Life on the Corner of
“Main and Main”

Franklin Avery recognized the significance of the intersection of Mountain and College Avenues. Often called “the corner of Main and Main,” it marked the epicenter of commercial and cultural life in his adopted home town. This is why he insisted on locating the First National Bank of Fort Collins here!

Through the years, the city has grown many times over, but the heartbeat of this lively cultural intersection has always remained strong.

In the days soon after the Avery Block was built, pedestrians shared the intersection with horse-drawn traffic. (Fort Collins Local History Archive H00916)

Fort Collins was “bike friendly” even in 1907! Note the lineup of bicycles along the curb and around the corner. (Fort Collins Local History Archive H01814c)

By 1937, horse-drawn carriages had been replaced by fancy automobiles and streetcars. This view looks down College at left and Linden at right, on either side of the Avery block. (Fort Collins Local History Archive H02746)

Looking southwest along College, across Mountain Avenue. That’s Avery’s rival, the Poudre Valley National Bank, on the far corner, prior to its 1925 expansion. (Fort Collins Local History Archive H06149)

The corner of Main and Main in the 1950s, looking northwest. That’s the Avery Block at right. (Fort Collins Local History Archive H04092)

The Fort Collins Lion’s Club ran a Polio drive in January 1956. With a clever “Polio Toll Gate” they raised $569 in cash! (Fort Collins Local History Archive H08098)

> Avery Restoration
      Partners

> Avery Restoration
       Intro

> Avery Restoration
      Blog Index

   Avery History
   > Franklin C. Avery
   > Avery Block Building
   > Avery Murder Trial
   > Battle of the Banks
   > Preserving
      Fort Collins

Life on the Corner of “Main and Main”

Life on the Corner of
“Main and Main”