On Main Street east of 4th Street, on the right when traveling east.
This Seven Feet and Apartment Entrance
is Dedicated to the City Council and Administration
2016 - 2020
Ron and Sheila Kimmell restored this ground level apartment in April of 2012. Nine months later, the City changed the code disallowing any . . . — — Map (db m153074) HM
On Main Street just west of North 6th Street, on the right when traveling west.
In 1868 Cañon City residents began building a penitentiary for the Colorado Territory. The 40-cell prison opened to receive convicts in June 1871. By 1899, the penitentiary housed about 400 inmates. Before a wall was built around the prison, . . . — — Map (db m281694) HM
On South 3rd Street 0.1 miles south of Royal Gorge Boulevard (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling south.
Railroads have been essential to the growth of Cañon City. Trains brought people and materials into the region and carried local products to market. Most importantly, the railroads supported the mining industry. Worth Fighting Over . . . — — Map (db m281899) HM
On Royal Gorge Boulevard (U.S. 50) east of South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east.
During the late 18th century and early 19th century, Cañon City prospered as a trade and transportation center serving the agriculture and mining industries of the region. From its earliest days, Cañon City attracted visitors to soak in warm . . . — — Map (db m153316) HM
Cañon City
During the late 18th and early 19th Century, Cañon City prospered as a trade and transportation center serving the agriculture and mining industries of the region. From its earliest days, Cañon City attracted visitors to soak in warm . . . — — Map (db m56132) HM
The Colorado State Penitentiary, "Old Max," opened in 1871 as part of the federal prison system when Colorado was still a territory. It was built by convicts using stone quarried and cut on-site. In 1876 when Colorado achieved statehood, " Old Max" . . . — — Map (db m141395) HM
On Main Street at South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Silent Movie Era From 1911 to 1914, the Selig Polyscope Company and the Colorado Motion Picture Company shot movies in and around Cañon City. The films starred silent film actors such as Tom Mix, Myrtle Stedman, and Josephine West. The . . . — — Map (db m281696) HM
On Main Street east of 4th Street, on the right when traveling east.
The Ute Indians inhabited this region long before European explorers set foot on this continent. Other tribes like the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and the Comanche moved through the area following herds of buffalo. The Utes left traces of their . . . — — Map (db m153077) HM
On Garden Park Road (County Road 9) 2.6 miles north of Red Canyon Road, on the left when traveling north.
This tablet is the property of the State of Colorado
Garden Park
Type Locality of Dinosaurs
The first remains of several species of dinosaurs were found within a two-mile radius of this point in 1877 by Prof. O.C. . . . — — Map (db m251375) HM
On North 5th Street just south of Macon Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
General Jos. H. Maupin (1856-1929) was responsible for construction of this building — done in two phases from 1903-1907. His name is inscribed at the northeast corner along with another inscription just above — “The Post Office Block.” The Post . . . — — Map (db m281697) HM
On South 3rd Street 0.1 miles south of Royal Gorge Boulevard (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling south.
This region was originally the domain of the Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne peoples who were attracted by the abundance of water (including mineral and hot springs), temperate climate, and plentiful wildlife. Local Food and Drink In . . . — — Map (db m281898) HM
On Main Street west of 7th Street, on the right when traveling west.
In the 1890s, it was the envy of every hotel owner in Colorado. It offered steam heat,
electric lights, running water, an elevator, and a first class dining room with linen
tablecloths and napkins and snappy waiters. It had thirty guest rooms with . . . — — Map (db m239851) HM
Near County Road 3A 4.5 miles south of U.S. 50 when traveling south.
A Fitting Name
This amazing chasm was originally known as the "Grand Cañon of the Arkansas," which was sometimes confused with the "Grand Canyon of the Colorado." In the summer of 1874, Charles Savage, a famous railroad photographer from . . . — — Map (db m232533) HM
On Elm Avenue at South 9th Street, on the left when traveling west on Elm Avenue.
