Minnequa Steel Works Office Building and Dispensary, Colorado Fuel and Iron Company facts for kids
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Minnequa Steel Works Office Building and Dispensary, Colorado Fuel and Iron Company
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| Location | 215 and 225 Canal St., Pueblo, Colorado |
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| Built | 1901, 1902, addition 1922 |
| Architect | Stickney, William W., Frederick Sterner |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000628, 100006242 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 6, 2002 |
| Designated NHL | January 13, 2021 |
The Minnequa Steel Works Office Building and Dispensary are two important historical buildings in Pueblo, Colorado. These buildings were once the heart of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company (CF&I), a very large company. Today, they help tell the story of industry and work in Colorado.
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The Story of the CF&I Buildings
The Minnequa Steel Works buildings played a big role in the history of Pueblo. They were built over a hundred years ago. These buildings helped run one of the biggest steel companies in the country.
The Main Office Building
The main office building was finished in 1901. It was the main office, or headquarters, for the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. Many important jobs happened here every day.
- People handled money and payments.
- Engineers planned new projects.
- Other staff managed the company's daily business.
This building was used as the company's main office until the early 1990s.
The Medical Dispensary Building
The medical dispensary building opened in 1902. It was like a small hospital or clinic for the company's workers. Workers could go there for minor injuries or if they felt sick.
How the Dispensary Helped Workers
The dispensary was designed in a Spanish Mission style. It had six rooms for different needs:
- A waiting room for patients.
- A room for medicines.
- Rooms for doctors to see patients and perform small surgeries.
- Storage rooms.
- Even sleeping and office areas for the doctors.
In 1902, the company had more than 5,000 employees. The dispensary helped about 75 people every day! As the company grew, the medical staff also started treating the families of the workers. This building served as a medical clinic until the early 1990s. Later, it also became the personnel office.
A National Historic Landmark
These buildings are very important to American history. They have been recognized in several ways:
- In 2002, they were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- In 2008, their importance was recognized at a national level.
- In 2021, they were named a National Historic Landmark. This means they are among the most important historical places in the United States.
The Steelworks Museum Today
The Minnequa Steel Works buildings are now owned by the Steelworks Center of the West. They are being used to teach people about history.
- The medical dispensary building is now home to the Steelworks Museum of Industry and Culture.
- The museum opened its doors on January 19, 2007.
What You Can See at the Museum
The Steelworks Museum has many interesting exhibits. They show how important the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company was to the region.
- You can learn about local coal mining.
- Discover how steel was made.
- See the history of railroads.
- Understand the story of workers and labor.
In the future, the main office building will also become part of the Steelworks Museum. This will allow even more history to be shared.
