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Preserving the Cultural History of the Hunter Creek Valley
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The mission of the Hunter Creek Historical Foundation is to stabilize and preserve historic resources in the Hunter Creek Valley to enhance the public’s awareness, enjoyment and stewardship of the valley for future generations.
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 Miners Cabin
The Shop
The Roadhouse
The Dam Keepers Cabin
A Historic Legacy
The Adelaide Ranch, circa 1895 (photo courtesy of Aspen Historical Society)
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— HOW YOU CAN HELP —
Community Support
For a legacy of preservation
Please support us in our efforts 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 enjoyment of this beautiful valley.
“Working with the Forest Service, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails has installed a series of interpretive panels in the Hunter Creek valley to help folks learn about its history. However, the 100+ year old cabins have not received such attention and time has not been kind to them. They are in need of significant stabilization and preservation due to the weathering effects of nature coupled with vandalism and graffiti; however, both the Forest Service and Open Space and Trails have limits on how their existing funding can be used. The Hunter Creek Historical Foundation is stepping into this role and looks forward to broad community support.”
— Gary Tennenbaum, Director, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails