Get Lost In A Mysterious Colorado Ghost Town Full Of History And Ruins

Driving along the winding road of Independence Pass in Colorado, travelers can unearth a historical site: the foundations of what once was a booming mining town. Unfortunately for paranormal hunters, nothing untoward has yet been recorded in this ghost town, only the remnants of time left behind by dreamers past. Like most ghost towns scattered around the U.S., Independence, Colorado, was built as quickly as it was left to the elements.

 A mere 16 miles east of Aspen, this mysterious small town was established in 1879 after prospectors looking to strike it rich discovered gold near Roaring Fork River. The discovery happened to take place on July 4th, and so the name Independence stuck. In an otherwise silver-rich region, with the discovery of gold, Independence soon became the first successful mining camp in Roaring Fork Valley. A ghost town since the 1920s, only a few buildings from a once bustling town have been left behind. Visitors to the Independence of today will find remnants of a small town packed with history, and the unique opportunity to explore a bit of Colorado that once was.   

In 1879 a group of Leadville, Colorado entrepreneurs created the Farwell Consolidated Mining Company. In 1880 they built a stamp mill in Independence, which according to Uncover Colorado, manufactured around $190,000 in gold by 1882  – nearly $6 million when adjusted for inflation. With such success came a boom in population, housing, and development. What began as a small tent camp of prospectors soon transpired into a town of over 1,500 people. There were numerous businesses to accommodate the residents — including post offices, grocery stores, boarding houses, a bank, saloons, and even a town newspaper.  At its peak in 1882, a toll road opened over Independence Pass, allowing easier access for those traveling between Leadville and Aspen. With the population and development boom, Independence seemed like a town that would last through the ages.

 Unfortunately, by 1883, only a year after their prosperous boom, Farwell closed its mines and mills due to a decline in gold production. Miners living in Independence decided to pack up and move to greener pastures in Aspen, where more silver mines had been discovered. With the railroad's arrival in Aspen in 1887, many decided to leave Independence and take their businesses with them. By 1900 hardly anyone was living in the town. 

Those who have visited Colorado during the winter know just how harsh the elements can be, and unfortunately for those who stayed behind in Independence, snow storms ravaged the area in 1899, leaving the town without supplies, and forcing residents to leave by ski. According to a piece written for the  Aspen Historical Society, the miners "proceeded to dismantle their homes to make 75 pairs of skis and to escape en masse to Aspen." Talk about a wild adventure! Some sources say a final resident, J.R. Williams, lived in the town until the 1920s, but it has since remained a ghost town.

Today, only traces of this once-booming mining town remain. Sadly, many of Independence's buildings and artifacts have been lost to time, weather, and looting, so some imagination may be necessary upon visiting. Although it had been left to the elements, this isn't to say there weren't those in Colorado who cared about restoring the town. In 1980, local preservationist Ramona Markalunas gathered help from the Aspen Historical Society among other volunteer groups in an attempt to restore the town's remaining buildings. In 2007 the Aspen Historical Society was granted a State Historical Fund to aid with the development and preservation of the site. Since its restoration, interpretive signs and trails have been added to the area, to preserve history. Located below the Continental Divide, Independence is listed (by the Aspen Historical Society) as a "don't miss stop" on the Independence Pass. 

While a few visitors via Trip Advisor have said the area is a bit sparse and should be combined with neighboring hikes, most have said the views alone are worth the visit. Visitors can access Independence via Highway 82 from Memorial Day to early November. Independence Pass typically remains closed in winter due to dangerous weather conditions. A parking lot and trail are available for easy access to the town, and if solo visits are not your thing, the Aspen Historical Society occasionally offers guided tours during summer. There is a suggested donation of $5.00, while children 12 and under are free. Whether interested in nature, history, or the Old West, this little piece of Colorado is worth the trip.