309 F Street

Description

Real estate appraisal card. 309 F Street, lot 24, block 50, Haskell's Addition, in Salida, Colorado. This house, built in 1891 according to the Chaffee County Assessor, was the residence of dentist Charles S. Kramer, who was listed in the 1903-04 city directory. He continued to live here during 1905-06. By 1910, Mr. Kramer was renting another house on F street. By 1910 Joseph "Joe" D. Randol, one of Salida's most prominent businessmen, lived here with his wife Anna, son John H. and daughter Josephine. Mr. Randol was born in Shelby County, Missouri on January 31, 1865. Prlor to moving to Salida, he worked for his father's bank in Monroe City, Missouri. He came to Colorado with his family at the age of 19. He married Anna Shale in Clarence, Missouri in 1890. The Randols lived in Moffat and then In Florence. Mr. Randol ran general merchandise stores in both places. They moved to Salida about 1904 and lived here continuously until Mr. Randol's death. Over the years, Mr. Randol was a member of the city council, president of the Commercial Club for three years, Exalted Ruler of the Elks In 1916, director of the building and loan association, and a member of the school board. He was also a member of the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen, and the Odd Fellows Lodge. Mr. Randol died suddenly of a heart attack in April 1920, at which time the family lived at 602 F Street. His obituary noted, "He had seen Salida grow from a mere village and he was instrumental In Its growth, always taking part In any movement to further the interests of the town." Mrs. Randol was born in 1872 and died in 1934. The 1920 U.S. Census indicated that this house was being rented by members of an extended family headed by Myrtle Brown Wilbur, a 36-year-old Colorado-born yard master clerk with the railroad. Also living here were Wilbur's daughter, Miriam; her mother, Mary Brown, a widow, and her brother. Emmet Brown, who worked as a machinist In a garage. Myrtle Brown married Leslie Farmer and was living next door at 313 F Street by 1930. Her mother moved to that address by 1927-28. By that time, Isaac W. and Sarah J Haight resided here. They had previously lived at 313 F. Mr Haight was born In New York In 1853 and passed away In October 1933. Mrs. Haight was born February 23, 1856, in England and died in March of 1934. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1885. The 1910 Census indicates that the Haights were already living in Salida, but does not list their address. Mr. Haight's occupation is listed as "own income" during that year. The Haights were still lilving at 309 F St. in 1930-31. The 1930 Census indicates that A.C. Weeks, Mrs. Haight's 84-year-old sister from England, was living with them. At the time of the 1951 City Directory, 309 F St. was not listed. In 1965, Frank E. and Katherine Gibson owned the property. Mr. Gibson worked as a switchman for Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.