The Evolution of 331 Elk Ave
Crested Butte is a living landscape. It continues to grow and evolve; adapting as time passes by. Crested Butte was incorporated in 1880, but that isn’t the start of this area’s history. Evidence shows permanent dwellings and hunting operations more than 10,000 years ago; pre-dating the pyramids. The Southern Ute Tribe used the Gunnison Valley as a seasonal hunting ground. However, the Brunot Agreement of 1873 led to their forced removal, making way for mining operations. It was considered an “agreement” rather than a “treaty” because indigenous tribes lost their soverignty in 1871. Crested Butte was established seven years later and coal was king. The Colorado Fuel & Iron company controlled most of the mines in this area. Crested Butte’s coal was a necessary component to their general operations. So much so, that they built a railroad out to this isolated area.
But nothing lasts forever and coal became obsolete. Mining operations stopped in 1952 and Crested Butte was on the verge of becoming a ghost town. The only people who remained were affectionately referred to as “Old Timers”. The Malensek Ranch was sold in 1960 becoming the base area for a new ski resort. A new generation moved in, and although the cultural differences were clear, they somehow found a way to (mostly) get along. Few things can remain constant in an ever changing landscape- and this building is one of the exceptions. It’s one of the oldest standing structures here on Elk Ave. It’s operated as a commercial building for its entire history. 331 Elk has seen all the people and changes to this ever evolving landscape and it has its own story to tell.
In the begining – Discovering the Land
The Elk Mountains drew the attention of placer miners in the 1860s, who were seeking fortune in the form of gold. However, Ute activity, harsh winters, isolation and limited gold deposits dissuaded most prospectors from settling the area. Still, the prospect of natural resources matched the ambition of westward expansion. Silver deposits were discovered in the surrounding area. Corporations replaced the individual miners. Once the Ute tribe was forcibly removed in 1973, silver mines were established. Geologist Ferdinand V. Hayden set out to map the newly established Silver District and discovered significant coal deposits at the base of what is now known as Crested Butte Mountain. He published his findings in 1877, which caught the attention of Howard F. Smith, a businessman and investor in a Leadville smelting company. The following year, 1878, Smith laid out the town of Crested Butte. Although drawn to the area for its significant coal deposits, he opted to operate as a supply town in order to support the already established silver mines throughout the valley.
The Boom
Crested Butte was incorporated as a town in 1880, after mining men discovered that the coal in the valley produced “coke” – a higher carbon, hotter-burning fuel used to produce other metals like steel and iron. This caught the attention of William Palmer, part owner of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG), who had just started a new business, the Colorado Coal and Iron Company (CC&I), in Pueblo. Palmer purchased thousands of acres of land and a stake in town from Smith in order to expand his businesses. Palmer wasted little time. The first D&RG locomotive steamed its way into town November of 1881. He opened the Crested Butte Mine soon after, which would later be known as the Jokerville Mine. By 1882, Crested Butte was one of the leading producers of “coke” in the state. The population boomed from 400, to more than 1000 residents and the town touted five hotels, dozens of saloons and restaurants, three livery stables, and a church. The town continues to grow and more structures are built. A new school was constructed in 1883, which serves as the Town Hall today. Another structure went up on 4th and Elk, a blacksmith’s shop, which was owned and operated by John McCosker.
Breaking Ground
John McCosker, an Irish immigrant, was the original owner of this lot located on the corner of 4th and Elk. He was a blacksmith by trade and has been described as “a lanky, white-haired, old Irishman”. Much of what we uncovered about his story was through newspaper clippings from the Elk Mountain Pilot. We can also see how he developed this property throughout the years, using Sanborn Maps.
When McCosker opened his shop in 1883, he was the only blacksmith in town. He was a skilled craftsman, serving the growing community. The majority of first arrivals were of an Anglo-Saxon background, traveling from Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The community was stricken by tragedy in 1884, when a gas leak in the Jokerville Mine sparked an explosion, killing more than 60 men. McCosker’s role in CC&I’s mining operations became more vital as they rebuilt. He was officially contracted by the company in 1885 and was Crested Butte’s premier blacksmith. This led to his first expansion, a warehouse, pushing out towards Elk Ave. In 1893, he built another structure next to his shop, which would be leased out by a cobbler selling boots and shoes . McCosker was commercializing his land and business was good. He was selling a variety of different goods and services to the community. In 1899, McCosker made plans to construct a more formal storefront, which was completed the following year. The corner of 4th and Elk, where we stand now, was home to an official hardware store.
McOsker’s hardware store was well received by the local residents. By 1902, his shop was patronized by the entire north end of the county. He apparently had tremendous foresight as well. He installed a hand crank gas pump in the shed in 1911, becoming the town’s first commercial “gas station”. This was at a time when many residents hadn’t even seen an automobile, and certainly didn’t believe it would one day replace the horse as the premiere means of transportation. On all accounts, McCosker was well liked by the community. He conducted raffles in the summertime and participated in many community events. He fell ill and passed away around 1923. Before his death, he sold his property and business to William (Bill) Whalen. At the time of his death, McCosker was operating one of Crested Butte’s oldest businesses.
