The Erickson Building

Edward Erickson commenced construction of this building in 1879, finishing the exterior in 1880. Two fires in the central business district of Idaho Springs in 1878 damaged many commercial businesses and soon convinced owners their investment would be better secured in brick buildings– Mr. Erickson was no exception. His new business house was designed to be fireproof. The building housed a variety of businesses through the years. Erickson maintained the building until 1916 when he sold it to Simon Weinberger for use as a saloon. The saloon sported the city’s first electric sign. uses, included a meat market and the “GEM” movie theatre. The ERICKSON BUILDING was renovated along with it’s neighbor Big Pink in the early 1980s.

1630 Miner Street in Idaho Springs, Colorado