Many visitors and even longtime residents are often surprised to learn that downtown Salida boasts Colorado’s largest National Historic District.
The journey toward this recognition began in 1981 when Mary Taylor of the Colorado Historical Society visited Salida as part of a review of 23 communities. She noted the area’s impressive collection of well-preserved historic buildings, prompting a formal survey in 1984 funded by a state grant.
This official study examined 136 buildings across a 32.6-acre area in downtown Salida. Using Colorado Historical Architectural Inventory forms, the survey analyzed architectural descriptions, historical backgrounds, evaluations of historical significance, and old photographs, alongside original location maps. The findings concluded that the downtown area was "a strong district that retains architectural significance and historic physical integrity."
On June 14, 1984, downtown Salida earned its designation as a National Historic District.
The National Register of Historic Places, maintained by the U.S. National Park Service, is the federal government’s official list of districts, sites, buildings, and objects considered worthy of preservation. Salida also boasts two individual structures on the register: the F Street Bridge and the Bon Ton/Manhattan Hotel.
However, these designations are largely honorary and do not provide automatic protections.
Without local ordinances regulating changes to buildings in historic districts, property owners are free to make alterations or demolish structures as they wish.
For years after Salida’s designation, a lack of protective measures resulted in the loss or significant modification of several historic buildings. To address this, the city established the Salida Historic Preservation Commission in 2002, dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the historic district.
Historic preservation offers more than cultural value; it also drives economic benefits. Heritage tourism contributes billions of dollars annually to Colorado’s economy, underscoring the value of preserving districts like Salida’s.
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