Founded by long time Roaring Fork Valley locals in 2021, this 501(C) (3) tax exempt organization seeks to preserve the remnants of Hunter Creek’s unique historic and cultural heritage as well as its remarkable biodiversity, scenic splendor, and year-round recreational opportunities, enhancing the visitors’ enjoyment of this already popular year-round destination.  

Our aim is to preserve a showcase of the important early cultural history of this valley, both for residents and visitors in our community, focusing on the W.E. Koch 1893 original homestead and Adelaide Ranch near the entrance to the Hunter Creek Valley floor.  Beginning in the 1890s, these homesteads furnished the first dairy farm, produce farm, sawmill for lumber and source of reliable fresh water and hydro power to pioneering miners and their families in the nearby townsite of Aspen.

This 60-acre site includes both pre-historic and historic components and has been identified by the Forest Service as officially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Properties. However, a lack of public funding has allowed these structures to deteriorate to a state of near oblivion, and the historic barn on the Adelaide Ranch has already been completely lost.

With the approval of the White River National Forest office, HCHF has enlisted HistoriCorps, a contractor well known for the quality of their historic preservation work and partnership with the Forest Service throughout the country. Their organization has completed hundreds of restoration projects leading to a series of regional and national historic preservation awards.

The Adelaide Ranch, circa 1895 (photo courtesy of Aspen Historical Society)