Friday, October 16, 2015

Antique Capital of Colorado

On the Road . . . 

 As you enter Main Street, Florence, Colorado, you'd think you were on an old 
western movie set, rich with 1900-period details, gorgeous architecture and tall store fronts.


But this little town in south central Colorado calls itself 
"The Antique Capital of Colorado" and it's aptly named. 
Main Street, with diagonal parking and brick buildings, is lined with about a dozen antique stores. 


The city was named after Florence, daughter of local settler James McCandless. 
It was incorporated in 1887 but its history goes back to the 1860s when oil was discovered. 

We couldn't wait to check out the shops but the yummy architecture kept getting in the way. 


The stores were crammed with antiques, collectibles, gifts, art and welcoming shopkeepers. 


I found two treasures. 
An old book with torn binding, just the kind I love, called "Reddy Woodpecker," 
a "Tuck-me-in Tale." How sweet is that?



My other find was a large vintage breadboard. The sales clerk thought it was probably from the 40s
or 50s. The wood is over an inch thick and the surface has been carved with a sheaf of wheat and
the words "Give us this day our daily bread." 
I imagine a young boy might have carved it for his mother. Love it. 


But it was sticky and icky. 
A quick cure: dump Kosher salt all over the surface, mix in enough lemon juice to make a paste, smear it all over and scour with a rough sponge. Let sit for 30-60 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Dry with a paper towel. Better than new!


Remember, when visiting these old towns, be sure to leave Main Street and check out the neighborhood. There are some delicious old houses not to be missed. 


25 comments:

  1. Glad you got to visit Florence -- I live less than 10 miles from there and did a post not too long ago about the town. Love the breadboard -- good thing I didn't see it first, as I would have bought it!! It was meant to be yours. Sally

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    1. Hi Sally! We're almost neighbors! I live in Denver but enjoy seeing the rest of our beautiful state. If I lived that close to Florence, I'd be there every week. You must have a lot of treasures! Thanks for visiting.

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  2. Oh wow, what a wonderful place! That's my kind of place. It reminds me of several small towns here in Missouri.
    I enjoyed seeing what you bought too.
    Have a wonderful week,
    gina

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  3. Oh boy! A whole row in a cute little town? Awesomeness!

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  4. I love towns like this, and oh that house! Hubby and I always get off the freeway and travel back roads, old town main streets and neighborhoods. You never know what beauty you will come upon! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Hi Jann! I'll arm wrestle you for that house! Thanks for visiting.

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  5. Wow, such beautiful scenery, that house is so gorgeous. It's my dream to live in a house like that surrounded by dilapidated gardens :)

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    1. Hi Laura Lee, I think we have a bidding war going for that house! Thanks for visiting.

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  6. Now your post is one of my favorite kinds, love to learn about other places. We live on other side of Rockies, west of Grand Junction. Only time we've been in Denver is going thru it when we visited KY after we moved here. We live in a town that isn't really a town, no govt. just houses and some businesses, a state park lake. It's out in country but not too far from "civilization". I so love towns like Florence. Maybe before weather gets too bad we could go for ride someday to see it. That house reminds me of many in Helena, MT, lots of awesome old houses., very wide street with trees,grass in median. We lived south east of Helena from 92 -99 then moved to Bowling Green, KY area to be close to oldest son than after 5 yrs. we moved here where two of our kids are. Oldest son is back in San Diego area again, he didn't like KY too much. It's gorgeous there but weather didn't agree with me at all. I would have moved back to MT but no chance of having what we had before, 20 acres off Canyon Ferry Lake. I do miss our house/property in KY but weather here on western slope agrees with me much better. You'd think I'd miss San Diego after living in several areas of S.D. for 21 yrs.but once I got taste of living out in country in MT then KY no more city for me. Happy weekend

    If you care to reply please do so to my email address. Thanks

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  7. What a cute town! The kind you want to make sure you have on your walking shoes and can just spend the day touring, shopping and eating at.

    Thanks so much for sharing this, loved it!

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    1. Thanks for visiting Christine. I've got my walking shoes on! Let's go.

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  8. I so wish I lived nearby, Pat, so I could go shopping and architecture-peeping. Love this old town and would really enjoy visiting all those shops. You got a pair of good finds and I appreciate your tutorial on cleaning up bread boards. I just bought a pig-shaped board and it needs some attention. I'm going to try out your "recipe." Thanks so much for linking up with Vintage Charm--hope to see you there again :)

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    1. I wish you lived nearby too! Good luck with your breadboard. Thanks for visiting.

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  9. Hi Pat! You are featured today at LTV! Thanks so much for joining in the fun!
    ~Jill

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    1. Thank you for featuring me Jill. So glad you enjoyed my post.

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  10. Visiting from Bella Rosa, and I love how you captioned the feeling of Florence by saying, "It's like Disneyland for people like us!" I'm one of your people, so count me as one of your newest followers. :D
    RIta C at Panoply

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    1. Hi! Thank you so much. I appreciate your following me so I won't get lost by myself!

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  11. What a great spot to shop! That bread board is great! Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!

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  12. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful post with Flea Market Friday! I will be featuring it in a little bit when this weeks party starts! xxx....Brooke

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  13. Hi Brooke, Wow! Thanks for featuring my big yellow house (I wish it was mine!). I'm in love with Dessa Belle. So sweet! My maltese/bichon Roxy would love her. Party on.

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  14. Thanks for shopping with us at Florence Antiques! I am so happy you like the book and bread board....see you soon....Larry Nelson 719 338 1628

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    1. What a nice surprise to hear from Florence, Co! Love shopping in your little town and hope to come back soon.

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