Before
construction of the Las Animas Building that now sits
at 301 West Main Street in Trinidad, this corner lot was
occupied by the Exchange Saloon.
In
the February of 1872 three brothers by the name of Wilson
rode into town with a group of cowboys from Texas. During
their stay in town, one of the brothers ended up at the
Exchange Saloon for gambling and some drinks.
At
one point, thinking he had been cheated, he roared out
of the saloon yelling he would be back. While the Wilson
brother was gone, the barkeep sent for the sheriff.
Sheriff
Jaun Tafoya was waiting quietly when the cowboys returned
with their guns drawn. Despite the saloon's offer to return
the money, Wilson declared that someone was going to die.
As
Sheriff Tafoya moved forward to grab Wilson's gun, Wilson
fired. The shot critically wounded the Sheriff--Jaun Tafoya
was the first sheriff killed on duty in Trinidad.
The
Wilsons and the other cowboys barreled out of town, but
were later dealt with by a posse.
The
building now located on that site is known as the Las
Animas Building.
This
two story brick building was built in 1883 by Elbridge
Sopris--the general who founded the Sopris coal camp in
the valley now occupied by Trinidad Lake State Park.
For
a number of years, Sopris lived on the second floor of
the building and some still call it the Sopris block despite
the cornice carved with the name "Las Animas".
Like
much of the nearby land, the lot that the building sits
on was originally owned in the late 1870's by John and
Mary Skelley along with a man by the name of Maurice White.
The
Skelleys sold the property to Sopris and, interestingly
enough, when John Skelley became ill and passed away a
few years later, Mary Skelley married Elbridge Sopris.
The
building once housed Trinidad's Post Office and has in
recent years been restored by private businessman according
to specifications by the Colorado State Preservation Office.
Sources:
Trinidad
Historic Building Survey by Willard Louden
"A
Walk Through the History of Trinidad" written by
Jerry Stokes on behalf of the Trinidad Historical Society.
1986. Trinidad, Colorado.