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Redstone is a 19th-century historic gem, hidden in the dense aspen and blue spruce of the White River National Forest. The town of 92 people is located on the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway (Colorado Highway 133), the doorstep of the Snowmass/Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. In 2008 it was designated as a Preserve America Community. The Crystal River flows through the village founded in 1901 by coal and steel baron John Cleveland Osgood to house the men (and their families) who worked the Redstone coke ovens. These "cokers" turned Coal Basin's high-grade metallurgical coal into the coke which fired the blast furnaces that helped build America.
In order to improve the living conditions of the miners and as a social and industrial experiment, Osgood constructed 84 Swiss Chalet-style homes to house miners with families. He also built an elegant 20-room inn for his bachelor employees, who lived amongst the West's largest collection of furniture by (the then unknown) Gustav Stickley. Both the Redstone Inn and the Redstone Coke Ovens are on the National Register of Historic Places.
John C. Osgood, in 1903 the sixth richest man in America, had created an empire of 36,000 employees and families in 3 states, including three railroads and the Colorado Fuel & Iron (CF&I) steel mill in Pueblo. In Redstone he built his palatial estate for the princely sum of $2.3 million. It still boasts a red marble fireplace from China, Tiffany chandeliers, and tooled leather wallpaper. The Castle, as it's known locally, and the town had their own hydroelectric plant, electricity and lights. The Castle is also on the National Register and is open for seasonal tours Friday-Monday at 1:30pm. Tickets are available at the General Store, Tiffany's and The Crystal Café.
When visiting Redstone, be sure to see its museum in the public park to learn more about the town's history. Redstone is an artists' community boasting several galleries; the park has many fine examples of sculptures carved from purest white stone, quarried from nearby Marble. On summer Saturday nights, enjoy the Summer Concert Series with open air music that's free and open to the public. The 4th of July brings out the community for games and a parade with floats, fire engines and children riding decorated bikes. Another annual event is the Labor Day Art Show. This 4-day extravaganza of fine art and crafts is held under a tent on the grounds of the Redstone Inn and is open to the public. Finally, one of Redstone's unheralded attractions is a blazing night sky where, far from city lights, you can see the Milky Way. Night or day, summer and winter, Redstone is a jewel not to be missed.
FUN FACTS TO KNOW AND TELL
The Steelworks Museum, another 2008 Explore Colorado destination, is housed at the former C F & I mill, where coke made by Redstone residents was used to make steel.
While he doesn't have the name recognition of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., John C. Osgood was considered one of the leading industrialists of his day and befriended president Teddy Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan. Osgood lost control of CF&I to John D. Rockefeller in 1903.
The quarry at nearby Marble was the source of stone for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT
Downtown Glenwood Springs
Downtown Carbondale
Marble
BEST TIMES TO VISIT
High Country Spring Flowers
Carefree Summer
Fiery Autumn
Sled Dog Winter
• Redstone Sled Dog Races, January 10-11, 2009, Chair Mountain Stables
BYWAYS
West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway
OTHER WEBSITES
www.avalancheranch.com
www.redstoneinn.com
www.alpine-riverlodging.com
www.preserveamerica.gov
www.crystaldreamsgetaway.com
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