Real estate appraisal card. 132 E. 1st Street, lot 21, block 4, in Salida, Colorado.
This building was erected between 1898 and 1904, based on Sanborn maps. The 1904 map shows the present building, which is labeled "restaurant." The 1903-04 city directory lists the Welch House, operated by Mrs. Mary Welch, at this address. The Welch House advertised furnished rooms and a restaurant. Mrs. Welch's family also lived here, including Kate (a student), Owen (a student), and Mrs. Pearl Welch. Mrs. Welch's boarding house was listed in the 1905-06 city directory at this address. The 1909 city directory listed the Salida Cafe at this address, together with furnished rooms offered by Mabel Button. The Salida Cafe advertised "Strictly Home Cooking," and offered single meals for 25 cents and 21 meals for $5. The 1911-12 city directory indicates that Mary Welch was managing furnished rooms upstairs. By 1914, the building housed a wallpaper and paint firm on the ground floor. The 1922-23 city directory indicated that Charles A. and Lena Morris lived here and had a wallpaper and paint store in the building. The same business was listed here in 1927 and 1930-31. The 1945 Sanborn map indicates a wallpaper and paint business here. By 1951, the first story housed Reekers & Son (wallpaper and paint), which included G.A. and W.D. Reekers. The same business was still here in 1961, owned by Dale G. Reekers.
History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
