Basalt (Images of America)

Once the site of a Ute Indian settlement, Basalt began life as several sleepy little hamlets. From the original Frying Pan Junction and later Aspen Junction, the town of Basalt is comprised of five areas. In the early 20th century, located midway between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Basalt became the heart of the valley’s mining, ranching, and farming operations as pioneering families homesteaded the land. Many hoped to build their fortunes along the tracks of the Denver & Rio Grande Western and Colorado Midland Railroads, whose rail lines merged in the center of today’s downtown area. As the silver-mining era passed into history and the railroad operations ceased, so did the fortunes of early Basalt. Today’s Basalt is a vibrant and vital residential and commercial community located on the confluence of two world-class Gold Medal fishing rivers.