Colorado Getaways

• Mar 10, 2008 3:44 pm US/Mountain
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  Victor's Silver Dollar Cafe Listed As 'Endangered'

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Victor's Silver Dollar Cafe Listed As 'Endangered'

VICTOR, Colo. (CBS4) ― In the midst of the brick buildings of Victor stands the Silver Dollar Cafe. One of only two stone buildings in the former mining town, it was rebuilt after the fire in 1899 which destroyed most of Victor. Today the cafe stands empty and badly damaged.

"The water damage is from the roof all the way down to the second floor down to the first floor and into the basement," said Bruce Davis with the Victor Heritage Society.

Colorado Preservation put the cafe on its list of most endangered places in February. The building has been home to many businesses over the years.

"It's had a J.C. Penney's store in here. It had a milliner's stop. It's been a stationary store, a newspaper shop. There's been a doctor's office in here," Davis said.

But under all those names is the Silver Dollar.

"It was also used as a cafe through the 40s, and my understanding is they also used to have dances in here," Davis said.

The architecture of the cafe offers a real glimpse of days gone by.

"I think one of the most significant things here is the mural across the back bar," Davis said. "The other thing that is kind of unique about it is the maybe late 30s, early 40s Art Deco type of decor," he said.

But Davis sees plenty of potential in this building in need.

"It's one of the premier projects which should be undertaken here in Victor to help bring back this town and preserve its unique character and its unique history."

Other business owners who are still trying to attract a tourist trade would like to see any improvements done in the town.

"Right now, Victor looks a little shabby," said shop owner Karen Morrison. "Anything that can be done to make it look better will make people want to come here more."

"You lose the building, you lose all the history," she said. "You lose all the people's interest in coming here because they don't want to see a town that's falling apart."

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