Historic Homes Tour Feature: 117 N. McKinley St. - The Moore House

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c.1922
117 N McKinley St.
The Moore House
Owner: Michele Faris
Style: Craftsman

The Moore House at 117 N McKinley Street is a charming Craftsman bungalow. The Craftsman style was a reaction to the elaborate and manufactured Victorian houses. Homes in the Craftsman style were typically one story, with low pitched roofs, and exposed rafter tails. Inside, the emphasis was on wood floors, hand-carved details, and a more casual living space.

Built about 1922, it is a front gable form with stucco finish and an open porch. It is a modest size, with two bedrooms upstairs, and full finished basement. Inside, there is a stylish mix of original features with modern sympathetic renovations. Although there have been dramatic changes to the kitchen and basement, the home retains the warmth and light typical of the Craftsman style.

The Moore house was built about 1922 by Ellis and Ella Moore. The 1922 City of Fort Collins Directory lists Mr. Moore’s job as “lab”, presumably laboratory technician, perhaps at Colorado Agricultural College (later known as Colorado State University). By 1925, the owners were Ernest and Grace Long. Ernest Long worked as a mechanic at the Reese Garage. In the 2020s, the neighborhood near City Park may be considered expensive and desirable, but in the 1920s, it was a working-class neighborhood with inexpensive homes. Many houses had only two bedrooms and one bathroom for families of 4 – 6 people. From the 1940s to the early 2000s, The Moore House had only a handful of owners, and the current owner in 2010.

The original layout for the home was a living room, dining room, small kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Although small in size, it has some lovely design elements. The doors and windows all have an angular, arched header over them. Later owners repeated this motif on new doors. Although the south wall of living room has two small, high symmetrical windows centered on it, it never had a fireplace. The current owner added one, which fits right in. Other recent renovations include a bright, efficient kitchen with traditional cupboards and white tiles, and a finished basement with large craft room, family room, and guest room with full bathroom. The home is furnished with a mix of antique and modern pieces, beautiful colors and quirky sense of style.

Robin Stitzel