COME TO LIFE | Old West History ASHCROFT GHOST TOWN 52 1-800-COLORADO MATT LANCASTER. For every Gold Rush town that survived, there’s a once-booming settlement that went bust, leaving just a ghost of itself behind. Exploring these ghost towns gives you an amazing glimpse into the era. The Aspen Historical Society hosts tours of the ghost town of Independence , which sits near 11,000 feet on Independence Pass and was abandoned by miners in 1899. Southeast of Walden , Teller City was a silver-mining camp that boomed in the early 1880s but was busted by 1902. You can take a three-quarter-mile loop trail through the scattered cabin remains and artifacts. COLORADO.com/GhostTowns Colorado is home to a variety of museums that provide immersive Wild West learning experiences. History Colorado Center in Denver has an incredible collection of artifacts dating back to Colorado’s earliest days, as well as diverse rotating exhibitions. At the Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center , visitors can explore life in an 1800s Army fort, including five original adobe buildings. Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site near La Junta features a reconstructed 1840s adobe trading post where historians recreate the past with tours, demonstrations and special events. COLORADO.com/Museums Another great way to partake in Wild West culture is to dress the part. Cowboy boots are always in style here, and there are lots of places you can get your own pair, along with other Western-apparel staples. In Steamboat Springs , stop by F.M. Light & Sons , a family-owned outfitter that’s been in business since 1905. Or shop at historic Goodman’s Department Store in Pagosa Springs , established in 1899. If you’re in the market for a classic Western shirt, Rockmount Ranch Wear in Denver is a must. They invented the snap-button style and have dressed the likes of Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt. COLORADO.com/WesternWear
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2022: Page 52
