Trinidad, Colorado - A Historic Building Survey
Central Trinidad and Bell Block
Map location #48.
The earliest known date of construction for the three segments of the Bell Block is 1883 for the center portion. There is no date available for the right portion. The part identified in the picture as Walker's Furniture was erected in 1888.
Surely the most impressive section of the city in terms of architecture includes the Bell Block, the Franch Block, and the Opera House Block. These three major units were all constructed during the 1880's and illustrate very well the efforts of the architects and builders of that time to plan buildings that were not only well built, but also compatible in proportion and character to the other buildings around them. They were sensitive to the total effect created by accumulations of buildings which were in harmony with each other. That they were also concerned with masterful execution of fine details is indicated in the beautifully incised and carved stones in these buildings.
The central segment, if not all three units, was built by and bears the name of E. S. Bell who was a prominent business man in Trinidad. The original lot owner, Juan Baca, was an equally prominent figure at an even earlier time and another later owner, Dan Taylor, could be added to this list of illustrious individuals associated with this excellent group of buildings.
The first photo shows central Trinidad as it was about 1870-74. The second photo was taken in July, 1970.
Legal Description: North 125 feet of Lots 2 and 3 excluding the West 29 1/2 feet of Lot 3; Block 101 OTS.
Figure 94 Central Trinidad
