In 1888, Albert Edmund Hanks erected what was described as "a commodious two-story eight room frame residence" on this site at a cost of $1,500. Mr. Hanks, born in 1847 in Connecticut, married Mary E. Harvey, a childhood friend. The couple had seven children. The family moved to Colorado due to a decline in Albert's health, and after spending much of two years "in camp," they settled in Salida in 1885. Here Mr. Hanks engaged in a lumber business located at the northeast corner of E. First and D streets, and served as secretary of the school board. Albert E. Hanks died in 1898. Mary E. Hanks died at this address in 1940, two days short of her 92nd birthday. Miss Helen Hanks was one of her surviving children.
The first Hanks house was demolished after 1945, based on Sanborn maps and the current size and footprint of the house. An old Assessor's appraisal card indicates that Helen Hanks was a previous owner of the current house and was listed here in the city directory of 1965. She was a life-long resident of Salida, born in 1889 and graduated from Salida High School in 1907. Helen was employed by Henry R. Hay of the Hay Studio. After Hay's death, Helen owned and operated the studio. Helen Hanks passed away in 1973.
History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
This image is from the Salida Centennial Photo Collection.
