Back in Time: This week in Aspen history

“The danger to the ubiquitous small boy from the habit of catching on bob sleds and cutters was demonstrated yesterday afternoon on Cooper Avenue,” noted the Aspen Daily Times on Feb. 6, 1902.

“As Judge Lewis was driving along the street at a smart pace, after coming from the Koch lumber year, where he had delivered a load of saw logs, a youngster tackled the rear works of the sled and fell in between the runners and was dragged over the frozen ground for about ten years (sic — yards) before the judge noticed him and stopped his team. It is needless to say that the boy was scared. His hirsute appendage stood straight up like the bristles on the back of a wild hog — his clothes were slightly soiled from contact with the snow and dirt of the street. He looked rather demoralized and crestfallen as he emerged from under the sled, but was unhurt and was soon feeling as gay as ever and ready to tackle the next sled that came along.”

“Back in Time” is contributed by Aspen Historical Society and features excerpted articles and images from past Snowmass Sun/Aspen Times issues. We can’t rewrite history, but we can learn from it!

Aspen Historical Society actively preserves and passionately presents local history in an inspired and provocative manner that will continue to anchor the local community and its evolving character. For more, visit aspenhistory.org.