Water in the Age of Silver: Touring Aspen’s “Holden Works”

Photo | Aspen Historical Society

Offered by Roaring Fork Conservancy in partnership with Aspen Historical Society and City of Aspen Parks & Open Space

Discover the largest industrial site in the history of Pitkin County: a then-state-of-the-art silver processing plant known as the Holden Lixiviation Works. Built on the banks of Castle Creek in 1891 by Edward Royal Holden, the plant led to innovative and sometimes destructive uses of water resources for hydropower and waste disposal. Explore the history, the museum, and the remnants of the “Works” (including the reconstructed flume and cable derrick) to learn how one of our most precious resources, freshwater, was utilized in a different era. We’ll also examine the effects of time on the riparian area along Castle Creek.

Dress appropriately as this event will happen rain or shine.

Please call Roaring Fork Conservancy at 970.927.1290 with questions.