Paonia in Delta County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Grand Ave. A Look Back
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025
1. Grand Ave. A Look Back Marker
224 Grand Ave.
The annual 4th of July celebration, Cherry Days, was started by the Paonia Lions Club in 1946 as a community celebration. The first fundraiser was for lights for the Dan Lawrence football field. This picture taken in the 1950s shows the parade passing down Grand Avenue. J. C. Penney, established in 1929, replaced the earlier Apparel Shop.
226 Grand Ave.
Founded by Ed Curtis, the sandstone First National Bank building erected in 1903 at 226 Grand Avenue, previously operated out of Curtis Hardware. The First National Bank was one of two banks in early Paonia, the other being the Fruit Exchange Bank. Only the First National Bank survived the Great Depression. Now called the First Colorado National Bank, the business relocated to 133 Grand Avenue.
228 Grand Ave.
The Paonia World War I First Home Guard has lined up for a picture in front of the 1902 Curtis Hardware building. Operating from 1902-1921, Curtis Hardware was one of the first buildings erected on Grand Avenue. In 1935, the business was purchased by Roy B. Howard. It became Howard's Cash Hardware until it was sold in the 1980s.
Erected 2016 by Blue
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 38° 52.067′ N, 107° 35.861′ W. Marker is in Paonia, Colorado, in Delta County. It is on Grand Avenue just north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker stands beside the sidewalk in front of a small pocket park between buildings. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 219 Grand Avenue, Paonia CO 81428, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope. It is also in the American Mountain West and in Colorado Plateau. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dominguez-Escalante Expedition
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025
2. Grand Ave. A Look Back Marker
Looking northwest across Grand Avenue. The First National Bank and Curtis Hardware buildings are in the right background.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025
3. First National Bank Building
Erected in 1903. It is northwest across Grand Avenue from the historical marker.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2025
4. Curtis Hardware Building
Erected in 1902. It is northwest across Grand Avenue from the historical marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 64 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
