Downtown in Pueblo in Pueblo County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

DeRemer Block/Holden Block # 3 Site

DeRemer Block Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 11, 2025

1. DeRemer Block Marker

Inscription.

DeRemer Block/Holden Block # 3 Site. . DeRemer Block . 230 South Union Avenue Built in 1882 Architectural Style: Late 19th Century Commercial Architect: F. W. Cooper and Joseph Anderson Contractor: F. T. Downing , James R. DeRemer purchased this lot in 1879 for $300 from Alphons Meyer. In 1889, Breed's Restaurant was located here. , General DeRemer, saved the Royal Gorge Railroad tracks for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad during the Royal Gorge War. He had been going down the Royal Gorge in his wagon when he noticed the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad hauling ties and making preparations to build the road through the Gorge. He rushed to Pueblo to inform General William Palmer of this activity, beginning the Royal Gorge War over this important right of way. Whoever owned the tracks through the Gorge would control the transportation of silver and gold from the Leadville and Cripple Creek mines. However, James DeRemer's most noted work was the construction of the D. R. and G. tracks through the Royal Gorge and the construction of the famous railroad hanging bridge, making passage of the Gorge possible. , He also had the DeRemer Opera House built and it burned down February 12, 1899. , Holden Block # 3 Site . 232 South Union Avenue , Date of Construction Unknown , Architectural Style: Italianate , In the late 1800s, this was Real Estate Row. Some of the real estate businesses located here were: Benson and Martin, C. H. Small and Williams, and Mollaby. A character named "Barney the Bum" met his death in the fire that burned the original building down. Later, Delos Holden built Holden Block #3 on this site. It had been a multi-purpose building with businesses ranging from saloons to a "cat house" to a barbershop. In the 1940s, Puebloans riding the trolley cars remember being solicited by prostitutes from the second floor windows. , Before being demolished in 2001, the building almost burned down twice because of fires of an uncertain origin. , 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

DeRemer Block
230 South Union Avenue
Built in 1882
Architectural Style: Late 19th Century Commercial
Architect: F. W. Cooper and Joseph Anderson
Contractor: F. T. Downing

James R. DeRemer purchased this lot in 1879 for $300 from Alphons Meyer. In 1889, Breed's Restaurant was located here.

General DeRemer, saved the Royal Gorge Railroad tracks for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad during the Royal Gorge War. He had been going down the Royal Gorge in his wagon when he noticed the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad hauling ties and making preparations to build the road through the Gorge. He rushed to Pueblo to inform General William Palmer of this activity, beginning the Royal Gorge War over this important right of way. Whoever owned the tracks through the Gorge would control the transportation of silver and gold from the Leadville and Cripple Creek mines. However, James DeRemer's most noted work was the construction of the D. R. & G. tracks through the Royal Gorge and the construction of the famous railroad hanging bridge, making passage of the Gorge possible.

He also had the DeRemer Opera House built and it burned down February 12, 1899.

Holden Block # 3 Site
232 South Union Avenue

Date of Construction Unknown

Architectural Style: Italianate

In the late 1800s, this was Real Estate Row. Some of the real estate businesses located here were: Benson & Martin, C. H. Small & Williams, and Mollaby. A character named "Barney the Bum" met his death in the fire that burned the original building down. Later, Delos Holden built Holden Block #3 on this site. It had been a multi-purpose building with businesses ranging from saloons to a "cat house" to a barbershop. In the 1940s, Puebloans riding the trolley cars remember being solicited by prostitutes from the second floor windows.

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Before being demolished in 2001, the building almost burned down twice because of fires of an uncertain origin.

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

Erected by Colorado Historical Society State Historical Fund. (Marker Number 32.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1899.

Location. 38° 15.81′ N, 104° 36.873′ W. Marker is in Pueblo, Colorado, in Pueblo County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of South Union Avenue and East C Street, on the left when traveling north on South Union Avenue. Mounted on a pedestal in front of building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230-232 S Union Ave, Pueblo CO 81003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley

and in the Front Range.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in

Holden Block # 3 Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 11, 2025

2. Holden Block # 3 Site Marker

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: Graham-Wescott Building (a few steps from this marker); Holden Block (a few steps from this marker); Schlitz Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of South Pueblo's Hanging Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Turf Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker); Cooper & Allen Block (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pueblo Street Railway Company Stable Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Orman Block (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pueblo.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.