Cooper & Allen Block

Cooper and Allen Block. 217-219 South Union Avenue. , In 1868, Klaus Wildeboor purchased 160 acres, formerly part of the Nolan Land Grant, from U. B. Holloway for $7 an acre through a Quit Claim Deed. Folklore holds that U. S. Marshal Holloway became implicated with counterfeiters causing him to leave Pueblo in a hurry. In 1872, Klaus Wildeboor and his wife, Philanda M., sold a portion of this land to the Central Colorado Improvement Co. for $4,000. , In 1888, this building was called the Cooper and Allen Block. The J. R. Valentine Store occupied 217 South Union Avenue in 1895, advertising a "large fine line of combination bookcases and secretaries. "T. C. Maloney had his cigar-making factory at 219 South Union Avenue in 1898 and the Churchill Jewelry Co. was here in 1894. This store had a "complete line of precious stones, watches and diamonds, a fine display of rich cut glass, solid gold and sterling silver novelties and the latest and most-unique designs in jewelry imported from the leading marts of London, Paris and Vienna". , In September of 1979 at 4:30 A. M. flames and smoke enveloped the building, which was being used for storage. The massive fire gutted the building. , This site was vacant until June 1982, when Bob and Helen Bernard bought the lot and built Bob's Bear Alignment. Bob liked to tell school children that the big tree behind his building was a grandson (limb) of the famous "Hanging Tree." , In 1994, Ruth McDonald and Shelly Riddock purchased the property after "Bobby Bear" Bernard died in a traffic accident. The former garage offered an interesting interior opportunity for the 15 year-old Gold Dust Saloon business. , This project funded by a grant from the Colorado Historical Society State Historical Fund, Historic Pueblo Business Center Association, Security Title Guaranty Co., Kathie White, Mary Orf, John Demas, Friends and The Farley Foundation