The Quiet Years: 1893-1936

Following the 1893 repeal of the Sherman Silver Act, Aspen’s boom turns to relative bust. This period, known locally as the “Quiet Years,” is characterized by many hardships, regionally, nationally and globally. Ranchers and farmers make up the bulk of the Depression-era population, many of whom were European immigrants who came to work on significant infrastructure projects.

1893
Aspen reaches a peak population of 10,000 to 16,000. Congress repeals the Sherman Silver Act, demonetizing silver. Following the Silver Panic, Aspen’s population declines sharply and the main economy shifts to ranching. Women’s Suffrage in Colorado is enacted by popular vote.

1894
A 2,350 lb. silver nugget is mined from the Smuggler. A few mines reopen on a limited basis, many are leased to local mining families. Overall silver production is less than half that of 1892.

1895
Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph builds a phone line over Independence Pass, connecting Aspen to the outside world for the first time.

1899
Street car line to be torn up on Main St.

1901
Jerome B. Wheeler declares bankruptcy.

1903
Salvation Ditch is constructed.

1906
The first Pitkin County Fair is held at the racetrack where Aspen Meadows is today.

1908
Telephone lines extended to areas including Snow Mass divide and Brush Creek residents

1910
Hallam Lake is sold to DRC Brown. De-watering of the flooded Smuggler, Molly Gibson and Free Silver mines begins.

1912
Two fires, within 9 days, gut the Wheeler Opera House.

1913
The Isis Theater opens.

1917
Mining continues on a limited basis as the town becomes a supply center for local farmers and ranchers. Potatoes become the cash crop in the valley.

1918
The “Glory Hole” is created when the Durant Flume was turned into a City ditch and the increased water flow caused a sink hole. Colorado Midland Railroad goes bankrupt and operations cease. Flu epidemic forces closure of most of the town.

1920
Rio Grande RR experiencing many accidents and delays. The Colorado Midland RR returns to Aspen only to dismantle the line.

1924
Independence Pass Highway that began in 1911 is officially completed.

1926
The Aspen Smelting Company suspends operations.

1930
D.R.C. Brown, Sr., one of the original founders of Aspen, is escorted from Denver over Independence Pass and laid to rest in Aspen.

1936
Highland Bavarian Lodge on Castle Creek opens in December; one of first guests is Andre Roch, an avalanche expert from Switzerland contracted to survey the Aspen/Ashcroft area for the proposed ski operations during the winter/spring.