Window shop some up-scale boutiques as you walk north. The historic Poitrey Building erected in 1888 has been renovated to resemble the original architectural style lent to the community by the Rapp Brothers. The historic integrity of the building was maintained throughout the revitalization process of the building, now known as the Champions Building. Another interior worth a look! Old photos show the building was quite ornate with decorative window lintels and an overhanging cornice that made it a good match for the hotel. However, following World War II, the urge to “modernize” that swept the country seized this town and the lintels and cornices were removed. Fortunately, most owners of the downtown buildings didn’t have the money to do that and Trinidad therefore has one of the largest inventories of original, historic architecture in the southern portion of Colorado.
Look north down Commercial Street. In the 1860s, when new buildings were springing up beside the long-established trail, an effort was made to straighten the street. As you can see, the results were rather indifferent due to the howls of building owners who would have had to move their adobes back several yards. And not only building owners protested. Records show that the town council agreed to pay one man $16.80 for his bean crop that was ruined in the process. But Commercial Street remains crooked.
