In the 1890s, there was a small gold rush up in Buckhorn canyon as a (very small) find of gold ore led to rampant speculation. James R. Mason platted the small town of Masonville in order to accommodate the rush of people that he was sure would arrive. Though the only building that currently exists in the eagerly planned community is the Masonville Mercantile, the layout of the lots can still be seen in the Larimer county assessor’s map of the area.

Masonville, as seen on the Larimer county assessor's map.

Masonville, as seen on the Larimer county assessor’s map.

In addition to setting the boundaries of the new community, Mason also built a hotel and general store in 1896. For whatever reason, he chose to put both of these buildings over closer to Buckhorn creek, rather than in the newly platted town.

This photocopy of a photo of the store shows members of the Sheldon family as well as Thompsons. E. J. Thompson was the proprietor of the store for a time.

This photocopy of a photo of the store shows members of the Sheldon family as well as Thompsons. E. J. Thompson was the proprietor of the store for a time. (Image from the Fort Collins Archive.)

According to an undated newspaper clipping from the Fort Collins Archive, E. J. Thompson ran the hotel and store until he died in 1910. That information may not be entirely correct, however, as the July 13, 1904 Fort Collins Weekly Courier states,

About two weeks ago S. M. Thornton of Elwell, bought the store at Masonville that used to be owned by Currier, and last week he bought E. J. Thompson’s store. He is moving stuff from the old Currier store down to the post office, where he expects to do a rushing business.

Oscar Buffum also apparently had a store in the area. In fact, in the four census pages for the Buckhorn area in 1900, Buffum is the only person listed as running a store, which leaves ones to wonder if Thompson’s store and hotel was really more of a side business and therefore not mentioned as primary businesses by their owner(s).

This old photo of the Masonville store is from the Fort Collins Archives (#T02755) where it is said to be from the early 1900s.

This old photo of the Masonville store is from the Fort Collins Archives (#T02755) where it is said to be from the early 1900s.

At some point members of the Kitchen family bought the Masonville store. Both Grant and James Kitchen can be found in the 1910 census documents as general merchants in Buffum (which the Masonville area was sometimes also called due to the fact that the Buffum family were early arrivals to the area).

This photo of the store is from Elyse Deffke Bliss's book, Apples of the Mummy's Eye: The Dickerson Sisters.

This photo of the store is from Elyse Deffke Bliss’s book, Apples of the Mummy’s Eye: The Dickerson Sisters.

Ed and Sadie Kitchen took over the store in 1921, at which point they moved it from its original location to where it stands today, at the corner of W. County Rd. 38E and Buckhorn Rd. It was hoped that the new location would provide additional traffic by the shop, as the newspaper explained:

“Masonville store is being moved, or by this time is moved, to a new site north of the church on ground owned by Judge Stolts, who is endeavoring to build a city. The owners of the store expect to catch the Fort Collins/Estes Park tourist trade in the new location.” — Fort Collins Courier, May 28, 1921

There are a couple of funny stories that have been handed down through the years regarding this move. One is that there was a chicken that lived behind the counter in the store and as it was being rolled from one location to the other, the chicken traveled right along with the building. The other is that while the building was up on rollers, traveling for three days from one spot to the other, the family continued to sell items out the door to customers.

Two of the Kitchen’s kids were actually born in the building. Norris Kitchen was born there in 1921 and brother John was born there in 1936.

This image is from the Fort Collins Archive (#H08376) and shows the store before it was moved. The building at left is where the Dickerson sisters and their mother would stay during the school year, since the Masonville school was the closest to their home, but too far to travel to each day. The middle building is the Masonville store. The Kitchens lived in the house on the far side.

This image is from the Fort Collins Archive (#H08376) and shows the store before it was moved. The building at left is where the Dickerson sisters and their mother would stay during the school year, since the Masonville school was the closest to their home, but too far to travel to each day. The middle building is the Masonville store. The Kitchens lived in the house on the far side.

By the time of the undated article mentioned earlier, Hunter Spence owned the Masonville store. (The article is likely from the late 1960s or early 70s). The road between Masonville and Loveland had just recently been paved, and the stretch between Masonville and Fort Collins had only a mile of paving left to go. A note by the author adds, “Masonville is reached from Fort Collins, by following the oiled Horsetooth Road south to the community.” (Oil was used on roads to keep the dust down.)

An undated photograph of the Masonville Trading Post on file at the Fort Collins Archive (#S01257).

An undated photograph of the Masonville Trading Post on file at the Fort Collins Archive (#S01257).

