For 28 years, Colorado’s Most Endangered Places program has partnered with organizations and individuals to protect and preserve the places that continue to be fundamental resources in communities large and small, rural and urban, and today four resources have been added to the Most Endangered Places list. The announcement of the addition of the Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast, Knearl Block and Opera House, Newman Block, and Red Cliff Town Hall was made by the Endangered Places Director Katie Peterson at the Most Endangered Places luncheon, during the Saving Places Conference, at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs.
“Colorado’s Most Endangered Places list includes places as large as the Colorado State Capitol in Denver or as small as the Feminilas Building in El Rito,” Endangered Places Director Katie Peterson said. “It includes everything from city blocks to churches, apple orchards, and small local, family-owned establishments. Every place has a story to tell, and our purpose is to relay those histories to the public and preserve them for future generations. With the addition of these four resources, we have highlighted 144 historic resources throughout Colorado, with 57 successfully saved and only nine lost.”
The Four Colorado’s Most Endangered Places Announced Today Include:
Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast
Imagine this: It’s a crisp morning in 1988 in the quiet town of Antonito, nestled in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. Residents step outside to an unexpected sight—cameras rolling, actors rehearsing, lights flashing, and crews bustling around town. Hollywood had arrived to transform Antonito into the backdrop for what would become one of the most iconic films of the 20th century. The opening scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were filmed there, with the action centered on the historic Cumbres & Toltec Railroad and the charming Victorian building at 502 Front Street, now known as the Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast. Built in 1888, Indiana Jones’ boyhood residence was originally the Carroll family home and one of the first houses constructed in Antonito. The Carrolls moved to the area to support local miners and ran a business selling horses and mules. Over the years, the house has remained privately owned, with the current owner acquiring it in 2017 and transforming it into a charming bed and breakfast. Guests can stay in one of three cozy upstairs bedrooms and explore a fascinating museum on the main floor dedicated to Indiana Jones and the rich local history of Antonito and the San Luis Valley. Unfortunately, the foundation of the home is failing, and the building is beginning to sag and shift. Nevertheless, the 136-year-old adobe home retains most of its historic integrity, with small repairs made as needed. However, all rehabilitation rests on the need for a new, solid foundation before work on the windows and stucco can begin.
Colorado Preservation is excited to work with the current owner and other partners to spotlight the rich cinematic history tied to Colorado, particularly through this iconic site. The Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the intersection of movie history and heritage preservation. By leveraging this significance, CPI hopes to help secure funding for restoration efforts, ensuring the home’s historic charm and cultural relevance endure for generations.
Knearl Block and Opera House
A post office, hat-making factory, hotel, restaurant, opera house, bank, bar, and telephone exchange – oh my! Nestled in the heart of Main Street in Brush, the Knearl Block and Opera House embodies the multifaceted use of buildings in Eastern Colorado communities. Since its construction in 1902, this downtown Brush building has served many purposes as a hub of social interaction, local commerce, and cultural identity. Named after William H. “Billy” Knearl, a prominent businessman and leader in early Brush history, this Main Street building’s architecture reflects the grandeur of its era. With its intricate brickwork, tall windows, and timeless facade, the building captures the elegance of early 1900s design. The unique “Desky Hotel” sign is a rare example of the lighted blue enamel sign and one of two recorded on buildings in Colorado. Originally a bustling hub of commerce and culture, the Knearl Block housed a mercantile store on its first floor, while the second floor became home to the famed Opera House. This space hosted lively performances, gatherings, and events, making the building the cultural heart of Brush. Over the decades, the building transitioned through various roles, from serving as a hotel — including its time as the iconic Desky Hotel and later the Cattleman’s Inn—to becoming a beloved sports bar and community meeting spot. Today, the Knearl Block and Opera House is privately owned and operates as the Corral Sports Bar & Grill, a business that has remained in the building since December 2003. The owner has taken as many steps as possible to stabilize the building using available funds. Unfortunately, time has taken its toll on the building, rendering the upper story unusable and the south wall beginning to detach. However, the current owner continues to be dedicated to preserving the building and keeping it a vibrant community hub by providing space for large events. It recently celebrated its addition to the State Register of Historic Places.