Erected through the cooperation of Federal, State and local governments by Works Projects Administration. Dedicated to the enrichment of human lives. A record of permanent achievement. — — Map (db m294403) HM
On Royal Gorge Boulevard (U.S. 50) east of South 1st Street, on the right when traveling east.
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike's own words from his journal
U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States' new southwest boundary with New Spain
The men
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike • Dr. John H. Robinson . . . — — Map (db m153315) HM
On Royal Gorge Boulevard (U.S. 50) just west of South 9th Street (State Highway 115), on the right when traveling east.
in memory of all who followed the flag in all of our country’s wars, this monument is respectfully dedicated————— in the year of our Lord 1930 by the patriotic civic and fraternal organizations of Cañon City — — Map (db m281897) WM
On Garden Park Road (County Road 9), on the left when traveling north.
Site of the first oil well in the west?
Second place in the United States to
produce petroleum from the wells.
In 1862, just across the stream from
this point, A. M. Cassidy drilled an
oil well fifty feet deep. By February,
1863, . . . — — Map (db m281130) HM
On West 3rd Street (Colorado Route 115) west of Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
This Memorial is the
Property of the State of Colorado
In Florence and surrounding area
was developed the first recognized oil
field west of the Mississippi River, as
a result of the discovery of oil by
A.M. Cassidy in . . . — — Map (db m232226) HM
On South 4th Street 0.2 miles south of Highland Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Built in 1906 with native stone, the Prospect Heights jail was the only municipal building in town. It was constructed to incarcerate disorderly people who frequented the numerous area saloons. In response to a 1901 law suspending all liquor . . . — — Map (db m281700) HM
On Main Street at South Fourth Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
330-332 Main Street
National Register: #5FN 573
Date of Construction: 1882-1883
Builder: Frederick A. Raynolds
Architecture: Gothic Revival
Housed: Raynolds Bank
The Handy & McGee Mercantile Store
Known as the "Ornament of Canon . . . — — Map (db m153088) HM
On South 4th Street at Main Street, on the right when traveling north on South 4th Street.
Raynolds-McGee Block (1883) Construction of this two-story Gothic Revival building was completed in 1883. Frederick A. Raynolds owned the east half which housed the Fremont County Bank. William B. McGee owned the west half, occupied . . . — — Map (db m281698) HM
On Riverside Avenue at South 1st Street, on the left when traveling west on Riverside Avenue.
Robison Mansion Built c. 1884 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m294000) HM
On County Road 3A 4.5 miles south of U.S. 24, on the right when traveling south.
Lt. Zubulon M. Pike and his men, who traveled through this area in November and December 1806, were the first American explorers to view the Arkansas River Canyon now known as the Royal Gorge. A small party from the Maj. Stephen H. Long . . . — — Map (db m34858) HM
On County Road 3A, on the left when traveling east.
Highest suspension bridge in the world
Completed in seven months - Dedicated Dec. 7, 1929
Chief Engineer George Cole
Consulting Engineer O.K. Peck
This property has been placed on
National Register of Historic Places
By
U.S. . . . — — Map (db m39304) HM
Near South 6th Street south of Royal Gorge Boulevard, on the left when traveling south.
This Memorial is the
Property of the State of Colorado
Rudd Cabin
Built in 1860 by Anson and Harriet Rudd, this cabin is one of the few original log cabin homes still standing in Colorado. First local building with a . . . — — Map (db m256407) HM
On Main Street east of South 4th Street, on the right when traveling east.
This region is called the "Banana Belt of Colorado” for a reason. The climate is milder here year round than most counties in the state. Good weather creates the best environment for farming and raising livestock to feed the local economy. . . . — — Map (db m153091) HM
On Garden Park Road (County Road 9) 3.1 miles Field Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Across Fourmile Creek from where you stand was the site of a major dinosaur excavation.
