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Colorado Travel Planning Guides : Royal Gorge Country : Royal Gorge Country References : Florence

There's Something About Florence

by Sandy Dale

Downtown Florence is a mecca for Antiquing with an abundance of antique shops & dealers on every corner. You're sure to find treasures & "one-of-a-kinds" in every window and shop.

There's Something About Florence... Just ask anyone who lives in this quaint little turn-of-the-century town. They'll tell you about the tree-shaded neighborhoods, the good schools, the Friday night high school football games, and the live music in the park during the summer. They'll tell you how great the weather is and how good the hunting and fishing is just up the road...well, maybe they won't tell you exactly where, but just up the road.

Or ask a downtown merchant. She'll tell you about the new benches, trees, planters and corner directional signs that merchants have installed as part of a beautification project on Main Street. She'll mention the Friday evenings when the shops stay open late and when the galleries have special openings for a new artist. She'll direct you to the new shops and galleries that have opened in the next block just last month.
Ask one of the visitors to Florence. He will tell you about the great old tool chest that he found in one of the many antique shops along Main Street. Then he'll tell you about the gourmet lunch he had at the corner cafe as he heads toward the yarn shop where his wife has been lost for the last hour or so.

FlorenceIf you run into the editor of the local paper or the city manager, he'll tell you about the new high school scheduled to open in 2005, the new sports complex and the complex that will house the city hall, the new library and the museum.

There is something about Florence. It started in 1870 when James A. McCandless, a young entrepreneur donated the land for the town site and named it after his daughter. Eleven years later, oil was discovered and both Continental (Conoco) and Standard Oil began here. In 1890, gold was discovered in Cripple Creek, so the town fathers built a road up the "Great Ute Canyon" (now Phantom Canyon). This road soon became the Florence and Cripple Creek and Gold Belt Railroad Line, resulting in the development of eight reduction mills to process ore, seven oil refineries, five brick factories, and a cement plant.

Though gold and oil production dwindled, coal remained a major industry until the 70's. In the 1990's Florence became home to a new Federal prison complex, regenerating the growth and economy of the little town on the Arkansas River. Now, a new 18-hole Gary Player Signature golf course, and a planned 3,000 home development help spur the economy upward.

The boom and bustle of Florence's past is reflected today in the grand old brick buildings along Main Street, soon to be designated an historical business district. Strolling down the sidewalk where almost everyone says 'howdy' and browsing in the dozen antique shops and galleries, one discovers 'there is something about Florence....'

ANTIQUES & SHOPPING

Ann's Art Annex
105 W. Main Street • 719.784.3388
An art gallery featuring handcrafted jewelry, art dulcimers, hand tooled leather, & photography. Custom framing, classes & art supplies.

Another Time
111 Main Street • Florence, CO 81226
719.784.1333
Antique Lighting and Vintage Hats.

Antiques at the Street Elmo
318 W. Main Street • 719.784.4274
Wonderful Antiques For You

Blue Spruce Gallery
Art and Antiques
205 W. Main Street • 719.784.1339
Fine Art, Fine Crafts, & Antiques.

Fox Den of Antiquity, The
123 W. Main St. • Florence, CO 81226
719.784.2303
Voted Best Antique Store in Fremont County.

Good Stuff
131 W. Main Street • 719.784.2499

Mantiques
221 W. Main Street #A • 719.784.3131
Black Powder, archery, camping, antiques, sports equipment, & collectibles.

Mercantile on Main
114 Main Street • 719.784.3576
Come see Merky the cat & lots of antiques.

Mezzanine, The
127 W. Main Street • 719.784.4598
Antiques and Collectables, LLC.

National Pastime
131 A W. Main St. • Florence, CO 81226
719.784.2068 • jdlolc@peoplepc.com
ebay: http://stores.ebay.com/MANTIQUES-and-Collectibles
Specializing in sports antiquities, programs, magazines, glassware, and much more.

Oil City Merchants
126 W. Main St. • Florence, CO 81226
719.784.6582
Furniture, Pottery, Railroad, Western Items & Quality Antiques Bought & Sold.

The Iron Gate Antique Mall, LLC
109 W. Main St. • Florence, CO 81226
719.784.3797 • M-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
Over 10,000 square feet of quality antiques. 35 dealers. Primitives, postcards, advertising, glassware, linens, furniture, and much more. Dealers welcome.

Windmill Antiques
122 W. Main Street • 719.784.1255
Beautiful Antique Furniture.

ANTIQUE WOOD-WORKING & TROPHIES

Mohr's Trophies
121 W. Front Street • 719.784.6489
Trophies, Plaques, Engravings, Logos, & Name Tags.

ART GALLERIES

Ann's Art Annex
105 W. Main Street • 719.784.3388
Handcrafted Jewelry, Art Dulcimers, & Framing.

Sage Brush Gallery & Studio
119 W. Main Street • 719.784.3005
Art of the Open Range.

The Brierley Den
111 E. Main Street • 719.784.9722
Gifted Artist & Author.

West Wind Gallery
111 E. Main Street • 719.269.1709
Handmade Arts & Crafts.

Lodging

Riviera Inn
136 E. Front St. • Florence, CO 81226
719.784.6716 • www.florencecolorado.net/riviera.htm
Hospitality is our business - clean, comfortable rooms, kitchenettes,
cable TV, refrigerators, microwaves, phones, hot tub, coin laundry,
budget rates

Super 8 Motel - Florence
4540 State Hwy 67 • Florence, CO 81226
719.784.4800 • Reservations: 800.800.8000
www.super8.com
FREE wireless internet available, continental breakfast & local calls,
guest laundry, 40 clean rooms & suites. Coffee makers, hairdryers,
alarm clock radio, refrigerators & microwaves, 25" remote TV
w/HBO & Cinemax, rollaways & cribs available.

Order a copy of the Royal Gorge Guide
CONTENTS
Super Saver Coupons
What to Do Here and How Long it Takes
2008 Area Festivals
ATTRACTIONS
The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey
Royal Gorge Helitours
FEATURES
COMMUNITIES
Enchantment west of Canon City
Florence - Antique Capitol of Colorado
Canon City - Frontier Town
DAY TRIPS
Colorado Springs
DIRECTORY
Activities
Sports Stores & Rentals
MAPS
Canon City and Florence
Gold Belt Scenic Tour
Hiking Trails

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