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One of the hidden gems along Colorado's Front Range is downtown Loveland, where historic architecture, independent businesses and the arts come together to create a rich environment for visitors and residents alike. The historic Fourth Street corridor between Railroad and Washington streets is filled with numerous historic buildings that tell the story of Loveland's development as a railroad and agricultural center.
In 1861, the Cheyenne and Arapahoe nations ceded land east of the Rocky Mountains to the United States and white settlers quickly began farming in the Big Thompson River Valley, which flows east from a source in today's Rocky Mountain National Park. The town of Loveland was incorporated in 1877 and named for William Loveland, at that time President of the Colorado Central Railroad, which was building a line between the Union Pacific's intercontinental line in Wyoming and the booming communities of Denver and Golden to the south.
By the 1880s, Loveland had become a prosperous center for the farming district that developed in the well-irrigated Big Thompson Valley. At the west end of downtown, the iconic Loveland Feed & Grain provides an ever-present reminder of Loveland's agrarian past. Constructed by local farmers in 1891, the Feed & Grain is currently the focus of community restoration efforts. At the other end of Fourth Street is the 1902 Romanesque Revival-style Colorado & Southern Railroad Depot (successor to the Colorado Central).
The 1920 Rialto Theater block, in the middle of Fourth Street, is often referred to as the "heart of Loveland". The Art Nouveau Style theater was reopened as a community performing arts center in 1996 after many years of fundraising and thousands of hours of volunteer labor. Today the historic Rialto Theater is a thriving, 446 seat performing arts center that hosts nationally touring performers, up-and-coming local bands, children's theater, choral groups, classic and independent films and other community events.
Other prominent buildings on Fourth Street include the Lincoln Hotel, the Beaux-Arts-style First National Bank Building, several restored commercial buildings, and the 1905 First United Presbyterian Church, featuring a unique round chapel and pews, a grand pipe organ, and Gothic stained glass windows. Within walking distance of Fourth Street are numerous historic homes and churches constructed between the 1890's and 1920's.
Loveland's Fourth Street corridor is becoming a center for the visual arts as well as live performances. In addition to the numerous galleries along Fourth Street, the Loveland Museum-Gallery, only a block away at 503 N. Lincoln Avenue, has extensive displays of Loveland's history. "In addition, the Downtown Loveland Association will include downtown properties on walking tours scheduled for this summer. With opportunities to dine, shop, see local artist's work and attend cultural attractions and live performances, downtown Loveland and the historic Fourth Street corridor have much to offer.
Fun Facts to Know and Tell:
Look closely at the façade of the Rialto Theater to find terracotta reliefs showing Venetian ships, knights on horseback and peacocks.
The townsite was platted on the farm of David Barnes but the harvesting of a bumper crop of hay delayed completing the plan.
Barnes is also known as "the father of Loveland." He was responsible for planting many of the shade trees in town. He declined to have the town named after him, otherwise we'd be talking about Barnesland.
Other Places to Visit:
Historic Parish House and Museum
Loveland Museum and Gallery
Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum
Best Times to Visit:
Walking tour information will be available at the Loveland Museum-Gallery at 503 N. Lincoln Avenue.
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