A walk along Main Street in downtown
Trinidad reveals a significant number of
buildings and blocks constructed during the
1880’s. A wide variety of architectural
styles are represented. Many are constructed
of stone quarried at local quarries, or of
bricks from the Trinidad Brick Works (Summit
Brick) north of town. In recent years many
of the buildings have been restored and or
renovated. Some were originally constructed
as homes for prominent Trinidad citizens but
have since been converted to commercial use.
Not all of these buildings are located on
Main Street, but all are within a few blocks
of the downtown area.
THE BELL BLOCK — Built in the
1880’s, it was gutted by fire and rebuilt in
the 1970’s, retaining the outer walls and
modified pediment of facade. It presently
houses several shops.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK -Built
in 1892 in Romanesque Revival style, the
bank building features carved faces on the
doorway arch and upper facade. It is
depicted in the hospital mural “our Proud
Heritage.”
TRINIDAD OPERA HOUSE -Built
in 1882 by the Jaffa brothers, who were
early merchants in Trinidad, the opera house
originally seated 800 people. It now houses
a drug store and other shops. The building
is listed on the National Register of
Historic Buildings.
COLUMBIAN HOTEL -Opened in
1880 as the Grand Union Hotel, the name was
changed in honor of the 40th anniversary of
Columbus landing in America. The old
register contains names of presidents, movie
stars and other prominent persons. A brass
plaque affixed to the front of the building
identifies it as the site along the Santa Fe
Trail Junction. Walking Tours - Trinidad -
Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce
THE SHERMAN BUILDING -Built
in 1885, this two-story brick building,
located at 210 N. Commercial, is an example
of late Victorian commercial architecture.
It was renovated in 1982 and is now in
commercial use.
MULLARE FUNERAL HOME -This
mansion on East Main Street between Chestnut
and Walnut is an excellent example of
opulent Victorian style. Built in 1883 by
Delos Chappell, city engineer, as a private
residence, it now houses a water reservoir
and filtration plant on the third floor.
OLD FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
—This classic example of massive stone
architecture was built in 1922 by Reverend
Stevens, stonemason and parson. The
building, located at 400 East Main Street,
features much of its original style and
decor.
MEMORIAL SOUARE
—Constructed in the mid-1930’s by the Works
Progress Administration as a memorial to war
veterans, this stone structure was built in
the shape of a fort. It is located on South
Chestnut Street between East First and
Second Streets and now houses the Office of
Social Services.
THE STONE MANSION BED AND BREAKFAST
—This classic “Empire” — style building
located at 212 East Second Street, was
erected at the turn of the century as the
home of C.H. Nichols. Mr. Nichols was a wool
and hide merchant in Trinidad and later
operated the brickyard north of town.
SCHNEIDER BREWERY AND HOME
-The brewery, located ~n Convent Street
between Plum and Church Streets, was built
in 1880 Tuscan or Italian style. The
Schneider family home, which is still a
private residence, is at the corner of
Stonewall Avenue and Schneider Street.
TRINIDAD WATER WORKS -Under
the supervision of Delos Chappell, this
building was constructed in 1879 and is one
the three oldest structures in Trinidad,
along with the Baca House and the Trinidad
Opera House. The building is located on
Cedar Street by the Purgatoire River and
still serves as offices of the Trinidad
Water Department.
LAS ANIMAS BLOCK —Built in
1883 by Elbridge Sopris at the corner of
Main and Beech Streets, the structure has
been restored by owner Robert Fabec, who had
every detail approved by the State
Preservation Office inspector.
WEST BLOCK —This building,
located on the corner of Main and Animas
Streets, was originally constructed by
Edward West and is currently being renovated
by the McGuire family. It is typically
Victorian with a mixture of Romanesque
overtones and Near East touches.
The booklet “A Walk Through the History of
Trinidad” is available at several locations.
It offers a more complete and in-depth
history of these and other historical
buildings in Trinidad, as well as a truly
interesting look into Trinidad’s past. |
