades that have graphic studio. pancy and use. been bestowed on Fort 20 n howard block Collins over the years: 3 Old Town Square: Built around Coca-Cola Located on the east 1902, the second story was added wall of the J.L. Hohnstein Block, in 1907. In its early years, it 220 E. Mountain, Coopersmith n #1 Small City in housed a grocery store and the Brewing Co. today. America by Money office of the Poudre Valley Gas • This sign was for the “new, 12 oz, king-sized” bottle. Magazine, 2006. Co. Later, L.C. Bradley’s bicycle business occupied the building. • It was the former location of Angell’s Delicatessen. • It was painted by Don Brown in 1958. n One of the Top Ten 21 n j.l. honstein block • The sign is a “privilege” sign; a company pays for a New American Dream business’ sign for the privilege of putting up another 5 Old Town Square: Currently sign advertising its product. The Coca-Cola company Towns by Outside home to CooperSmith’s Pub & paid Brown to do the “Angell’s Delicatessen and Party taste and personality. They often re- Magazine, 2005. Brewing, with entrances on both Service” sign that stretches across the top of its own flect the ethnic makeup of a neigh- soft drink sign promoting the king-size 12-ounce bottle, the plaza and Mountain Avenue. which just hit the market. The cost then of painting n Preserve America The Linden Street (plaza) side borhood and its character, as well was 50-60 cents per square foot, about $400-for the City for historic pres- is the oldest portion of the build- as the social and business activities 3-5 day project. ing, having been constructed carried out there. By giving con- • This may easily be the most popular sign in Fort Collins, ervation by the White in part because it is in a very visible location on E. in the late 1880s. Albert Damm crete details about daily life in a Mountain Avenue, and also because it is an advertising House, 2005 operated a bakery and grocery out former era, historic signs allow the product that exists today and everyone is familiar with. of it for a number of years after n ICLEI 5-Star Award 1891. The Mountain Avenue side, for efforts to reduce dating from 1904, had among its global warming and occupants a lady chiropractor, pollution, 2002. Emma Aubrey (1913-14), who advertised “No Surgery-No Medi- cine-No Faith-No Osteopathy.” n Top 5 Off-Beat Towns Willow St. – Off-Beat Travel 2008. 10 Jefferson St. 22 n h.a. crafts block ve. 25 Old Town Square: Built in Pine St. n Dog Friendly Town Linden St. 1882-83 as the second home – Dog Fancy 2007 11 of the Fort Collins Express, the 12 town’s first newspaper. Its many College A 15 n Top 30 Fast Cities 8 9 13 early uses included a hardware W 14 – Fast Company 2007 16 alnut St. store, bar and restaurant. One 7 Chestnut St. later owner added a bowling alley Trimble Ct. 17 n Best Places to Live on the second floor and named – Kiplingers 2007 the establishment “Ed’s Three B’s 6 22 18 19 … Bowling, Billiards, and Beer.” 23 own Square 21 20 n One of 18 Perfect Later an archery range replaced Old T Lincoln St. Towns – Outside the bowling alley. Mountain Ave. Magazine 2005 6 23 n avery block 106 E. Mountain Avenue: Built in St. 1897, this imposing structure be- came the home of Franklin Avery’s First National Bank. Avery was

responsible for laying out the Mathews Oak St. Remington St. Map for reference only not to scale city’s wide streets when the town 4 was established in 1873. The 2 Avery family home at 328 W. 1 N Mountain Ave. was the first 3 structure in the city to be placed on the National Register of Olive St. Historic Places. •

16 n FORT COLLINS CONVENTIONS & VISITORS BUREAU a historic walk

SCRIVNER’S GROCERY & MARKET Located at 152 West Mountain Avenue (Steak-Out Saloon).

• The owners had planned to paint their new sign over it and cover it up, but the Fort Collins Historical Society and several pioneer citizens convinced them to save it as a “ghost sign” of the past history of the building. • The building was built circa 1907 as the A.L. Wheeler Laundry. • It was a grocery store in 1917, the American Theatre in 1922, and Scrivner’s Grocery located there in 1941.

GUIDED FLY FISHING TRIPS Float & Wade PublicGGUIDEDUIDE D& FFLYPrivateLY Water More ghost Signs to look for: FISHINGFISHINGGUIDED UTTRIPSRIDIPESD FFLYLY www.stpetes.com WhereFloatFFISHING &I S AllWadeH YourING TTRIPSRIPS CHAMPION Spark Plugs Public & Private Water Colorado Bakery & Grocery www.stpetes.com Fly FishingFloat & Wade www.stpetes.com970.498.8968 WhereWhere AAllll YYourour The Fair Store 970.498.8968 FFlylNeedsy FishingFiPublicshi nAreg NeedsN &eMete Privateds Water OWL CIGAR AArere MMetet PARAMOUNT LAUNDERS & CLEANERS 202202 Remington Remington Street Street WhereWhere AAllll YYourour 970.498.8968LocatedLocated in inhistoric historic St.St. Peter’s Fly ShopFly Shopoperates operates under a Special under Use permita Special Use permit PEPSI-COLA sign withwith thethe Roosevelt Roosevelt National National Forest (Outfitter FFlyForestly #2520 FishingF i(Outfitters) hing #2520)NeedsNeeds downtowndowntown Fort Fort Collins! Collins! AArere MMetet 202 Remington Street Located in historic St. Peter’s Fly Shop operates under a Special Use permit Fort Collins history comes to life! downtown Fort Collins! with the Roosevelt National Forest (Outfitter #2520)

200 Mathews Street • Fort Collins, CO 970.221.6738 www.fcgov.com/museum/ Tues-Sat 10 am-5pm • Sun noon-5pm Closed Mon & Holidays

RESERVATIONS: www.ftcollins.com n 17