Van Nest Building

Estimated to have been built in 1885 for Van Nest, likely Albert J. Van Nest, this building likely housed him, his wife, and five male lodgers on the second floor, while the original main-floor business is unknown. Kelso's Department Store operated on the ground floor beginning in December 1896, selling notions, underwear and hosiery, blankets, shoes, shirts, overalls, tinware, glassware, groceries, and school supplies. Waddles Grocery occupied the space in April 1897, followed by Florence Grocery Company in June 1897. By 1900, a bakery was in the building and added an oven in back, but by the end of that year the bakery was gone and D.K. McRae hardware and implements were there. By 1901, August Fast owned the building. In 1909, offices were upstairs and a milliner was on the first floor, and Sanborn maps for 1912 and 1926 show a bakery on the first floor. The Oasis Café and Bar occupied a building down the street in 1936, with its ornate bar and backbar moved from Cripple Creek to Florence, and in 1939 the Oasis moved into this building, remaining here until it was renamed the Oasis Tavern in 1953. At that time, five upstairs rooms were listed for rent. Under brothers Dan and Mike Brator, the tavern changed very little during the next 25 years, though Dan noted to a local newspaper that it was standing room only while the mines were operating. Over the following 25 years, the tavern had a few owners and operators, and it is currently owned by L and M Enterprise, LLC and operated as Jess' Best Barbeque.

Florence, Colorado · United States