Avery House Museum
Nestled in the huge cottonwoods the home that was built and occupied by Franklin Avery sits quietly reflecting on a quieter past. During the summer the equally historic Birney Trolley Car passes out front on it's run west to City Park. The Avery House sits three blocks west of College Ave.on Mountain Ave. Frank Avery was the surveyor who laid out the wide streets of Fort Collins.

Most of us who have lived here any length of time are very glad he designed the streets the way he did. Frank Avery was also the founder of the First National Bank now with headquarters just two blocks south of the mansion. The original First National Bank was on the corner of College and Mountain just three blocks directly east of the mansion. From old town Fort Collins it is a very nice three block walk. The Avery's built the house in 1879 and made many additions to the home in the following years.  The home was built of native sandstone from the quarries just to the west of Fort Collins. As you can see from the above picture the sandstone and the house look little different than when Mr. & Mrs. Avery moved in.

The home sits on a very large lot with a beautiful landscaped lawn. It also has a carriage house in the rear of the home. The large cottonwood trees date from the time of the Avery's and are some of the best trees remaining in the entire city.

The original cost of the home was $3,000. Though it will never be sold, on today's market even without the historic value the home would bring over $1,000,000.  The home sits on a very large lot by today's standards. The home also has a carriage house, gazebo and fountain and is extremely well kept by the historical society.

The home is open to the public two days a week, Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 1-3pm.