FORT COLLINS - Every Friday we'll be visiting a different town, city our neighborhood around our amazing state. We want to discover what makes those areas so special for those who live there. This week we are heading to the Old Town Fort Collins before the annual Fall Fest. Is there anywhere we should be sure to check out? If you have a suggestion for next week's neighborhood please let us know! You can follow along on our walking tour Friday night on Twitter and Instagram with #9neighborhoods. You can also follow us on snap chat: denver9news.
What is Old Town Fort Collins?
The city of Fort Collins was originally settled as Camp Collins in 1862 by the Kansas Volunteer Cavalry along the Overland Trail. The fort was becoming more of a town by 1872, claiming its own hotel, general store, post office, school, and brick yard in what is now Old Town. The area even helped inspire Disneyland's Main Street USA. Harper Goff, who had grown up in Fort Collins, used both the main square here and Walt Disney's hometown in Missouri when designing and building the iconic street.
This weekend, Old Town square will be transformed for the annual Fall Fest! The seasonal celebration features local artists, crafts, live music and more. If you haven't been to the area before it's the perfect chance to check out the neighborhood ad enjoy food and entertainment! The festival is this Saturday and Sunday and is free.
Highlights
Fort Collins Museum of Art
The old Post Office building in Old Town now houses the Fort Collins Museum of Art. The museum moved into the building in 1990 and is housed in one of the three floors of the gorgeous building. The old post office was built in and is a Second Renaissance Revival style structure. The museum itself houses rotating exhibitions- currently Norman Rockwell and his famous Saturday Evening Post covers.
Cooper Smith's Pub & Brewing
Cooper Smith's is one of three breweries on the main Old Town Fort Collins square. It's actually housed in two restaurants directly across the walkway from each other, each advertising its own ambiance. The brewery and pub has been a staple in the area since 1989 and was one of the first brewpubs in Northern Colorado
McPhearson Block
One of the oldest Old Town blocks, the McPhearson Block was constructed in 1884 by Scottish immigrant John McPhearson. The Victorian-style buildings all featured upper window sashes, stained glass, and elaborate pressed metal an elaborate pressed metal cornice at the top of each building. One of the first occupants, Woelz Brothers Clothing, was even the only store in the city with a flashing electric street sign for a while.
Nightlife
Old Town is well known for its nightlife. Many of Fort Collins' most popular and long standing bars are located in the area and the streets are packed almost every weekend night.
Walrus Ice Cream
Open for 28 years, this Old Town ice cream shop serves up ice cream with a side of ghost stories. The Walrus Ice Cream shop was opened on the site of a 19th century morgue and crematorium. Underneath the restaurant is a tunnel that was used to transport the bodies that were dropped off. Although some may call it haunted, everyone agrees their homemade ice cream and rotating favors are some of the best in the area.
Fort Collins Municipal Railway
Old Town is also home to a still-in-operation trolley! The cars run seasonally from City Park into Old Town along Mountain Ave. It's run entirely by volunteers and is $2 for adults. It still runs on the original 1919 street car track and even used the original binary system until 1951.
Map
Stats
Average Home Value: $304,700*
Average Rent: $1,645*
*Values are for the city of Fort Collins
(© 2015 KUSA)
