Union Avenue Historic Commercial District
Encyclopedia
The Union Avenue Historic Commercial District is a century-old business district
in Pueblo
, Colorado
, United States
.The district comprises sixty-nine contributing properties
in a total area of 27 acres (10.9 ha) including the Union Depot
, Vail Hotel
and Quaker Flour Mill
. In 1983, the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. The historic district
was originally located within South Pueblo and Central Pueblo, two small cities until incorporated into Pueblo, Colorado
which combined South Pueblo, Central Pueblo, Pueblo and Bessemer into one municipality. While still South Pueblo, Bat Masterson
, best known for his association with Wyatt Earp
and Doc Holiday was brought in as sheriff to protect a railroad that was being built.
The area has suffered several floods that have received national coverage due to the scope and the damage it had on both the local and national economies. Before the current levee was constructed, the district and most of the rest of Pueblo was devastated by the single largest flood in Pueblo history in 1921. The damage was described to The Los Angeles Times by Maj. Paul P. Newlon who took command of the state troops sent to help recovery as being "Conditions are beyond description...Virtually every building from the postoffice to the square beyond the Union station on Union avenue was completely wiped out." Waters as deep as 18 feet (5.5 m) almost completely destroyed the city's downtown and killed over 1,500 people. As Pueblo was the leading economic center of southern Colorado before the flood, both the city economy and the regional economy were severely set back.
Many of the existing buildings were built in the 1880s but due to the floods many were remodeled to the standards of the time proceeding the regions floods. Most notably this was a issue with the flood in 1921. The collapse of the district economically and the decline of passenger railway use the district soon became a notorious "Red Light District
" and for its Taverns. Local folklore says that in the late 1930s the residents of Union Ave on the mesa junction area petitioned to have the street name changed to avoid association with this element. In 1939 the upper portion was renamed Colorado Ave.
Due to the impacts of negligent ownership and age of the buildings decay set in, starting in 1996, a major voter approved project was started to renew the "unsightly" district to be a catalyst for cultural and economic growth. The Historic Arkansas River Project
was a project that restored the Arkansas River to its original path. It has a special significance for Pueblo as it marks the former borders of France
and Spain
and later United States of America, Mexico
and the Republic of Texas
. By 2001 the addition of the Riverwalk was deemed a success in not only revitalizing the district but helping the Pueblo city economy recover from a decade long recession the city had experienced after CF & I Steel laid off 3800 workers in 1982.
During November 2008, The Branch Inn, a historic building with ties to reputed mafioso Jo Jo Concialdi,
was destroyed by a sudden explosion. One woman was killed and multiple other individuals injured in the destruction of the Branch Inn. The century old building was not only lost but it also had a large effect to the other buildings in the area.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
determined that the explosion was the result of a gas leak
. However, responsibility for the accident is disputed: multiple parties have alleged that the city is responsible for neglecting possible warning signs, and the city claims that the local utility company failed properly to maintain the leaking pipeline. The local district attorney
has announced that no criminal charges will be filed.
By late 2009, plans had been laid for new construction on the vacant lot, a move welcomed by neighboring business owners.
The Union Avenue Historic Commercial District is commonly used for community events. Annual events held in the district include the "B Street Bash" in late spring, Oktoberfest
in September, and the autumn Pueblo Chile and Frioles festival
.
The district has been host to several well-known politicians over its history. Pueblo Memorial Hall hosted the last public speech of then president Woodrow Wilson
. The city erected a plaque commemorating his speech in support of the League of Nations
.
The Union Avenue Historic Commercial District was the location of a rally for the Barack Obama presidential campaign
on October 31, 2008.
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
in Pueblo
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States....
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.The district comprises sixty-nine contributing properties
Contributing Properties in the Historic Union Ave Commercial District
This is a list of contributing properties to the Union Avenue Historic Commercial District:...
in a total area of 27 acres (10.9 ha) including the Union Depot
Union Depot (Pueblo, Colorado)
Pueblo Union Depot is the historic railroad station in Pueblo, Colorado. It was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style in 1889-1890 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.-History:...
, Vail Hotel
Vail Hotel
Vail Hotel is located in Pueblo, Colorado. Named after Pueblo newspaperman John E Vail, the hotel constructed in 1910 was considered to be the most modern hotel west of Chicago at that time....
and Quaker Flour Mill
Quaker Flour Mill
The Quaker Flour Mill, now known as Show Room is a historic building in Pueblo, Colorado. The building once served as a flour mill and now is a theatre.-References:**...
