Circa 1960’s

In the 1960’s the Aspen Elk’s Lodge was a different animal from the 3^rd Floor gem that it is today.  Back then the lodge was located on the first floor of its current location, where the Hard Rock Café was located.

The entrance was about a half dozen steps up from the sidewalk.  It was a non-descript black door with some small windows that only a giant could look through, or at least not the children.  Getting in was just a “buzzer” away.  Once inside the place would remind you of any “Gin Joint” or “Speak Easy” that Hollywood had ever depicted.  It was in a cramped quarters for sure.  The old bar ran half the length of the club with the pool tables located in the basement and the lodge  and bar were on the second floor until Eddie’s moved out.   The first floor of the building was home to Eddie’s Restaurant originally.  The front half of the building had been home to the Post Office for decades and after it moved out, Tom’s Market, owned by Kurt and Trudy Baar took over that space.  Also in the building on the first floor, closer to the alley where the elevators are now was Page’s Market.

Above the bar was a collection of “half burned out” neon signs, blinking to the cadence of the surrounding conversations.  Much like any small town bar, stories of loss, tales of epic adventures and life’s little challenges were told and retold to anyone willing to listen.  This was the place to go to unwind, visit with friends and forget your troubles.  Kids were rarely welcome and those that did make it in were relegated to the tables, never at the bar.

The place was always filled with smoke almost like it was put there on purpose.  This was the place for locals and no Hollywood riff-raff dared cross the threshold.  The Lodge was one of two clubs in Aspen at the time, the other being the Eagles.  During the 60’s, the Eagles were located in the building later purchased by Andre for his nightclub as well as the ill-fated Planet Hollywood.  Their close proximity made it easy to hit one or both clubs in the same evening.  From the inside it would be easy to forget which one you had entered.  If you were looking for your parents back then or a missing spouse, it made the search pretty easy.

As it is today, the lodge was very active in the local community and gave out scholarships every year.  Their summer picnic up Castle Creek was the highlight of each summer.  Friends and family members who had moved “down valley” and beyond never missed this opportunity to get together and reminisce.  Over time the location of the picnic moved to other locations but the gathering was always a hit.

The Elks have moved upstairs now and the lodge is still a favorite gathering spot for the local workers and their guests as is the Eagles Aerie which is now located down behind the Concept 600 Building on Spring Street.  Both clubs have successfully purchased the buildings they are located within.  For the Elks members’ parking remains an issue today like it has for decades.

I am a 4^th generation member of the Elk’s Lodge in Aspen which is something I am quite proud.