So, I'm a bit of a history nerd. Had I not gone with communications, I probably would have pursued a degree in history, or become an antique dealer/junk hoarder or something.

I don't know where my love for the past comes from, but my entire life I've been dubbed an 'old soul.' I'm such a sucker for Mad Men marathons, cat-eye eyeliner and cars with fins on the back. The mid-century era has my heart, which is why it totally melted when I came across a vintage postcard showing what the main drag of College Ave. in downtown Fort Collin used to look like.

Credit: Vintage Postcard (unknown)
Credit: Vintage Postcard (unknown)
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This photo was, I assume, taken on the corner of College Ave. and E. Olive St., facing north, where JeJu Sushi is now.

The first of many things that caught my eye in this photo is the old Aggie signage. We're at the Aggie pretty often for shows (Bear Hands and Atlas Genius next week, anyone?!). Please note that Dean Martin's name is on the marquee. Dean Martin was at the Aggie, people. *Grandma faints*

I'm just going to be blunt and say that building appears to have packed a lot more charm back in the day. Today, it's kind of a barren brick box with show posters taped in the windows. This also piques my interest of what the interior was like, because the Aggie I know is an all-black room with a sticky floor. Now, I expect the soles of my shoes to turn into fly paper at any respectable venue, but I just imagine Dean Martin in something a little more... I don't know, swanky?

So what happened to all the kitschy signs that used to guide you to the laundromat or the local cafeThe Coloradoan explains it here.

Shelby Taylor-Thorn/TSM
Shelby Taylor-Thorn/TSM
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One thing in this postcard image that still remains kind of the same is the old art deco Northern Hotel, which is probably my favorite place to hang out and drink a Starbucks in Old Town. And, new businesses like the Downtown Artery are giving their exteriors a look reminiscent of our old Old Town.

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