New life has recently sprung in one of Rifle’s oldest and most historic buildings with its recent transformation to an art gallery. For most of its life the single story brick building was known as a pharmacy where locals could purchase anything from prescription remedies, fine Havana cigars and photo supplies and dime store candies. Of particular note the store featured a fine soda fountain and serving bar where children had their first taste of soft serve ice cream.
Originally, a two story brick structure with a basement was built on the site by F. W. Leyner who opened his store City Pharmacy. The original building was constructed in 1898, but the life of the original two story building was short lived. On the evening of May 3, 1902 fire broke out in the J.W. Hugus store directly across Railroad Avenue where the Flintlock Building is located today.
Initially City Pharmacy’s brick structure withstood the heat and flames until the wooden building on its south side caught fire. Two entire blocks of businesses were lost that night between 2nd and 3rd Streets on both sides of Railroad Avenue.
Arriving in Rifle about this time was J.E. “Jess” Stauffer and his wife, Almeda. The Stauffer’s were both described as recent graduates of the Kansas University School of Pharmacy who were married in 1901. After the fire they purchased the assets of City Pharmacy from F.W. Leyner which pretty much consisted of a pile of bricks and a whole in the ground. The Stauffer’s rebuilt the pharmacy on its original footprint before the end of 1902, this time as a single story building with the basement.
Timberline Sporting Goods was established in 1982 and occupied the site with a popular selection of sporting goods and firearms. The store was popular with locals and hunters who came to Rifle to hunt its renowned elk herd.
Ten years ago the Midland Arts Company began with five local artist/partners as a venue for local artists to sell the products of their creativity. When the ‘Timberline Building’ became available, Lindsey and Mike Johnson decided to renovate the store, and restore it they did! “In ten weeks we were able to accomplish our goal. We replaced the ancient heating, a/c, plumbing and electrical. We installed gallery lighting and replaced the windows. It took two full weeks to tear down the wood paneling and refurbish the original brick wall. It’s the highlight of our space,” said Johnson. When the Stauffer’s rebuilt after the 1902 fire they used many of the same bricks from the original building. Some of these blackened bricks can still be seen as a reminder to the building’s past.
