Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/67357
silver strike The Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum tells the story of town's unique mining history. Aspen is known for its natural beauty, its well-heeled visitors, and an average of 300 days of sunshine annually. Town was perhaps most fortunate in 1894, however, when the largest recorded pure silver nugget— reportedly weighing between 1,840 and 2,350 pounds—was extracted from the Smuggler Mine. The nugget had to be broken into three pieces to be maneuvered through the mine shaft. Today our mining history permeates town culture, and nowhere is this better celebrated than at the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum, operated by the Aspen Historical Society. Located near the entrance to town, just over the bridge from Music School Lane, this beautiful historic barn houses Aspen's storied silver and ranching heritage. "In 1892, when Aspen was the largest silver producer in the United States, Holden Lixiviation Works, with its state-of-the-art technology, was a symbol of the country's industrial might," says AHS marketing and development manager Christine Benedetti. "After the price of silver crashed, the site was used by ranchers and epitomized what have come to be known as the Quiet Years." In 1940 longtime Aspen local Mike Marolt bought the property as a family ranch for just $1. Today the unique site serves as a festive event and wedding venue, and AHS historians lead tours from June 14 through October 8. aspenhistorysociety.com High-gloss silk vest ($1,298) and trousers ($1,398), Ralph Lauren. 501 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-5147; ralphlauren.com. Coil bracelet, Tiffany & Co. ($1,200). Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Denver, 303-322-4747; tiffany.com Hair and Makeup by Anetta Klemens using Benefit Cosmetics Model: Elyse Taylor at Ford NY Special thanks to Christine Benedetti and the Aspen Historical Society, Charley Case and Annabelle Inn, and Chris Preusch with Smuggler Mine