A Family Affair
Bill Whalen, another Irish immigrant, came to the Gunnison Valley in the early 1900s and he hit the ground running. He was close friends with Doc Rockefeller, who was considered a “kingpin” during Crested Butte’s “golden age.” Both had impressive resumes. Rockefeller appointed Whalen as superintendent of Crested Butte Light and Water Company and director of Crested Butte Bank. He was also elected county commissioner of Gunnison, a position he retained for more than 28 years. Purchasing McCosker’s hardware in 1923 was another business opportunity for Whalen. He enlisted the help of his son-in-law, Roger Nelson, to run the store.They reopened as the Crested Butte Hardware and Auto Supply Co. a name that the building would hold onto for 73 years. Another son-in-law, John Campbell, started working there soon after.
Crested Butte continued to evolve, and so did the store. In 1924, Whalen, Nelson and Campbell transformed the old blacksmith shop into a garage and updated the hand crank gas pump, making it a one stop shop for all motorists. Roger Nelson passed away in 1935, after a tragic accident involving a delivery over Monarch Pass. He was survived by his wife, Helen, and four children. Helen remarried Anthony John Mehilich in 1939. Whalen took a liking to Anthony, who was known by most as Tony. He offered him a job that same year, and so Tony’s story begins.
Tony’s Story
Tony’s upbringing was fairly common for life in a mining town. His family came in Crested Butte’s second wave of immigrants, which were from predominantly “Slavic” countries. They were Croatian peasants living under the Hapsburg Monarchy where poverty and unrest were the status quo. Tony’s father, John Mihelich, refused military service under the oppressive regime and sought refuge in America. He immigrated in 1891 and would settle in Crested Butte about a year later. His wife, Mary, couldn’t make the journey until 1895, when they eventually reunited. John became a coal miner and was an avid participant in American Democracy. He spoke English fluently and sported a controlled but f irm demeanor, making him a great spokesperson. He was passionate in his support for the United Mine Workers of America, which led to him being blacklisted from local mines for a number of years.
Tony wasn’t one for much leisure time, leading an active life. He loved to ski in the winter, long before any lift was installed in the valley. He was also a pool shark and is on record as saying “he could match any player in town” Which, coming from a modest man, must mean he was very good. But he was best known as a shortstop, even catching the attention of some scouts that urged him to pursue a career in profesional baseball. However, his love for his community never led him too far from home. Instead, he opted for a job with the town as treasurer. The role of treasurer suited Tony and led to a seat on the town council. It was said that, at the time, much of the town’s government had grown apathetic towards their duties, but Tony served his community with compassion and purpose. Many considered him the de facto Mayor of Crested Butte. He stopped working for the town in 1939, when He married Helen Nelson.
Tony and His Conoco
Tony was quick to impress his new father-in-law, becoming a partner in the family business in 1940. His new position came with a heavy workload. “The Hardware” was the only business in town selling building supplies and lumber, which meant Tony wore many different hats. Gas arrived in 20,000 gallon batches, needing to be pumped into the tanks. The Peanut Mine was ordering blasting supplies, leaving Tony to deliver the dynamite. And of course, he would work in the shop, providing friendly service to his community. Gradually, and over many years, Tony’s importance in the day to day operation grew. He was slowly becoming a f ixture at the hardware store. But along the way, the importance of coal was dwindling. Industries were switching to alternative fuel sources, like gas and electricity, and the CF&I found another source of coke closer to their steel mill making it less expensive. At one time, Crested Butte’s Big Mine was the third largest coal mine in the state. It employed more than 200 people and was capable of producing 1000 tons of coal per day. But the changing times would cause the CF&I to downsize, leading to the mine’s closure in 1952. Crested Butte was no longer a coal town, but now was on the verge of becoming a ghost town. People fled, seeking work elsewhere, selling their property if they could. Those who remained did so for the love of their community and Tony was no exception. He bought out his brother-in-law’s stake and became the sole owner and operator of the shop. As the town was searching for a new identity, Tony and his hardware continued to serve the community. A shift was needed for the town to survive and it came in (DATE), when two men purchased the Melensek Ranch, transforming it into a base area for a new ski resort.
The Last Bastion
The ski resort opened in the winter of 1961-62, prompting a new generation of young people to trickle into the Valley. They came from different places and walks of life, but a common thread between them was a yearning for freedom from the monotony of traditional values. This generational wave with hippies and drop outs, veterans and draft dodger, sporting long hair and shabby clothes, came as a shock to many of the natives in Crested Butte, especially the resilient “Old Timers” (as they would come to be called affectionately) who would congregate around the old potbelly stove still standing in our museum today. These former miners shared stories amongst themselves. And were known to occasionally pass judgment on some fresh face that might walk into the shop. Some were not as receptive to the changing times as others. They were saddened by what was happening around them. But who could blame them? Some eventually accepted the necessary changes, even embracing them. But those who could not had a place to gripe and reminisce about the old days.Tony outlived many of these men and as the town was continuing to evolve, Tony would remain the same. He was kind and respectful to all visitors, which enhanced his reputation.