348 Main Street

Built sometime between 1899 and 1908, this is a rectangular masonry building with a flat roof that shares a party wall with the adjoining building to the west. Originally designed in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements, Commercial Style, recent modifications have removed a considerable amount of character defining features. This building is significant for its position in the commercial development of Carbondale. The building served for a significant period as a saloon and social gathering place for the community. Price Wickliffe’s saloon was referred to often in the local newspaper of the period and the saloon seemed to have survived through Needham’s ownership at the least. The building is a good example of the 19th century commercial style with its corbelled cornice, simple rectangular plan form, and large storefront windows. Its masonry construction indicates a long-term commitment to the community on the part of the builders. This building is one of several buildings on Main Street that represent this style of architecture.

The property was initially owned by The Carbondale Town and Land Company and sold to the Carbondale Improvement Company in 1890. F. E. Sweet (Frank) purchased the property in 1891 and sold it to Price Wickliffe in 1899. Wickliffe operated a saloon out of the premises. Wickliffe sold to I. A. Underwood in 1902 for $1,500. A mortgage, taken out by Underwood in 1906, described one saloon bar, back bar mirror, ice box or refrigerator, pool table, and billiard table, four car tables, one cigar case, one liquor case, one cash register, one slot machine, two dozen chairs, and the heating plant. Unfortunately, no references were found for Underwood (or Wickliffe) in the census searches. In the fall of 1906 Jessie Needham purchased the property. Several references to James Needham were found in the Avalanche of 1890, but no clues were given to his occupation or if he ran a business out of this building. He did not appear in any of the available censuses. In August of 1907, he lost the property through default on a loan and The Baer Brothers Mercantile Company bought the note. The Baer Brothers appear to have been Issac and Adolf, who operated a business in Leadville, Colorado; there is no indication that they owned a business in Carbondale by the same name. At this point the title was unclear as to who owned the property. In 1914, it showed up in the settlement of the will of Mary J. Francis, which transferred the ownership to Henry Van Syckle (her husband). In 1930, he transferred the property to his second wife, Frances P. Van Syckle. The current owners, Andrew & Judy Mazeika purchased the property from James H. Hooker. Hooker purchased the property some time before 1982. The building continues to be used as a bar and restaurant today.

Town of Carbondale Downtown Survey Project, 2006, Reid Architect's, Inc., Manuscript on file, History Colorado, Denver, Colorado.

Carbondalegov.org

Carbondale Historical Society