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NE CO Historic Photobook Blog
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Writer's pictureCindy Kipp

Salon Style Pampering of the 1900's

Updated: Oct 6, 2021



When you went to the local barber shop in a northeastern Colorado town you most likely knew that you were going to get much more than a hair cut and a shave. The whole deal included the new daily news on the street (more like gossip). With two barbers and two customers ( photo above) at one time... you might say that things were buzzing!


Conversation and a hair trim!

Did you Know......................

.....that a barber in the late 1800's, early 1900's could be excepted to act as a surgeon, a dentist or even to preform religious or marriage ceremonies? And the famous red and white pole that was displayed in front of the shop was a symbol referring to a time when barbers were expected to engage in bloodletting to heal people. The red ribbon was for blood and the white ribbon represented the bandage for healing.


The famous red and white pole stood until 1998!

Bill Garrett's first barber license, May 1909

In addition to Haxtun, surrounding town of Sterling Colorado also had a barber shop in the early 1900's, owned by Bert Brown on the 100 block of Main Street.

And while the owner of this shop in Haxtun Colorado in 1919, may not of had all these jobs titles on his resume, we are assured that he was a respected and dedicated man of the community and loving his job for many years.

The building still stands on Colorado Ave, in Haxtun Co. and a seamstress operates her business there.


From the Wilbur Kipp collection (Haxtun) and Overland Trail Museum in Sterling Co.

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3 Comments


Ron Shipman
Ron Shipman
Mar 11, 2019

I Really like See and Read This type of History. Always liked History in and about the area I live in.


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Trilla Lindon Bornhoft
Trilla Lindon Bornhoft
Mar 11, 2019

I also learned that if you were of the female gender it was a good idea to knock before you went in. Sometimes the conversation had to be altered a little. There are so many stories that are associated with this shop. More with my Uncle Dean, he was the mischievous one. I am not saying that Grandpa Bill was, maybe in his younger years, but not in my memory. I think I have been told that the gentleman in the chair in the single picture is his brother. There are so many times that I wish I had written down some of the things I have been told. Hindsight. Cindy thanks so much for doing this project.

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trillamae
Dec 12, 2018

Cindy thank you so much for all of the great photos you are have shared. Some I remember and so I remember being told about. The one of my Grandpa Bill and Uncle Dean's barber shop warmed my heart but also brought tears to my eyes as it brought forward so many many memories.

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