This Week in Aspen History

“Next Wednesday popular Ed Wilson will throw open to the public his new resort, to be known as the ‘Silver Club,'” proclaimed the Aspen Daily Times on Oct. 11, 1896.

“There has been no more popular or well conducted club and bar in all Colorado, or in the West, for that matter, than the old Aspen club, by Maroney & Wilson, at the corner of Cooper avenue and Mill street. The firm of Maroney & Wilson having dissolved, Ed Wilson has fitted up the old Branch saloon, on Cooper avenue, and rechristened it the Silver Club. The Silver Club is one of the best located houses in the town, and in the palmy days of Aspen it was the best patronized resort in the city. From top to bottom Mr. Wilson has [gone] through the building and with a force of workmen and furnishers has had the place completely renovated and refitted. Directly beneath the bar has been built a double decked room twelve by fifteen feet with double partitions cork and zinc lined. In the upper compartment will be storage room for ten tons of ice. In the lower compartment will be stored beer, ale and porter in barrels and casks, imported ales, beers, wines, etc., in cases. It will be fitted with hydraulic cold pressure pipes and be connected direct with the work board of the bar on the main floor above and within a space of ten inches the bar tenders will have silver plated faucets for beer, ale and porter which will come forth as fresh and cold as if direct from the ice vaults of the brew house. On the main floor and the one which the public will see the most of is located the bar, reading rooms, billiard and club. On the second floor and in the front will be located a telegraph office with direct wire connection with all parts of the world. To sum it all up Ed Wilson has determined to make the Silver Club a gentleman’s resort- more popular, more attractive and bigger and better than any like resort on the Western Slope and equal to any in Denver or other cities. To that end guests and patrons will be royally received and royally treated. They will be made to feel at home and that the best only is good enough.”

By: The Aspen Times I October 12, 2024