10 . Original Poudre Valley Bank Building ( 233 Linden ) - William Stover and Charles Sheldon built the first story of this structure in 1879 . Their banking business , “ Poudre Valley Bank ,” moved to the corner of Linden and Walnut four years later . The second story was added by 1904 . ( Currently home to Jean Wilson Gallery .)
11 . Reed-Dauth Block ( 223 Linden ) - This ornate structure was designed by Denver architect , William Quayle , in 1881 . It had the first plate glass front in Fort Collins . E . W . Reed , a jeweler , and Louis Dauth , a baker , were the original owners and occupants of this business block .
12 . Linden Hotel ( 250 Walnut ) - Abner Loomis and Charles Andrews had this imposing structure built in 1882-83 , to house the banking firm of Stover , Sheldon and Company ( Poudre Valley Bank ). The Masons occupied the upper two floors for the first few years . Between 1917 and 1983 , the Linden Hotel shared the building with many other businesses . It is a keystone structure to the renovation of the Old Town area .
13 . Fire House ( 232 Walnut ) - As the town grew in its early days , the need for a city hall and fire station increased . This building met both those needs when completed in 1882 . City offices remained here until 1958 , while the fire station stayed until 1973 . The bell tower was rebuilt and the facade restored in an extensive renovation project between 1979 and 1982 , which restored the building to its now pristine condition .
14 . Whitton Block (# 15 Old Town Square ) - In 1905 , Irishman John Whitton built this building for his J . Whitton & Co . Clothing , Furnishing , Boot , and Shoes . For many years various hotels occupied the second floor . One of the most unique businesses to occupy the first floor was the Anti-Trust Fruit Store , named for the many anti-trust suits in the early 1900 ’ s . ( Currently home to the Police Station .)
Historic Walk Sponsor Jim Benest Fine Art Abstracts in Acrylic jimbenest . com
infor @ jimbenest . com
15 . McPhearson Block (# 19 Old Town Square ) - John McPhearson , a Scottish immigrant , erected this block in 1884 . It featured windows bordered with stained glass and an ornate pressed metal cornice . Woelz Brothers Clothing Company , one of the early occupants , featured top-of-the-line merchandise displayed in solid oak wall cases and clothing tables . ( Currently home to The Ram ’ s Horn and Crimson .)
16 . Miller Block (# 11 Old Town Square ) - Frank Miller , a Danish immigrant , came to Fort Collins from the mining town of Blackhawk in 1882 . This building , partially completed in 1888 and finished by 1894 , was designed to house Miller ’ s Liquor Business and a dry goods store called The Fair Store , which served the community for 52 years . Miller ’ s Liquor Business disappeared in 1896 when the town went dry .
17 . Howard Block (# 3 Old Town Square ) - Built around 1902 , the second story was added in 1907 . In its early years , it housed a grocery store and the office of the Poudre Valley Gas Company . Later I . C . Bradley ’ s Bicycle business occupied the building .
18 . J . L . Honstein Block (# 5 Old Town Square ) - With entrances on the plaza and Mountain Avenue , the Linden ( plaza ) side is the oldest portion of the building , having been constructed in the late 1880 ’ s . Albert Damm operated a bakery and grocery out of it for a number of years , after 1891 . The Mountain Avenue side , dating from 1904 , had among its occupants a lady chiropractor , Emma Aubrey ( 1913-1914 ), who advertised “ No Surgery-No Medicine-No Faith-No Osteopathy .” ( Currently home to Coopersmith ’ s Pub & Brewing .)
19 . H . A . Crafts Block (# 25 Old Town Square ) - Built in 1882-83 as the second home of the Fort Collins Express , the town ’ s first newspaper . Its many early uses included a hardware , bar , and restaurant . One later owner added a bowling alley on the second floor and named the establishment “ Ed ’ s Three B ’ s … Bowling , Billiards , and Beer .” Later an archery range replaced bowling on the second floor .
20 . Avery Block ( 106 E . Mountain ) - Built in 1897 , this imposing structure became the home of Franklin Avery ’ s First National Bank . Avery was responsible for laying out the city ’ s wide streets when the town was established in 1873 . The Avery family home at 328 W . Mountain Avenue was the first structure in the city to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places .
facebook . com / jimbenestart