Las animas building

Las Animas Building: 301 W. Main St.

Just west is the Las Animas Building, the first building in town authentically restored by a private individual. The two-story building trimmed in local sandstone was built in 1883 by Elbridge Sopris, who lived on the second floor for many years, and the building is often called the Sopris Block, despite its proper name being carved in a handsome cornice. The lower floor (and the upper, after Sopris died) housed many businesses over the years and was once Trinidad’s post office. Before this building was put up, this site was occupied by the famous Exchange Saloon where Trinidad’s first killed-on duty sheriff was shot by a Texas cowboy (for that complete story, listen to the account in the East Main Street section.)

As you walk past the shops in this block, notice how various architects utilized the Chicago-style iron columns to lend harmony to the block. Early Trinidad architects often were conscious not only of the building they were designing but also of their compatibility with the neighborhood.

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A Walk Through the History of Trinidad
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  1. Introduction to Trinidad History
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  2. Columbian Hotel: 111 N. Commercial St.
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  3. Trinidad Opera House: 100-116 W. Main St.
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  4. First National Bank Building: 100 E. Main St.
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  5. The McCormick Building: 101-113 E. Main St.
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  6. Part 1: North Commercial Street
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  7. Poitrey Building: 125-137 N. Commercial St.
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  8. Toltec Hotel: 118-128 N. Commercial St.
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  9. Holy Trinity Church: 135 Church St.
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  10. Chronicle News Building: 200 Church St.
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  11. Schneider Brewery: 240 N. Convent St.
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  12. Trinidad Water Works: 223 E. Cedar St.
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  13. Colorado Hotel: 401-407 N. Commercial St.
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  14. Trinidad Hotel: 421 N. Commercial St.
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  15. Old Adelphia Hotel: 449-453 N. Commercial St.
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  16. Firehouse #1: 413 N. Commercial St.
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  17. Savoy Hotel: 309-313 N. Commercial St.
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  18. Longnecker Building: 301 N. Commercial St.
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  19. First Presbyterian Church: 224 N. Commercial St.
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  20. Sherman Building: 422 N. Commercial St.
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  21. Part 2: East Main Street
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  22. Plested Building: 112 E. Main St.
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  23. Masonic Building: 132 E. Main St.
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  24. The Mitchell Museum: 150 E. Main St.
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  25. Carlisle Building: 201 E. Main St.
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  26. U.S. Post Office: 301 E. Main St.
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  27. The Baca House: 300 - 304 E. Main St.
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  28. The Bloom Mansion: 312 E. Main St.
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  29. Chappell House: 335 E. Main St.
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  30. Rino's Restaurant: 400 E. Main St.
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  31. Memorial Square/Fort Wootton: 204 S. Chestnut St.
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  32. Van Vleet House: 212 E. 2nd St.
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  33. Temple Aaron: 407 S. Maple
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  34. Las Animas County Courthouse: 200 E. 1st St.
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  35. Elks Lodge: 120 S. Maple St.
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  36. Danielson Building: 135 E. Main St.
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  37. Part 3: West Main Street
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  38. Bell Block: 126 - 134 W. Main St.
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  39. The Famous Building: 131 W. Main St.
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  40. The Palace: 137 W. Main St.
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  41. Franch Block: 200 - 210 W. Main St.
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  42. Las Animas Building: 301 W. Main St.
  43. West Block: 331 - 335 W. Main St.
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  44. Fox Theatre: 423 W. Main St.
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  45. City Hall: 135 N. Animas St.
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  46. Carnegie Public Library: 202 N. Animas St.
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  47. Thank you!
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