Walk on the east side of the street for a better view of some of the buildings you have passed. In the middle of the second block, you will come to a narrow little building with (permanently closed) folding double doors through which the horse-drawn fire wagon could come flying out. Still called Firehouse No. 1, in the cellar is Trinidad’s original jail, a dank, catacomb-like affair that will send shivers up most adults as well as children. The building was known as City Building when it was constructed in 1895 (or 1888 depending on whose records you trust) and was city council chambers as well as city offices, the police department and the fire department. The whole shebang cost $5,000 when it was built and since 1980 over $65,000 have been spent restoring and refurbishing it.