In 1954, Edwin Delfs, a zoology student at Yale University, joined the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on a fossil-hunting expedition throughout Colorado . . . — — Map (db m252011) HM
On Royal Gorge Boulevard east of South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Drive the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway and follow the historic travel routes to the Cripple Creek Mining District, one of the world's wealthiest gold mining districts. Phantom Canyon Road follows the grade of the Florence and Cripple Creek . . . — — Map (db m153320) HM
On Garden Park Road (County Road 9) 3.1 miles north of Field Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Look for the red and green rock layers around you. This is the
Morrison Formation that extends for 600,000 square miles
throughout the Western United States. The majority of the
formation is covered by other rock layers. The few areas . . . — — Map (db m252006) HM
On Garden Park Road (County Road 9) 3.1 miles north of Field Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Each year, tens of millions of people
marvel at the dinosaurs from the Garden
Park Fossil Area in museums across the
country. In the early and mid-1900s,
museums were in search of large
dinosaurs to become the centerpieces of
their new . . . — — Map (db m252004) HM
On Tunnel Drive 0.6 miles west of U.S. 50, on the right when traveling west.
To commemorate
the fact that
Zebulon Pike
built a block house
on the west bank of
Sand Creek near
the Arkansas River
and spent the winter
of 1806-07 there — — Map (db m232221) HM
[Side A:]
Rainbow Route
Completion of this road opens up a scenic paradise unequalled in any other state of the Union and unsurpassed by the scenic gems of the Wild West.
Governor George A. Carlson on the opening of the . . . — — Map (db m55639) HM
"Set up for yourself roadmarks...the way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel" Jeremiah 31:21
Nearly 70 Jewish immigrants were settled in and near Cotopaxi. Facing insurmountable challenges, the ill equipped . . . — — Map (db m134127) HM
On West Main Street at South Pikes Peak Avenue, on the left when traveling west on West Main Street.
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 . . . — — Map (db m232407) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) west of Pikes Peak Ave ( Route 67), on the left when traveling west.
This building, erected in (approx.) 1893, housed a
dry goods store operated by J.H. Dils. By January,
1897, Robert A. Ramsey purchased the stock and
business of Dils for his Golden Rule Store, managing the business himself. Golden Rule Stores . . . — — Map (db m232413) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115), on the right when traveling west.
This property has been used for many
businesses. In 1895 it housed a grocery
store. By 1900 "The Fair" store was
housed in this building. A harness shop
owned by Henry J. Owens was located
here in 1906, with R.H. Paton, M.D.
conducting his . . . — — Map (db m232476) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) west of North Pikes Peak Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Henry Andrews, a real estate investor,
erected the building with space for two
businesses on the first story and rooms
for renters on the upper story. Although
the first story has been altered by chang-
ing from two storefronts to one, the . . . — — Map (db m232459) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115), on the right when traveling west.
Thomas Carmondy was the original owner
and his business advertised furniture, carpets,
Queensware and undertaking services. The
embalming room was described as having
"every latest improvement", and his other
stock "is unexcelled by any of its . . . — — Map (db m232475) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) at North Pikes Peak Avenue ( Route 67), on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
City Drug was the first occupant in late 1894. By
1897 McCreery & Widerfelt operated a drugstore
described as "full and complete in every particular".
Not only did they have a full line of goods, but also
a soda fountain. From 1900-1929 John . . . — — Map (db m232487) HM
On East Main Street (Colorado Route 115) near South Pikes Peak Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Prior to 1895, an adobe structure stood on this site and served as a post office. The adobe structure was destroyed by fire and was replaced by a new brick building in 1897 by L.E. Cornwall. This building is representative of Florence's late . . . — — Map (db m251767) HM
On Railroad Street west of South Union Street, on the left when traveling west.
This building was constructed in 1918 as a combined passenger
and freight depot. The track side displays the name Florence.
The street side shows the name of the railroad.
The depot was dedicated on July 5, 1918. 300-400 people . . . — — Map (db m251756) HM
On West Main Street (State Highway 115) at North Pikes Peak Avenue (State Highway 67), on the right when traveling east on West Main Street.
Farmers found the soil in Eastern Fremont County to be rich and fertile and perfect for growing a variety of crops. The first successful orchardist was "Uncle Jesse” Frazer. He came to Colorado during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush and found no gold . . . — — Map (db m153161) HM
On West 2nd Street at North Santa Fe Avenue, on the left when traveling west on West 2nd Street.
