Independence Ghost Town
Independence Ghost Town was a booming mining town of the 1880s.
Located at over 10,900 feet, this town had no great future, as the
winters were too difficult at this high of altitude. But as with
most Colorado high mountain towns, the mining brought investors, quick
growth, and just as quickly – a bust.
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The first town in Aspen County was discovered on Independence Day, July
4, 1879. Legend has it that prospectors found a lode mine and
named it Independence, located at 10,900 feet. A tent city sprung
up that summer, and by 1880 there were 300 people living in the camp.
By 1882, the Town of Independence had over 40 businesses with three
post offices and an estimated population of 1,500. Typical of
mining boomtowns, the bust soon followed. Miners were lured away
from Independence by the abundant work, good pay and milder climate of
Aspen.
Although mining at Independence proved to be short lived, over $190,000
worth of gold was produced between 1881 and 1882. In 1883 the
production dropped to $2,000. By 1888, only 100 citizens remained
in the high mountain town.
During the winter of 1899 the worst storm in Colorado's history cut off
the supply routes to Independence. The remaining miners, who were
running out of food, proceeded to dismantle their homes to make 75
pairs of skis and escape en masse to Aspen. The Town of
Independence became a Ghost Town.
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