Roscoe’s Blacksmithing

This is one of the earliest commercial buildings in Idaho Springs. Built in the 1870’s by J. H. Warner, one of its earliest uses was as a saloon and billiard parlor. It was also the location for one of Idaho Springs’ most successful blacksmiths, E. A. Roscoe. Established in 1904, Mr. Roscoe’s business dealt with blacksmithing, rubber tire work, and wagons. He made and repaired wagons, sold new and second-hand wagons, and painted plain and ornamental wagon signs. At the end of the 1920’s, Mr. Roscoe moved his shop across the street to the west side of 17th Avenue.

In the 1930’s Mr. Robeson (who then owned the Idaho Springs Lumber Yard) used the building for storage, and other locals used the lot to park their cars. In 1939 Mr. Robeson leased the building to Les Clark, Sr. for approximately $40.00 per month. Les converted the building to a general auto repair shop, putting in the large door on the north side in order to accommodate trucks. During WWII the shop was closed, but after the war, Les returned to do auto repair during the summers. Clifford Vaughn Cullen owned the Cullen Auto Body Repair at 222 17th Avenue from 1946 until he retired in 1975. His son Jim continued the business.

222 17th Avenue in Idaho Springs, Colorado