Aspen’s Heritage Homes: A Walk Through History
Situated along the Roaring Fork River, Aspen is one of the world's most iconic recreational and cultural hubs. But the county city of Pitkin County was not always a haven of luxurious living. Aspen was founded in 1879 by Henry B. Gillespie as a small mining camp. It struggled through the 1893 silver crash to become a top destination for tourists, celebrities, and homeowners. If you are considering an Aspen home, here is what you should know about the town’s architectural and cultural history.
Aspen the Mining Camp
Before the mining boom of the 1870s, the Roaring Fork Valley was the ancestral home and summer hunting grounds of the Ute people. The mining boom saw white settlers move to these slopes with rich silver deposits and set up mines. The town was successful for a while until the 18...