In 1972, Bob Webb purchased the general store. He added a pool hall and bar where he sold 3.2 beer. The neighbors were appalled. They probably imagined it was the beginning of the end for their quiet ranching community.

The store continued to grow (quite literally as Bob added several additions) and the influence of Bob’s partner, Mardi Denny, led to a truly eclectic mix of items for sale. A 1984 Coloradoan article described the store’s offerings this way…

“A browser can find a radiator hose, a porcelain doll, old-timey Christmas cards, a custom horse trailer, clocks, bells, lamps, fishing bait, gasoline, music boxes, feed for pigs, a carton of milk, a Mardi Gras mask, a hunting license…. You get the idea.”

Bob Webb in the Masonville Trading Post around 1979. This photo is taken from a newspaper clipping in the Fort Collins Archive.

Bob Webb in the Masonville Trading Post around 1979. This photo is taken from a newspaper clipping in the Fort Collins Archive.

The north facade of the Masonville store in the 1980s. (Photo on file in the Fort Collins Archive #H14028.)

The north facade of the Masonville store in the 1980s. (Photo on file in the Fort Collins Archive #H14028.) <– or so the photo was labeled in the archive. But according to Polly (see comments) this is “the feed store located on the southwest side of the property.” 

The Masonville store in the 1980s. (Photo on file in the Fort Collins Archive #H14029.)

The Masonville store in the 1980s. (Photo on file in the Fort Collins Archive #H14029.)

The trading post in 1988. (Photo on file at the Fort Collins Archive #H16961.)

The trading post in 1988. (Photo on file at the Fort Collins Archive #H16961.)

The trading post in 1988. (Photo on file at the Fort Collins Archive #H16959.)

The trading post in 1988. (Photo on file at the Fort Collins Archive #H16959.)

Bob and Mardi still own the store, now called Masonville Mercantile. The collection of items for sale has continued to evolve and today a visitor can not only find books and postcards related to the history of northern Colorado and the West, snacks and nicknacks and other odds and ends, but Mardi also has a huge collection of old-timey clothes from the Victorian era on up to around the World War II era, as well as jewelry and hats to match.

But the store is more than just a store. Bob and Mardi have been collecting a hodge podge of items over the years that make the Masonville Mercantile as much a museum as a shop. So even if you don’t have any interest in buying anything, it’s still well worth your time to stop in and take a look see at all of the bits and pieces of history scattered around, both in and outside the store.

Gates from the Loveland jail that Bob Webb added to the south side of the store.

Gates from the Loveland jail that Bob Webb added to the south side of the store.

Metal bunks provided the only personal space in a very small jail cell.

Metal bunks provided the only personal space in a very small jail cell.

One bunk has been permanently taken up by a mannequin and his dog.

One bunk has been permanently taken up by a man(nequin) and his dog.

Bob and Mardi's private porch is visible through the bars of the jail. Clearly their eclectic style and rustic/historic tastes continue on into their private lives.

Bob and Mardi’s private porch is visible through the bars of the jail. Clearly their eclectic style and rustic/historic tastes continue on into their private lives.

This old timer greets you as you come in through the door.

This old timer greets you as you come in through the door.

Do your kids have any idea what a telephone booth is? If not, swing on by the shop to take a peek at this one.

Do your kids have any idea what a telephone booth is? If not, swing on by the shop to take a peek at this one.

Some displays look more like a panorama from a museum than a show of items for sale.

Some displays look more like a panorama from a museum than an exhibition of items for sale.

There are lots of dresses for sale.

There are lots of dresses for sale. And shoes…. And hats….

There are styles for men as well.

There are styles for men as well.

Mardi Denny poses in front of the Masonville Mercantile -- October 2016.

Mardi Denny poses in front of the Masonville Mercantile — October 2016.

Location: 9120 N County Road 27 Masonville, CO 80541 (if Googling use Loveland 80538).
Hours: Thursday – Saturday 11 to 5 PM. Sunday 12 to 4 PM.
Contact: 970-667-4058 facebook.com/MasonvilleMercantile

 


Sources for this story

Newspaper articles before 1923 came from ColoradoHistoricNewspapers.com. All other newspaper articles appear to be from the Coloradoan and were on file at the Fort Collins Archive.

Information on the Kitchen’s children that were born in the store came from the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program document, “Pieces of the Past. The Story of Bobcat Ridge Natural Area.” (December 2008)

Census data was accessed through Ancestry.com.