|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The town, like numerous Colorado communities of the period, was a creation of the railroad company and its associates. Unlike many other Colorado towns, however, Salida remained essentially a creature of the Denver & Rio Grande. While other industries, the usual mix of mining, quarrying, smelting, agriculture and retail trade—along with the usual 'related' trades of salooning, gambling and prostitution—were practiced at various times and magnitudes in Salida, it was the railroad that defined the community.Salida has a rich history and a wealth of architecture to support that history. Salida is home to the Salida Downtown National Register District which includes many wonderful examples of turn of the century commercial structures. The downtown buildings were resurveyed in 2001-2002 by Front Range Research Associates, Inc. This intensive survey of the Salida Downtown Historic District totaled 135 buildings. Part of the project also included a reconnaissance survey which identified priority areas for future intensive survey work within the City. This survey report includes a complete history of the Salida area and the downtown in particular.This survey can be viewed here: 2001 Survey Report Additional surveys of residential buildings and neighborhoods were completed by Front Range Research Associates, Inc. in 2006 and 2007. The 2006 survey included properties surrounding Alpine Park and selected homes throughout the City. This survey can be viewed here: 2006 Survey Report. The 2007 survey included 100 properties east of the downtown historic district in the neighborhood surrounding the historic Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. This survey can be viewed here: 2007 Survey Report. All three of the surveys were funded by grants from the Colorado State Historical Fund with support from the City of Salida.
In October of 2004, Salida entered the Certified Local Government program. In October of 2005 the City hosted a three-evening workshop series for property owners and those interested in downtown revitalization. For more information about historic preservation in Salida, visit Historic Salida Inc. © Copyright 2003 ~ 2006, City of Salida |
History of the Region
The City of Salida adopted a local ordinance in 2002 (updated in 2005) that provides for the review and approval of any exterior alterations to buildings located within the Salida Downtown Historic District. Additionally, the ordinance provides procedures for locally designating historic buildings, structures, sites and districts. Two sites have been designated as local landmarks under this ordinance, the Salida Opera House at 129 W. 1st Street and the original structure of the Denver and Rio Grande Hospital at 448 E. 1st Street.