Real estate appraisal card. 346 E. 1st Street, lots 25-26, block 2, in Salida, Colorado.
This house was built between 1895 and 1902. George and Mrs. Mary Ott lived here at the time of the 1903-04 city directory. Born in Germany in 1855, Mr. Ott emigrated to the U.S. in 1879. He was a naturalized citizen by 1900 and worked as a shoemaker. Mrs. Ott was born in 1865 in Illinois. The Otts had four daughters by 1900: Graye A. (17), Luella (14), Geneva Jater (11) and Ruth Pann (7). In 1900 they lived at 207 F St. Two workers for Denver & Rio Grande Railroad also lived here in 1903: William F. Balmer, a switchman and Eugene P. Mahoney, a brakeman. Lyman E. Hensley lived here in 1905-06. He was in the business of real estate, loans and insurance and had an office on the McGovern Block, over Bode's Drug Store. Also living here in 1905-06, was Edgar D. Lowe, who was in the business of mining.
In 1911-12, Thomas T. Morris (b.1871), a brakeman for D&RG, lived here. He was the father of two daughters and two sons. He was a veteran of the Spanish American War. He was also a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Masonic Lodge, the ORE, B of RT and the Eastern Star. He died at the age of 83, in the VA Hospital in Denver in April1955. Also living here in 1911-12, was Walter S. Porter, a boilermaker for D&RG.
Frederick D. and Bella D. Leason lived here in 1922. They had one son, Emory Leason, who went on to work for the State Highway Department. Fred Leason was a well-known railroad engineer for D&RG, where he devoted 35 years of his life. He started out as a shopman, moving on to the engine service. He died at the D&RGW Hospital, of an intestinal obstruction in July 1938. His obituary described him as "one of the best known and best liked railroad men in Salida." He was born 2 July 1880 in Emporia, Kansas. His family later moved to Raton, New Mexico, where he began working in the railroad industry. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In his spare time, he enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting. Born in 1884 in Illinois, Mrs. Bella Leason died in
1971.
In 1931, Frank M. and Minnie C. Peairs lived here. Mr. Peairs was the proprietor of the Salida Transfer Co. Mr. Peairs died in January 1954. Mrs. Peairs died in April 1960. In 1951, The De Noyer Flower Garden, owned by Donald L. and Pauline De Noyer, was housed here. The 1965 city directory indicated that Frank N. and Lola E. Dominguez lived here with their three children. Mr. Dominguez was an employee of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. Guy and Margaret Snedden are listed on an Assessor's appraisal card as previous owners.
History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
