Historic Walking tour of old toWn
History
Adapted from “ Historic Walking Tour - Old Town ” written by Wayne C . Sundberg for the Fort Collins Historical Society . A majority of the buildings on this tour are part of both national and local designated historic districts . Note : A “ block ” refers to one building that housed multiple businesses , not a city block .
1 . The Fort Collins Museum is the perfect place to start your Old Town exploration . Constructed in 1904 of native sandstone , the Fort Collins Museum building originally served as the Fort Collins Public Library . Industrialist Andrew Carnegie provided the $ 12,500 to fund the building . Today , the Fort Collins Museum features regional cultural and natural history exhibits in three galleries . The Heritage Courtyard houses 3 historic cabins and a 1905 one-room schoolhouse . ( 200 Mathews )
2 . McHugh House and Hospital ( 202 Remington ) - Referred to as the “ House of the Mayors ,” this castellated sandstone structure was begun in 1885 by Lars Kemoe , a sandstone mason , but wasn ’ t completed until 1888 . The second owner , C . B . Andrews , added the carriage house . Two other owners , Jessie Harris and Peter J . McHugh , were mayors of Fort Collins . McHugh , a doctor , converted the carriage house into a hospital . ( Currently home to St . Peter ’ s Fly Shop .)
3 . Old Post Office ( College & Oak ) - This was the first structure to be built as a post office in the town . Constructed in 1912 in the Italian Renaissance style , it occupied the site of the original military cemetery . The post office moved to the new Federal Building in 1972 . ( Currently home to Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art .)
4 . Kissock Block ( 117 E . Mountain ) - Montezuma Fuller designed and built the original Kissock Block for John A . C . Kissock in 1889 . Edwards , Kissock , and Abbott , abstractors , were the structure ’ s first occupants . After a fire severely damaged the building in 1895 , it was rebuilt .
5 . Opera House Block ( 119 N . College ) - Built in 1880-81 , this building is part of a business block which originally housed the Welch Dry Goods Store , Franklin Avery ’ s Larimer County Bank , and the Windsor Hotel . The structure hosted traveling performers and served as a social center , courtroom , the scene of political rallies , and a venue for high school graduations . In 1917 , the building underwent extensive remodeling and the name was changed to “ Central Hall .” ( Currently home to Europa Salon & Spa .)
6 . Commercial Bank & Trust ( 146 N . College ) - Designed by architect Arthur W . Garbutt , this classical revival-style building was completed in 1907 . It was one of the first financial institutions to be controlled by owners from outside the community . It was the location of Home Federal Savings and Loan for many years .
7 . Old Miller Bottling Works ( 173 N . College ) - Constructed in 1881 , this was where Robert Miller bottled “ Golden Lager Beer ,” a forerunner of today ’ s Coors Beer .
8 . Northern Hotel ( 172 N . College ) - Hotels have occupied this site since the early days . First , the wooden Agricultural Hotel , then the ornate brick Commercial Hotel stood here . In 1905 , a major renovation completely altered the Commercial Hotel . A stained glass dome was installed in the dining room and the name changed to the Northern . The art deco facade and a fourth floor were alterations of the 1930 ’ s .
9 . Jefferson Street Block & Vandewark Building ( 200 Block of Jefferson ) - This group of brick buildings were built between 1879 and 1881 . Denver architect , William Quayle , designed the Jefferson Street Block as well as several other structures . These buildings were part of the business center of Fort Collins when Jefferson and Linden Streets were the main commercial intersection in the 1880 ’ s .