Historical Survey Report 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the Old Louisville Inn, (DiFtancia's), the Track Inn, (Lackner's), the "old" two story abandoned frame building dating from 1893, and the frame building on the northeast corner of Front and Pine. Deeds recorded for these latter two buildings reveal that com- peting breweries were involved in saloon ownership, including Coors, Zang, Union and Tivoli. Because of their income genera- ting attributes, it is probably safe to speculate that their closing during Prohibition, (1916-33), must have been an addi- tional blow to the town's financial situation. Despite the great strides made in the 1890's, Louisville's "boom" period occurred in the first decade of the twentieth cen- tury. Approximately eight additional mines were opened, although some of the earlier mines had already closed. Seven additions were were incorporated during these years before the strike of 1910-14 brought an abrupt halt to development. Newspaper blurbs from 1903 expressed the excitement at the unprecedented rate of growth; "One firm hat built ten new houses and additions since January, which says that Louisville is coming to the front...";"Carpenters are in demand,(old houses being repaired, additions added, and several new ones under construction"; "H. H. Fischer, (one of the prominent early builders), hag not started his new house... too busy building other's houses" A 1904 directory provided evidence of the dramatic new trend in construction, listing seven contractors, fifteen carpe:nters, four painters, two stone masons and a plumber. 1905 was a record year for coal production in the state, and Louisville was squarely riding the wave of this prosperity. Louisville's own peak production years were 1907 and 1909, and a map of the town in this latter year showing the location and extent of building development indicated a stock of roughly 380 structures. The town had even attracted a group of Scottish in- vestors, organized as the Colorado Mortgage and Investment Comp., who were actively involved in selling lots in the additions of Louisville Heights and Barclay Place. In 1907, the Northern Coal and Coke Company, which owned several of the mines prior to its successor, the Rocky Mt. Fuel Company, had contracted with a Denver architect to construct