Name:   VanZant-Fry House

Address:  1237 3rd Ave.

Landmark Designation: 1986

Construction Date: 1906

Architectural Style: Four Square

In 1905, Ellen VanZant purchased the property and began construction of their home in the fall of that year. Ellen VanZant's husband, Ellis H. VanZant, had come to Longmont in 1897 to become secretary-treasurer of his uncle's firm, J.H. Empson and Daughter Canning Company. In the early 1900's, he also was name sales director. In 1920 he succeeded the late J.H. Empson as president of the Empson Canning Company. In the spring of 1927, he was instrumental in bringing about the merger of Kuner Pickles and Empson Canning Company to become Kuner-Empson Cannery.

The VanZant family did not live in the house long and over the next several years the property changed hands many times.

In 1944, Noland R. and Mamie L. Fry became owners of the house. Noland and Mamie came to Longmont, bought a rooming house above the J.C. Penney Co. store, and operated Fry's Rooms for nine years. In 1930, Noland was appointed secretary of the Longmont Credit Association, which he later acquired and continued to operate in partnership with Lydia Kisler until 1972.

Mr. Fry continued his partnership with Lydia Kisler in Fry's Mimeo Shop. He was a noted commercial artist and became nationally known for his pen and ink illustrations. He was often called upon by archeologists to illustrate their findings and books on Native American artifacts.

Mr. Fry's proudest contribution to the City of Longmont was the Indian artifact collection he donated to the Longmont Pioneer Museum. The museum honored him in 1979 by naming the collection: The Noland R. Fry Gallery of Native American Artifacts.

Reference
HPC 1986-4