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Downtown Canon City by Kenneth Wajda

From the cattle brand board that's still on the wall of a Main Street building to a hotel that was transported brick by brick from another town, Cañon City is an interesting town with a remarkable history. Situated in a beautiful valley along the Arkansas River, the area boasts 325 days of sunshine annually, Cañon City began as a frontier town in 1859. The Arkansas River flowed through it which made the town quite appealing for settlers. The area had much to offer with ranching, farming and mining being its main attractions. Settlers soon realized that the abundant water, mild weather and fertile soil were ideal for planting orchards and growing vegetables. With the river as a source of irrigation, this region became a major farming area in Colorado.

Its downtown historic district is listed on the National Historical Register as it features architecture from the late 19th and early 20th century, but with its many restaurants, art galleries and boutiques, it teems with arts, culture, dining, entertainment, lodging and opportunities for present-day travelers.

But back in 1860's, it was a town that was fairly typical of the west-wild-with shootings, hangings and plenty of rough characters living here or passing through.

As lawlessness grew, it wasn't long until the first territorial prison was built. It opened here in 1871 to house these outlaws, but they were far from the first wild creatures to occupy the land.

In 1878, 150-million year old dinosaurs and fossils were excavated from this area including the first Stegosaurus. Over 25 different dinosaurs have been discovered here. Paleontologists continue to work on fossils that have been discovered throughout the area, which is considered one of the best for dinosaur exploration in the country. Many of the finds are now on display at the Denver Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum and the Smithsonian.

Dinosaur tracks can also be seen alongside Skyline Drive, a must-see tourist drive built in 1903 that rises 800 ft. and gives tremendous views of Cañon City and the surrounding topography.

The hot springs that flow at the mouth of the gorge made this area a healthy retreat in the 1890's. Cañon City grew quite famous as a sanitarium and people flocked to bathe in the therapeutic waters and stay at the Hot Springs Hotel. Eventually, as mining wealth declined, so did the appeal of the resort.

Many artists make their home in Cañon City and located a block from Main Street is the Fremont Center for the Arts, the oldest community arts council in the United States. It has a main gallery that features a different exhibit each month. There are also several galleries and boutiques downtown that sell art and crafts, everything from handmade soaps and candles to pottery, paintings, photographs and sculptures.

Music and nightlife is popular in Cañon City, attracting some of Colorado's top entertainers as well as some national acts. It's not uncommon to find local jazz players bebopping in a restaurant, or singer/songwriters performing in the coffeeshops. There are often blues bands, pop artists and big bands playing to a dancing crowd at a downtown ballroom, and some blues legends (Big Bill Morganfield and Phillip Walker) have stopped to play as they toured through the state. The town continues to grow musically and people now regularly travel from nearby counties for the shows.

The St. Cloud Hotel is a historic hotel that was originally built as the Powell House in Silver Cliff, a mining town about 40 miles south of Cañon City. It was disassembled and rebuilt brick by brick in 1888 at its current location at 7th and Main Street. The western bar was originally in Leadville and it too was transported to Cañon City.

There are several excellent local eateries peppered throughout the downtown and the surrounding area. Whether you want casual fare or fine dining, the choice is yours. Several cafés even feature outdoor dining.
From gourmet espressos and lattes, herb-seasoned omelets, fruit-filled crepes and spicy breakfast burritos to the most savory steaks, seafood and fine microbrews, dining in town is a treat. Mexican food is a local favorite but there are places that feature Cajun seafood, French cuisine and fine Italian specialties as well.
And if all you want is a fat stack of hotcakes with a strong cup of regular joe or a burger with fries, you'll find them here, too.

The downtown of Cañon City is where the pulse of activity thrives. Mosey down the sidewalk and take a look at some local artists' work. Bask in the warm sunshine from a bench along Main Street with a cup of Chai or cappuccino and people watch. Explore the handful of antique and treasure shops-you never know what you'll find there. Dine out, meet the locals, make some new friends, then as night falls, put on your dancing shoes and take in a show.

There's so much to do and see in downtown Cañon City. Every corner holds another surprise. While it may feel like a step back in time, entertainment, art, dining and fun await you in the 21st century in this historic little town.