Newman Block
During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order #9066, which authorized the U.S. military to forcibly remove all citizens of Japanese descent and place them in internment centers. Amache, located in southeastern Colorado, was one of ten internment locations that held Japanese Americans during the war. Due to its proximity to the small town of Granada, the incarcerated individuals at Amache frequently interacted with local townspeople. A key location for this interaction was the Newman Block, which housed the Granada Fish Market and Newman’s Drug Store. Newman’s Drug Store, the larger of the two buildings, was originally constructed before 1914. In 1942, pharmacist Ed Newman recognized the need for a larger business in town and purchased the building. He moved his pharmacy into the space, dug a well, added a soda fountain, and opened a newsstand. As Japanese Americans at Amachesought work outside the camp, Newman employed many at his store. He also sponsored sports teams inside Amache, providing uniforms and trophies. Next door to Newman’s Drug Store is a smaller blue building that housed the Granada Fish Market. Frank Masa Tsuchiya, who had been incarcerated at Amache, previously owned a wholesale fish market in Los Angeles before being sent to the camp. After his release on May 11, 1943, Tsuchiya moved just over a mile to Granada, where he quickly opened the Granada Fish Market. He worked alongside Frank Torizawa, who had also worked in a fish market before the war. Together, they delivered fish, poultry, and ice to those still incarcerated at Amache. Beyond providing goods, the Granada Fish Market also donated various items to improve the lives of those behind barbed wire. The Granada Pioneer newspaper published short articles thanking Tsuchiya for his generous contributions, such as Christmas trees and poultry. Today, the Newman Building is used as a rental event space and retains much of its exterior historic integrity. The Fish Market is currently vacant. Attention was drawn to the structures when one of the four buildings that share walls collapsed.
Red Cliff Town Hall
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the small community of Red Cliff is nestled within the White River National Forest. Known for its abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, fishing, biking, and cross-country skiing, Red Cliff offers both natural beauty and adventure. On Main Street, the historic Town Hall and Firehouse stand as enduring symbols of the town’s rich heritage and remain central to its community life. Constructed around 1887, the Red Cliff Old Town Hall and Firehouse serve as a testament to the early mining days in the Battle Mountain Mining District. After fires in 1882 and 1883 that destroyed most of the town, residents realized the need for a better system to help fight fires. In 1887, the town constructed an underground pipe water system, and water from nearby Willow Creek flowed to four hydrants along the main streets. The Town Hall and Firehouse was constructed later to house the town’s fire and political activities, and the upstairs was used as a dance hall in the 1930s. A concrete jail was constructed in the rear around 1937. The Red Cliff Old Town Hall and Firehouse served the community for almost 90 years. After a brief stint as a daycare in 1974, the building closed in 1980 and has been vacant since. Unfortunately, the building is in failing condition and not structurally sound. Rotting wood and a sloping foundation contribute to the building’s decline. However, a recent Historic Structure Assessment completed in 2023 identifies the necessary steps needed to stabilize the building to begin the process of turning the building into a museum that spotlights the history of Red Cliff and the Battle Mountain Mining District, Summit and Eagle Counties, and ultimately the early development of the mountain region of Colorado.
Two sites previously listed on Colorado’s Most Endangered Places were moved from ALERT to PROGRESS:
● Costilla County Mission Churches
● Kit Carson Museum Complex
Do you know of a threatened historic building or resource in Colorado needing assistance? Nominate it to be one of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places. Nominations are accepted year-round. To be considered for the 2026 list, submit applications before July 7, 2025, at 5 p.m.
This project is paid for in part by a History Colorado State Historical Fund grant. Colorado’s Most Endangered Places are located throughout the state. The general public is invited to visit, learn, and be inspired. www.coloradopreservation.org