Ashcroft, Colorado, Pitkin County is an enthralling ghost town in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Once a bustling silver mining town, Ashcroft is now a tribute to the boom-and-bust cycle that characterized the American West. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Pitkin County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 39.3747° N, 106.6978° W
Elevation: Approximately 9,521 feet (2,902 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1880
Disestablished: 1885
Comments: Ashcroft was founded as a silver mining town during the Colorado Silver Boom. At its peak, the town boasted a population of around 2,000 people, over 20 saloons, and several hotels, making it a vibrant community. However, when the silver veins ran out and the mines closed, the population rapidly dwindled.
Remains: Today, Ashcroft is preserved as a historic site, with several original structures still standing. These include two saloons, a post office, and other wooden buildings that glimpse the town’s past.
Current Status: The Aspen Historical Society manages Ashcroft, which is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the remaining buildings and learn about the town’s history through guided tours.
By 1885 there were only 100 summer residents and $5.60 in the town coffers. By the turn of the 20th century, only a handful of aging, single men lived in Ashcroft. Though they all owned mining claims they spent most of their time fishing and hunting or reading and drinking in a local bar.
The men traded stories for drinks and served as an informal employment agency, matching up men with the sporadic remaining work at the mines. Every four years the remaining citizens would hold municipal elections and choose officers from amongst themselves.
The town’s last resident, Jack Leahy, died in 1939, making Ashcroft an official ghost town.
Remarks: Ashcroft offers a captivating insight into the transient nature of boomtowns in the American West. Its well-preserved buildings and scenic mountain setting attract history enthusiasts and outdoor lovers alike, providing a unique opportunity to step back in time and imagine life during the silver mining era.
The town was renamed Ashcroft in 1882 after a rich ore strike was uncovered in Montezuma and Tam O’Shanter Mines. H.A.W. Tabor of Leadville mining fame partially owned the mines.
Reportedly, Tabor and his second wife visited Ashcroft in 1883 and hosted a grand ball and banquet. Tabor also reportedly bought rounds of drinks for everyone in each of the town’s 13 saloons.
