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

Florence Auto Company

115-123 East Main Street

— Constructed in 1917 • Builder: Henry M. Fox —

Florence Auto Company Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 8, 2024

1. Florence Auto Company Marker

Inscription. In 1912 Henry Fox acquired the Ford Auto Agency and renamed it Florence Auto Co. After the business expanded Mr. Fox built two new buildings between 1917 and 1926 at this location, with the west bulding (1917) occupied by the Florence Auto Co. and the east building (1926) occupied by the Fox Machine Shop. When he died in 1938, H. M. Fox was described as one of the most prominent builders of heavy industries in Fremont County. The Florence Auto Co. was described as having "one of the largest payrolls to be found in the Florence area outside of the mines." Grandson Henry Alden Fox moved the machine shop to 115 E. Front St.

In 1949, Luke's Motor Company opened in the west end of the building and Florence Auto Co. was still in the east part. In 1950, Florence Auto Co. sold the Ford dealership to Jack Mineer. In May of 1951 the Ford dealership was sold to Luke's Motor Company. In 1963 the front of the building was remodeled and a showroom added in 1974.

In 1986, Spradley/Barr Ford & Mercury was conducting business here. That company closed in 1989. In 1996 the current owners purchased the building.

Some of the businesses

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since then have included: J&S Loose Caboose (a franchise of daylight doughnuts), P&C Storage, Peak Card Service, Morelli Consulting, Daydreams Salon and Hidden Treasures, Blackjack Cafe, and others up to the current businesses. Some of the current businesses are: Donley Insurance, Rose Bud Cafe and Manna House.

Erected by the City of Florence.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1951.

Location. 38° 23.392′ N, 105° 7.004′ W. Marker is in Florence, Colorado, in Fremont County. It is on East Main Street west of North Petroleum Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115-123 E Main St, Florence CO 81226, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s 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

Florence Auto Company Marker to right of the tree in center & mounted to the wall. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 8, 2024

2. Florence Auto Company Marker to right of the tree in center & mounted to the wall.

the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lobach Block (a few steps from this marker); Cornwall Block (a few steps from this marker); The First National Bank of Florence (within shouting distance of this marker); Florence Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); James A. McCandless House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 101-103 W. Main Street (about 400 feet away); City Drug (about 400 feet away); Florence's Beginnings (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.