Brunswick Flat

This building was constructed in two phases, the west portion completed in 1880 and the east section the following year. Peter Miess named the structure “BRUNSWICK FLAT” and opened a boot and dry goods store here. From the southwest corner, steps led into the basement where first a barber shop and by 1906 a saloon flourished. An apartment for Miess and sleeping room for miners occupied the second floor. By 1885, Campbell and White Grocers occupied the east portion of the building In 1913, the west section had become Machol Drug Store and that same year the city installed a red light on top of the building. When an emergency occurred, a call would be placed to “Central”– the town switchboard on the second floor and the operator on duty would activate the red light. Idaho Springs’ lone police officer knew to report to City Hall any time the red light was seen burning. This system continued until police radio cars became commonplace during the 1950’s. BrUNSWICK FLAT continued as a drug store until 1985. The red light was restored during renovations in 1991.

The cornice of BrUNSWICK FLAT is an outstanding example of corbelled brickwork with a decorative sawtoothed frieze, a trademark of the Cornish brick masons who worked in this valley during the Colorado Gold Rush of the 1880’s.

1502-06 Miner Street in Idaho Springs, Colorado