Florence in Fremont County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

101-103 W. Main Street

100 West Main Street

— 104-108 South Pikes Peak Ave. —

100 & 101-103 W. Main Street Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023

1. 100 & 101-103 W. Main Street Markers

Inscription. The original two story business building at the corner of S. Pikes Peak and W. Main St,, built with local white brick from Pueblo and white stone trim from Norman McKay's quarry, was considered "the handsomest and most pretentious building in Florence." It was erected by the Blunt family for business in 1896-1897. Joseph Blunt came to the United States from England before the Civil War and eventually started a homestead at Coal Creek, raising nine children with his wife Rebecca. The family made it's wealth from the Cripple Creek mines and then settled in Florence in 1894. Known as "Bank Block" this building once housed the Bank of Florence and still has the walk-in bank vault intact. It also was home to the "Florence Reading Room" or city library, as well as a post office and the "Florence Building and Loan". In December 1949, "Blunt Block" tragically burned down destroying the several businesses and private apartments it housed. It was called one of the worst calamities in Florence's history.

In 1950, the site was purchased by E.A. Mineer of Shiprock, N.M. and Florence, who planned to reinforce the foundation and walls in order to rebuild a modern one story commercial building. Since then, this location has been home to medical doctor offices, dentists, florists, and barber shops among others. To this day it boasts the original 1950's metal lettering on it's side wall, "Florence is a GLT" (great little town).

Erected by the City of Florence.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1949.

Location. 38° 23.393′ N, 105° 7.079′ W. Marker is in Florence, Colorado, in Fremont County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street and South Pikes Peak Avenue, on the left when traveling west

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on West Main Street. Near entrance to Florence Family Dentistry. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 W Main St, Florence CO 81226, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley

and in Pikes Peak Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City Drug (a few steps from this marker); Florence's Beginnings (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Agriculture & Ranching (within shouting distance of this marker); Florence Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Daniels Block Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The First National Bank of Florence (within shouting distance of this marker); 113 West Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); J. C. Penney (within shouting distance of this marker).

100 & 101-103 W. Main Street Markers on right of entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023

2. 100 & 101-103 W. Main Street Markers on right of entrance.

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.