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Miller Block

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1888, John F. Colpitts, builder. 162 Linden St. (south corner of Walnut St.)
  • (Photograph by Matthew Aungst)
  • (Photograph by Matthew Aungst)

One of Old Town's premier structures, this Italianate red sandstone edifice with buff sandstone trim has handsome faces on both Linden and Walnut streets. Both elevations are graced by an elaborate galvanized iron cornice, cresting, and a decorative pediment. Locally made cast iron columns and lintels enhance the exterior. Inside, one of the first Howe truss systems in Colorado supports the second floor, leaving the entire first floor free of posts. Frank C. Miller, a Danish immigrant, built his business to sell both wet and dry goods. His liquor business evaporated in 1896 when the town went dry. His son Frank briefly operated the business after his father's death, then joined a Wild West show, where his feats of marksmanship earned him a niche in Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Thomas J. Noel
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Data

What's Nearby

Old Town Fort Collins
Hohnstein Block
Linden Hotel
Reed and Dauth Block
Old City Hall Museum

Citation

Thomas J. Noel, "Miller Block", [Fort Collins, Colorado], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/CO-01-LR01.9.

Print Source

Buildings of Colorado, Thomas J. Noel. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997, 226-226.

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