Construction funds were raised among the
townspeople and soon there were 42 charter
members. The cornerstone was laid on February
11, 1896. This house of worship was completed
for just under $6000. The pews are the seats
secured from the Old . . . — — Map (db m232378) HM
On East Main Street west of North Petroleum Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
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 . . . — — Map (db m251762) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) west of North Pikes Peak Avenue ( Route 67), on the left when traveling west.
This building was originally
constructed to house the Florence
Firehouse and City Hall.
Built in late Victorian style, the
building was the location of the
Florence City Hall from 1892
until 1920. It housed a jail, the
mayor's office, . . . — — Map (db m232382) HM
On East Main Street (Colorado Route 115) at South Pikes Peak Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street.
The Florence Hotel was constructed in two separate sections. The south section faces Pikes Peak Avenue, and was built in 1890, while the north section that faces Main Street was built in 1891. The south section was built as the Florence Hotel, . . . — — Map (db m251769) HM
On West Main Street (State Highway 115) at North Pikes Peak Avenue (State Highway 67), on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
[Left panel]
Florence
A historic Colorado oil town
Enjoy your visit
Caption:
[Center panel]
In 1859, Jesse Frazer fashioned a plow from a large cottonwood branch and planted his fields in the broad . . . — — Map (db m153163) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) west of North Pikes Peak Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
After its construction
in 1928 this building
housed a J. C.
Penney's store for about
30 years. James
Cash Penney, who
came to Colorado
to fight tuberculosis,
worked as a clerk in
the Longmont
Golden Rule store, a chain
store . . . — — Map (db m232480) HM
On North Pikes Peak Avenue (Colorado Route 67) at East 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south on North Pikes Peak Avenue.
This residence is the second home of the McCandless family and was built after he achieved substantial wealth from a variety of enterprises.
The picture taken in March 1889 shows the McCandless family. The person 4th from the left is Florence . . . — — Map (db m153123) HM
On Cedar Avenue (State Highway 115) 0.6 miles east of Brewster Lane, on the left when traveling east.
[left panel] John C. Fremont was a man of many titles, including United States Senator, American military officer, son-in-law to Senator Thomas Hart Benton, and the first Presidential candidate of the anti-slavery Republican . . . — — Map (db m294999) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) west of West Pikes Peak Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Julius McCandless, the nephew of James McCandless
was the initial owner and set up his hardware store in the
building in 1894 and lived on the first floor. He sold
farming implements, hardware, tools, mining supplies,
stoves and dishes. Julius, . . . — — Map (db m232474) HM
On East Main Street (Colorado Route 67/115) west of North Petroleum Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Originally it housed
a clothing store
and confectionary
and cigar store on
the first floor and
the Elks Lodge on
the second floor.
Edwin Lobach,
who had interests
in oil production
and real estate,
lived in Florence
for 51 years and
was . . . — — Map (db m251758) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) at North Santa Fe Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
When the building was
completed in July, 1894,
the first occupant was
Lewis & Yost general
merchandise store. They
offered dry goods,
notions and furnishings
(everything sold at
bedrock). The firm was one
of the oldest in the city.
By . . . — — Map (db m232457) HM
On North Pikes Peak Avenue (Colorado Route 67) at East 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on North Pikes Peak Avenue.
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike's own words from his journal
U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States' new southwest boundary with New Spain
The men
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike • Dr. John H. Robinson . . . — — Map (db m153110) HM
On Colorado Route 120 south of Route 115, on the right when traveling south.
Paving the Way
The Rio Grande Railroad Viaduct helped bring the world to the Royal Gorge.
"The opening of the new bridge is hailed with joy by Florence," wrote the Florence Daily Record on July 14, 1931, as the first autos . . . — — Map (db m232499) HM
On Church Avenue (Colorado Route 115) at West 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north on Church Avenue.
