Real estate appraisal card. 133 E. Sackett Avenue, 100' lots 4 & 5, block 4, in Salida, Colorado.
A Salida Record article reports that the building was erected in 1902 by J.W. DeWeese. James Watt DeWeese, a native of Ohio, grew up in Ohio and Indiana and apprenticed in the shops of the Lake Shore Railroad as a machinist. In 1887, he came to Salida to work as a machinist for the D&RG Railroad. He worked for the D&RG three years in Salida and three years in Gunnison, studied freehand drawing in Cincinnati, traveled to California, and returned to Salida In 1894. DeWeese formed a partnership in the real estate and loan business with W.S. "Shamus" O'Brien.
He bought out O'Brien in 1898. DeWeese also served as secretary of the Salida Building and Loan Association and as secretary of School District Number 7. In 1900, he was described as "doing an excellent business and is one of the most popular young business men in the county."
Ground was broken for this building in January 1902. It was 50'X30', twelve room, "two department terrace on Front street on the lots located between the Kinney building and the corner of E street." The impact of the building was described at the time of its construction: "This building will fill up a very conspicuous gap in the otherwise solid and attractive front that the town presents from the depot and will be appreciated accordingly by the public. It is likely that the owners of the other lots adjoining will in the near future build similar buildings on their ground and fill the space to the corner." The building's foundation was in by late February 1902, and the Salida Mail commented that
"the plans provide for arrangements which will make it a very handsome and desirable residence. A large force of hands is at work, and the building will be completed in the very near future."
The 1903-04 city directory indicated that Amanda B. Creswell was operating a boarding house in this building. The 1909 city directory referred to this building as the DeWeese Terrace and listed its address as 121 E. Front. The Sanborn maps for 1904 through 1929 show the building in use as a two-unit dwelling. It was addressed as 135-37 in 1904 and 133-35 subsequently. The 1945 Sanborn map identified this building as the New Haven Hotel.
