Crystal Mill
The surrounding area is rich in history and scenery, and is visited by
thousands of people every year. There are hundreds of abandoned
mines, standing as reminders of the mining heritage. Hiking
trails branch in all directions from Marble, and during the summer
months the high alpine meadows are alive with wildflowers.
One of the most scenic and reputed to be the most photographed site in
Colorado is the Crystal Mill. The lush mountain setting surrounds
the mill, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the Crystal
River. The Town of Crystal is 0.2 mile beyond the mill.
About 400 people lived in the town by 1886 with seven working silver
mines. Crystal had two newspapers, two hotels, saloons, billiard
parlor, barber shop, and men's-only Crystal Club.
The 'Old Mill at Crystal' was actually not a mill at all, but a power
generating station. The mill powered a mechanical air compressor
for use in ore processing. Crystal Mill had a horizontal water
wheel, which turned a vertical shaft that ran up through the housing
now held together by cables. It turned an air compressor that was
used to operate the air drills for at least two of the local mines on
the hill above the mill. Today, Crystal Mill stands as an icon to
Colorado – a reminder of its mining roots and the raw beauty of nature.
Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum
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The Holden/Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum is located in Aspen,
Colorado. The museum is newly opened and offers guided and
self-guided tours to explore mining and ranching artifacts and other
displays. The Aspen Historical Society manages the Holden/Marolt
Mining and Ranching Museum in efforts to preserve the rich history of
the town's short-lived silver boom as well as its ranching history.
Aspen's Holden/Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum is located on the site
of the 1891 Holden Lixiviation Mill on the western edge of town.
The Holden Lixiviation Mill sprawled over 22 acres boasting state of
the art technology and industrial design. Just 14 months after
the new plant opened, Congress demonetized silver and the mill went
bankrupt. Mike Marolt purchased the property for a dollar in 1940
as a family ranch. This site is unique as it tells the stories of
both Aspen's mining and ranching heritage.
The Marolts raised sheep and cattle and planted potatoes. By the
late 1950's, the Marolts started selling off parcels of their land due
to decreasing Forest service grazing acreage, financial strains of
their children's college educations, and Mike Marolt's deteriorating
health.
The Holden site, once a symbol of Aspen's industrial might, became the
symbol of a vanishing ranching economy as the skiing industry moved in
and economized Aspen. Hats off to the Aspen Historical
Society! They have blended the two great histories of this
mountain town at the ideal site for future generations to appreciate.
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