This memorial is the property
of the State of Colorado
The City of Florence
and Fremont County, Colorado owe much of their growth and development to the building and operation of the Florence and Cripple Creek . . . — — Map (db m250678) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) west of North Pikes Peak Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
The Daniels building replaced
the W. R. Daniels residence,
which was the original building
on the property. The first story
of the building consisted of two
stores. One was the W. J.
Daniels Drug Store and the
other was known as G. . . . — — Map (db m232484) HM
On East Main Street (Colorado Route 115) at North Pikes Peak Avenue, on the left when traveling east on East Main Street.
The Roots
September 8, 1891, the Bank of Florence was incorporated as a state bank with James A McCandless named president. The original location of the institution was located at 101-03 W Main St (SW corner of Pikes Peak Ave and Main . . . — — Map (db m251765) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) west of North Pikes Peak Avenue ( Route 67), on the left when traveling west.
127 Constructed in 1899 & 125 in 1915. Architect: Unknown Builder/Contractor: Henry Lewis
The West portion of the now
conjoined building, 127 West Main was
built for Mr. William G. Ricketts in
1899, beginning life as a . . . — — Map (db m232419) HM
On North Santa Fe Avenue north of West Main Street (State Route 115), on the left when traveling north.
Architectural detail: Brick, stone. Two story brick structure with unusual architecture that gives the building the appearance of two dissimilar towers built together.
This building was called the "Albion Hotel" in 1900. It became the office . . . — — Map (db m251771) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) west of North Pikes Peak Avenue ( Route 67), on the left when traveling west.
Estimated to have been built in 1885 for owner, Van Nest (likely
Albert J. Van Nest), likely lived on the second floor along with
his wife and five male lodgers. It is not known what type of
business operated on the main floor at first. By 1901, . . . — — Map (db m232416) HM
On West Main Street (Colorado Route 115) at South Santa Fe Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street.
The building was built by George Wilson to
house his hardware store on the first floor and
his residence and hotel on the second floor. He
and his wife, Emily, and their four children
lived in the building.
George was a two-time mayor of . . . — — Map (db m232421) HM
On U.S. 50 0.4 miles east of Swissvale Road, on the left when traveling east.
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike's own words from his journal
U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States' new southwest boundary with New Spain
The men
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike • Dr. John H. Robinson . . . — — Map (db m153311) HM
On Decker Drive 0.2 miles east of Airport Drive, on the left when traveling south.
First fielded by the U. S. Army in the Vietnam War in April 1962, the APC M113 was widely used. Nicknamed "The Green Dragon" by the enemy Viet Cong, it originally was designed to provide troop transportation. It found higher use in breaking through . . . — — Map (db m182057) HM
On U.S. 50 0.2 miles east of Phantom Canyon Road, on the right when traveling west. Reported damaged.
Florence Oil Field
Alexander Cassidy dug a twenty-three-foot-deep oil well near here in 1862, making this Colorado's first oil-producing region. Cassidy and others spent nearly two decades plumbing the hollows and seeps, sure that a major . . . — — Map (db m152994) HM
On U.S. 50 0.2 miles east of Phantom Canyon Road (County Road 67), on the right when traveling west.
Clockwise, from top
• The Pioneer Museum in Florence highlights the town's industrial past. Ample coal and water made the town an optimal site fer processing ore shipped via the Florence and Cripple Creek . . . — — Map (db m153002) HM
On U.S. 50 0.2 miles east of Phantom Canyon Road (County Road 67), on the right when traveling west. Reported damaged.
When Colorado Territorial Prison opened in June 1871 just west of Cañon City, it drew a mixed reception from law-abiding locals — some daunted by the possibility of felons on the loose, others eager for the jobs and services that came with the . . . — — Map (db m152997) HM
On U.S. 50 0.2 miles east of Phantom Canyon Road (County Road 67), on the right when traveling west.
Royal Gorge Railroad War
Racing to lay the first tracks into the Colorado Rockies in April 1878, the Denver & Rio Grande and its rival, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, reached the Royal Gorge in a dead heat. Competing construction crews . . . — — Map (db m152999) HM
