History of Aspen
Aspen has a unique history, from a silver mining town to an international skiing destination.
Aspen has a unique history, from a silver mining town to an international skiing destination.
Originally named Ute City, Aspen was built as a mining town in the mid-1800s and was renamed in 1880 after the abundance of aspen trees in the area. The first inhabitants of Aspen were a group of headstrong miners who, in 1879, ignored the pleas of Governor Frederick Pitkin to return across the Continental Divide due to an uprising of the Ute Indians.
Silver was discovered soon after Aspen was founded, and by 1891 it was considered the largest silver mining district in the United States. What was once a small mountain town of 300 residents had exploded into a busy populous of 12,000 people, six newspapers, two theaters, an opera house, and a small brothel district.
Between 1891 and 1893, Aspen reached its peak both in terms of riches and people, but the good times weren’t meant to last. In 1893 the Sherman Silver Act was repealed which demonetized silver, with significant repercussions for the town’s economy.
Aspen almost became a ghost town as most of the mines closed, thus putting thousands of people out of work. A few remained open, but wages were cut, and by 1930 only 705 people chose to stay. Ironically, one year after the Sherman Act was repealed, one of the largest nuggets of silver ever mined was pulled from the Smuggler mine, weighing in at 2,350 pounds!
Following World War II, Aspen was revitalized when the visionary Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke arrived. In 1946, Paepcke and Friedl Pfeifer, a member of the 10th Mountain Division, started the Aspen Sking Co, thus transforming the town into what would become an international resort destination. In 1950, Paepcke also started the Aspen Institute, driven by his desire to have a “utopian community for the mind and body.
Today, Aspen offers three additional ski areas, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass, and has become a year-round destination for recreation, arts, and businesses alike.
7,019 people live in History of Aspen, where the median age is 41.2 and the average individual income is $90,567. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around History of Aspen, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Misstyx, Mark Richards of Aspen, and Ski Butlers.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopping | 1.01 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1.13 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1.95 miles | 19 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1 miles | 14 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1.23 miles | 16 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.85 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.02 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.38 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.22 miles | 14 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.53 miles | 71 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.06 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.49 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.68 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.24 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.85 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.99 miles | 34 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
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History of Aspen has 3,278 households, with an average household size of 2.11. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in History of Aspen do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 7,019 people call History of Aspen home. The population density is 1,819.44 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Marital Status
Blue vs White Collar Workers
Blue Collar:
White Collar:
With over twenty five years of mountain living under her belt, Leah Davis has refined the art of living and working in Aspen. A dedicated Aspenite and a consummate real estate professional, Leah’s commitment and passion goes way beyond the deal and will truly help you find the community behind the home. Contact her today!
