Salvage Job – Apartments Downtown Florence – Phase 1

The Job: Apartments above Florence Lanes.

Decades of neglect left the building with a compromised roof and water damage. The new owners, the Duncan family, contacted us to salvage the building since they were getting ready to gut everything and move forward with the planned remodel. In this salvage job we removed most doors, interior windows, all hardware and some sinks. We plan to go back for some more bathroom fixtures.

The Building: W.P. Wilbar Block 108-110 W. Main

The building was erected in two sections in 1895(east) and 1896 (west). The brick of the eastern part is a slightly lighter shade than the west part.

Phase 1 PhotosIn 1895 the eastern portion of the building housed the grocery of William Pawton Wilbar who was described as “a pioneer of the community who had taken an active part in its business and community life.” In 1917, he sold his business in Florence and took a management position with the Portland Mercantile Company. 

Wilbar was known as “the father of Newlan Creek” because he was the principal of getting the creek’s mountain water for the city’s water supply. He died in Florence in 1945.

Fremont Lanes bowling alley has been at this location since 1960. The bowling alley was associated with Fremont Lanes café. At that time, the bowling alley offered eight lanes, a pro shop, and a lounge and snack bar. With a modern rehab before it opened, it was their liquor license that moved the City into a new era, as the 1st liquor license sold in Florence, for use on the established “safe side” for women and children to pass on North side of Main Street. Up to this time, all liquor sales were on the south side of Main Street.

The Future: Lofts

In 2019, Roger and Kathryn Duncan purchased the Florence Lanes Bowling Alley. The original bowling Alley was built in 1960 and will be 60 years old this year. 

The Duncan’s plan on modernizing it while at same time preserving its history by putting back in the original 1958 Brunswick Bowling masking units which have been stored in the basement since the mid 1970’s. They also have plenty of bowling memorabilia that was stored in the basement that will be used to create a timeline of the bowling alley.

Upstairs above the Bowling Alley they plan on building 5 residential lofts that will be for sale and that also keep some of the buildings history while also making them updated and convenient for today’s resident. It will provide downtown living and walkability to Florence’s many restaurants, Shops etc.

Salvage Job – Florence Pioneer Museum Kitchen

The Job: Florence Pioneer Museum Basement Kitchen

The Pioneer Museum in Florence, Colorado, approached us with a unique opportunity to assist in the removal of old kitchen cabinets and a sink from their basement. These cabinets, which had served their purpose long ago, were no longer in use and needed to be removed to make way for updates. As a company dedicated to salvaging and preserving history, we were thrilled to help ensure these materials didn’t end up in a landfill.

The removal process took a couple of hours, and while we managed to salvage about half of the cabinets intact, the rest had to be carefully disassembled into boards. This allowed us to preserve as much of the original material as possible, ensuring it could be repurposed for future projects. Although some pieces couldn’t remain whole, they are still valuable as reclaimed wood, ready to be transformed into something new while retaining their historic charm.

We take pride in being part of efforts like this, where we can contribute to preserving local history and giving old materials a second life. Whether it’s architectural elements or furniture, every piece we salvage carries a story, and we’re committed to ensuring those stories continue to live on in new and meaningful ways.

Salvage Job – Old Garage in Canon City

The Job: Salvaging an Old Garage in Canon City, Colorado

We were thrilled to be contacted about this unique salvage opportunity in Canon City. The property owner was in the process of a full remodel and reached out to us with a commitment to sustainability and preserving usable materials. By working with us, they ensured that valuable pieces from their property were saved and given a second life instead of being discarded.

The garage proved to be a treasure trove of salvageable items. We carefully removed and saved several unique features, including vintage cabinets with white paint that still retained their charm. Additionally, we salvaged the roofing, siding, windows, and doors, all of which were in excellent condition. The siding, which had been well-preserved under a layer of stucco, was a particularly exciting find.

The collaboration didn’t end there. After seeing the care and effort we put into salvaging materials, the homeowner later offered us the doors and windows that had been removed from the main house. Each of these items is now part of our growing inventory, ready to be repurposed or incorporated into restoration and remodeling projects for others in the community.

At Salvage Antiques Vintage Etc., we take pride in helping property owners save valuable materials, reduce waste, and contribute to the preservation of history. Whether it’s vintage cabinetry, architectural elements, or high-quality building materials, we ensure that every item is handled with care and prepared for a new chapter.

If you’re planning a remodel or demolition and want to ensure that nothing usable goes to waste, contact us today. Together, we can save materials, preserve history, and support sustainability in every project.

Salvage Job – Old Garage in Florence

The Job: Salvaging an Old Garage with Incredible Finds

When a client approached us about removing an old, unusable garage from their property, we knew it was a perfect opportunity to save valuable materials and give them a second life. The client needed the space for future use but didn’t want the materials to go to waste. Our experienced team of three got to work, carefully dismantling the entire structure. In just a day and a half, we had completely removed the garage, leaving behind not a single nail or piece of debris.

The rewards from this salvage project were incredible. We recovered high-quality structural beams, perfect for future construction or design projects. Additionally, we salvaged beautiful barn wood with a rich, weathered patina that’s ideal for rustic furniture, wall paneling, or accent pieces. The haul also included a solid wood door, two charming barn doors, and even rare log cabin siding\u2014a standout find that will add character and history to any restoration or design project.

At Salvage Antiques Vintage Etc., we specialize in carefully dismantling and salvaging materials from old structures to preserve their value and reduce waste. Whether it’s a barn, garage, or home, we ensure that every salvageable piece is recovered and prepared for reuse.

If you’re planning a renovation, demolition, or have an old building you no longer need, let us help. Salvaging with us means preserving history, saving money, and supporting sustainable practices. Contact us today to schedule your salvage project!

Salvage Job – Garage with Workshop in Canon City

The Job: Salvaging an Old Garage with Workshop – A Treasure Trove of Reclaimed Materials

We were contacted by a client looking to have an old metal-sided and roofed garage with an attached workshop removed from their property. As salvage experts, we saw this as a fantastic opportunity to preserve valuable materials while clearing the space for the property owner. This particular structure had several layers of history to uncover, including beautiful barn wood hidden beneath some of the metal siding, sturdy structural beams, and a variety of other unique finds.

The project wasn’t without its challenges. With snow, ice, and a seemingly endless supply of nails to contend with, the job required multiple trips to complete safely and efficiently. Despite the hurdles, our team carefully dismantled the structure piece by piece, ensuring that as much as possible was preserved for reuse.

The rewards from this project were well worth the effort. We salvaged two types of corrugated metal, durable roofing metal, and stunning barn wood with plenty of character. The large structural beams were another standout find, perfect for use in future construction, design projects, or restoration efforts. These materials, rich in history and quality, will now have a second life instead of ending up in a landfill.

At Salvage Antiques Vintage Etc., we specialize in turning old buildings into treasure troves of reclaimed materials. Whether it’s barn wood, corrugated metal, or structural beams, we work to preserve and repurpose every valuable element. If you have an old building you need removed, let us help you salvage its hidden potential. Contact us today to learn more about our sustainable salvage services!

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