. In 1983, the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The historic district
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
was originally located within South Pueblo and Central Pueblo, two small cities until incorporated into Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States....
which combined South Pueblo, Central Pueblo, Pueblo and Bessemer into one municipality. While still South Pueblo, Bat Masterson
Bat Masterson
William Barclay "Bat" Masterson was a figure of the American Old West known as a buffalo hunter, U.S. Marshal and Army scout, avid fisherman, gambler, frontier lawman, and sports editor and columnist for the New York Morning Telegraph...
, best known for his association with Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
and Doc Holiday was brought in as sheriff to protect a railroad that was being built.
History
Little is known about the early history of the area, however on maps as early as 1872 the area was called 5th Street with the first known reference to being Union Avenue in 1880. The Pueblo City Hall, also on the National Historic Register of Places had a key part in the formation of the modern city of Pueblo. In Article VI of The Articles of Consolidation it was agreed that City hall had to be within this district "not further north then 2nd street in the present city of Pueblo and not further south then the Arkansas River."Many of the existing buildings were built in the 1880s but due to the floods many were remodeled to the standards of the time proceeding the regions floods. Most notably this was a issue with the flood in 1921. The collapse of the district economically and the decline of passenger railway use the district soon became a notorious "Red Light District
Red Light District
Red Light District may refer to:* Red-light district - a neighborhood where prostitution is common* The Red Light District - the title of the 2004 album by rapper Ludacris* Red Light District Video - a pornography studio based in Los Angeles, California...
" and for its Taverns. Local folklore says that in the late 1930s the residents of Union Ave on the mesa junction area petitioned to have the street name changed to avoid association with this element. In 1939 the upper portion was renamed Colorado Ave.
Due to the impacts of negligent ownership and age of the buildings decay set in, starting in 1996, a major voter approved project was started to renew the "unsightly" district to be a catalyst for cultural and economic growth. The Historic Arkansas River Project
Historic Arkansas River Project
The Historic Arkansas River Project is a voter-approved city beautification project in Pueblo, Colorado. It is a multi-acreage project that is intended to be an economic catalyst for the area by attracting tourism and new businesses. The project features a man made waterway that is accessible to...
was a project that restored the Arkansas River to its original path. It has a special significance for Pueblo as it marks the former borders of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and later United States of America, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
. By 2001 the addition of the Riverwalk was deemed a success in not only revitalizing the district but helping the Pueblo city economy recover from a decade long recession the city had experienced after CF & I Steel laid off 3800 workers in 1982.
During November 2008, The Branch Inn, a historic building with ties to reputed mafioso Jo Jo Concialdi,
was destroyed by a sudden explosion. One woman was killed and multiple other individuals injured in the destruction of the Branch Inn. The century old building was not only lost but it also had a large effect to the other buildings in the area.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
determined that the explosion was the result of a gas leak
Gas leak
In common usage, a gas leak refers to a leak of natural gas, from a pipe or other containment, into a living area or any other area where the gas should not be...
. However, responsibility for the accident is disputed: multiple parties have alleged that the city is responsible for neglecting possible warning signs, and the city claims that the local utility company failed properly to maintain the leaking pipeline. The local district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
has announced that no criminal charges will be filed.
By late 2009, plans had been laid for new construction on the vacant lot, a move welcomed by neighboring business owners.
The Union Avenue Historic Commercial District is commonly used for community events. Annual events held in the district include the "B Street Bash" in late spring, Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest, or Wiesn, is a 16–18 day beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. The...
in September, and the autumn Pueblo Chile and Frioles festival
Pueblo Chile and Frioles festival
Although we try to make everything reliable. Not everything is because there can be so many edits, and some folks write assomtions instead of facts....
.
The district has been host to several well-known politicians over its history. Pueblo Memorial Hall hosted the last public speech of then president Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
. The city erected a plaque commemorating his speech in support of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
.
The Union Avenue Historic Commercial District was the location of a rally for the Barack Obama presidential campaign
Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008
Barack Obama, then junior United States Senator from Illinois, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in Springfield, Illinois, on February 10, 2007. On August 27, 2008, he was declared nominee of the Democratic Party for the 2008 presidential election...
on October 31, 2008.