The Bowman Block, actually made up of three separate buildings, is the only remaining structure of several built by Frank LaFave, one of Aspen’s pioneers. Built during the summer of 1888, it opened with a restaurant downstairs and rooms for rent on the second story. In the 1950s, despite its state of disrepair, architect Fritz Benedict rented out the small apartments to music students and ski bums. Stein Eriksen acquired the property in the early ’70s for a ski shop which was operated there until the1980s.

< The Bowman Block, 2000. © Ann Hodges photo