This is the building next door to Independent Records on Bijou Street downtown. It has been unoccupied for quite a while, although it seems that at any given time there has been some sort of big plan for the space -- but none of the plans ever seem to get put into motion. So it has sat, empty and blank, for a few years. That's why I was surprised to see that there is obviously work being done to it now. The modern facade has been removed, which has revealed something rather interesting: apparently a company called Colburn Auto Tours was once located in this building. Some internet researching has not given me any info on it at all, save for the tantalizing fact that there once was an automobile manufacturer in Denver called the Colburn Automobile Company. Were the two businesses related? Also, there is apparently a book or pamphlet, written around 1940, called Cool Colorado Springs, and it is attributed to Colburn Motor Tours. This is just enough information to be utterly maddening for me! I wish I knew more! I may have to ring up the Pioneers Museum and ask if they have any information on this, because it's "driving" me crazy. Pun intended! ;^)
11 comments:
so great to uncover these things - hope you manage to find out more about it
hallo Tamera,
thanks for visiting the Italian View ! and happy New year to you.
ciao Colorado, and all the best !!
I agree - how maddening to not be able to find out where this sign came from! Someone out there must know the answer!!!
I hope whoever takes over this building will consider preserving this wonderful and whimsical bit of history!
Please let us know if you learn anything about Colburn Motor Tours.
With that much to bait you, you'll have to find out!
We have buildings like that here. I've tried to find info one them and no one knows much.
To the best of my knowledge, Colburn Motor Tours and the Colburn Automobile Company are not related. The automobiles were produced from 1906 to 1911 by my grandfather, Herbert C. Colburn. The factory and showroom were located at 15th and Colfax in Denver. A few years after production ceased, my grandparents and my mother relocated to the Los Angeles area.
Bob -- wow, thanks for weighing in! Part of the mystery is now solved, readers! :^)
Hi Tamera- I am the owner of this building and have worked diligently to preserve the historical value of the building both inside and out. Found out a LOT of history on this from 1922 onward and would love to share this cool story. Too much to right on this blog though. Call me or stop in anytime for a tour!
Dale Pelletier
963-7223
dpelletier@kneedz.com
President & CEO
Woodland Workwear
This is so cool! You bet I'll be coming in to chat with you, Dale! I would love to do a follow up post. Thanks for writing! Tamera
Hi Tamera,
I just came across your post. Did you ever get the rest of the story on the Colburn Motor Tours building?
Thanks,
Greg
Greg hi, I'm so sorry but I just saw your comment even though you wrote it almost two months ago! I am so bad about checking for comments sometimes. To answer your question, I didn't ever get to meet with the owner of the building to get the whole story. It's been on my list forever and now I think the building has changed hands, so I'm probably too late to follow up. So sorry I don't have a better answer for you! Tamera
Post a Comment