A quick stop along the way...

We hadn't been to New Mexico in a while and we missed it terribly... So... "easy to do" we thought, got in the car and just drove south. A couple hours later we felt like we needed a short break and the best place to stretch our legs on your way to Taos was... the city of Pueblo. It wasn't our first time there so we knew what to expect. In fact, we spent more time here last time we visited the city, so click here if you want to learn a history of the town and see more of the beautiful places one can find here - The most boring city in Colorado... Really?

 

This time we wanted to see if we would liked it as much as we did the first time, when we spent a few hours here and fell in love with this city... We got off I-25 and stopped at Sangre De Cristo Arts Center. We glanced at the mural, admired the brass children and walked on the bricked sidewalk to the intersection...

We found an old advertisement painted on the wall of a building right across the street and already had a good feeling about this stop ;)

The historic building at 426 N. Santa Fe Ave. was built in 1888 and now serves as the home of Lodge 90 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE; also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks) - an American fraternal order founded in 1868, originally as a social club in New York City.  It was founded on four virtues: charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. It has more than 750,000+ members at 1,928 lodges. The fraternity currently focuses on Community, Friendship, and Charity.

The Elks was established by actor Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian in New York City on February 16, 1868. Vivian was a British expatriate and member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. Organized as a club for minstrel show performers, the impetus for the group's founding was the death of a fellow actor to disease due to a paucity of funds for treatment and a desire to organize communal support for fellow actors in need.
Founded as the "Jolly Corks", by December of 1868, it had adopted the name Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. By 1890, 173 lodges had been established throughout the United States.
Like many other fraternal orders, the Elks at one point sponsored an insurance fund. The Elks Mutual Benefit Association (EMBA) was founded in 1878. At the 1885 Grand Lodge, it was reported that the EMBA was prosperous, but its finances were carelessly managed. The Association was disbanded after the 1907 Grand Lodge passed a resolution banning mutual or insurance features, as well as degrees and auxiliaries.
The Elks have shown their devotion to Americanism by conducting bond drives, promoting civil defense programs, and Flag Day observances. During World War II, they designated the week of March 15, 1942, as "Win the War Week", and helped recruit for the United States Army Air Corps. An "Elks National Service Commission" was in operation from 1946 to 1950, and the Grand Lodge adopted a "Declaration of American Principles" in 1961 in Miami.

Right across from the Elks building we found a cute little bank... I really love how they position themselves as "One big happy little bank" :)

Kress opened his first stationery and notions store in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, in 1887. The chain of S. H. Kress & Co. 5-10-25 Cent Stores was established in 1896 in Memphis, Tennessee. In the 1920s and 1930s, Kress sold a house label of phonograph records under the Romeo trademark. He died in 1955.

 

The Kress chain was known for the architecture of its buildings. "Samuel H. Kress... envisioned his stores as works of public art that would contribute to the cityscape." A number of former Kress stores are recognized as architectural landmarks. Pueblo Kress Building was built in 1929. It was the last Kress store designed by George Mackay. There may have been some input by Edward Sibbert in the details as well. The store closed in 1979. The building now houses the Business & Technology Center.

 

The Kress building has several beautiful architectural details, like this "Ram of plenty" on the side wall.

Just across from the old Kress building you'll find this nice Main Street cafe - Solar Roast Coffee. This was our second time here and we enjoyed a cup of strong coffee and some delicious pastries again. Highly recommend this place if you are in the area and need a shot of caffeine :)

Mechanics-Masonic Building, 207-211 N. Main. Built in 1890-91. Originally named the Mechanics Building, the Masonic Lodge purchased the building in 1910 and renamed it the Masonic Building.

Some crazy murals... There are actually a lot of interesting wall paintings to be found in Pueblo. And most of them are pretty well done.

Another big small bank and a couple of cute buildings just across the street.

I think this building is about 100 years old and we loved the mural on the side wall, isn't it nice?

Love these flower pots. Do you?

We got back to the car and were ready to continue our adventure, but wanted to make a quick stop in the Union Avenue Historic District to check out the Neon Sign Museum. And it was a fun place! But we definitely need to come back here at night when all the signs are lit up and create an awesome atmosphere...

McLaughlin Building. Built in 1891 by Julius Bertrabd.

As we were walking back to the car, a bright window attracted us to Papa Jose's Union Cafe.

So we peeked inside and loved the wall decorations. I think next time we visit Pueblo we'll have lunch there, but this time we were in and out and... out of town... The road was calling and we were eager to explore...

Click here to learn about our next stop - Short stop in La Veta, a cute little town...

The pictures were taken on December 07, 2024.