Real estate appraisal card. 129 F Street, lot 19, block 31, in Salida, Colorado. Mislabeled as 129 F Street.
Sanborn maps indicate that this buildng was erected about 1888, when the present building is shown and indicated as "not completed." The 1890 and 1893 Sanborn maps show a grocery on the first story and a photography studio on the second. In 1898, the Sanborn map Indicates that a printing shop was on the first story and a photo studio was on the second. The 1903-04 city directory lists Charles E. Skinner, "artistic photographs, all sizes and descriptions, views of residences, finishing for amateurs, Kodak supplies (ground floor)." The Salida Record described Skinner as "one of the finest photographic artists in the state." He specialized in portraits and outdoor views, as well as interiors of buildings. Skinner had previously been a photographer in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, and in San Francisco. He moved to Salida about 1900, and several of his photographs appeared in a special edition of the Salida Record on 19 September 1902. Also listed In the building in 1903-04 was the Record Publishing Company, publishers of the Salida Record, a newspaper. Henry J. Faull was secretary and treasurer of the company and Paul B. Smith was editor and president of the company. [For many years, there were two newspapers in Salida: the Mail and the Record. In 1948 Leigh Abbey bought both newspapers and merged them into the Salida Mountain Mail.] The newspaper was still operating here in 1905-06, when Oren R. Meacham was listed as the editor and manager. In that year. Joseph L. Barber's photographic studio and residence was also located in this building. Barber advertised "local view work a specially." Also operating in the building was Francis H. Droney, real estate, loans, fire and life insurance and notary public, who advertised offices in the Record Building.
By 1909 Henry R. Hay's photography studio was operating in the building (second story), along with the store of Mrs. T.W. Maurice, dressmaker. The Record had moved to 129-31 E. 2nd St. The 1914 Sanborn map indicates that the building housed a bookstore on the first story and a photographic studio on the second. The 1922-23 city directory lists Messenger's Book Store at this address. The store, operated by Leman W. and Myrtle Messenger, advertised books, magazines, stationery, school supplies, tourist novelties, Baldwin pianos, and sheet music. The 1945 Sanborn map shows a photo studio in this building. The 1951 city directory listed the Hay Photography Studio and Meinen Jewelry (watches, diamonds, repairs) operated by Fred H. Meinen. In 1961 Morris Photo Shop was located here and operated by Roy E. Morris.
History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
