Oral History Interview with Jens Christiansen, 1992 January 5, 2006, 1902-1992

Item

Identifier: AHS-C161

Staff Only

Abstract

In the interview, Jens and Gladyce Christiansen discuss their early lives and how they ended up in Aspen, CO. They also talk about Aspen in the early 1900's. Furthermore, they recollect stories and encounters with various people who lived in Aspen including Hannibal Brown, Red Rowland, and Mike Garrish. Furthermore, the couple shares various stories including one in which Jens and a friend got arrested because their horse splattered a woman on the street. They also talk about the immense change in Aspen in 1946 when the ski lift opened. Finally, they openly discuss their disappointment with the town today as it is a "billionaire town" in which not many people can be trusted.

Dates

1992 January 5
Digitization: 2006
Coverage: 1902-1992

Digital Repository

Oral History Interview with Jens Christiansen

Conditions Governing Access

Copyrights to this resource is held by the Aspen Historical Society and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be downloaded, reproduced, or distributed in any format without written permission of the Aspen Historical Society.Any attempt to circumvent the access controls placed on this file is a violation of United States and international copyrights laws and is subject to criminal prosecution.http://http://www.cdpheritage.org/about/copyright.html

Biographical / Historical

Bio: Jens Christiansen was born on May 4, 1902 in Boris, Denmark. On May 4, 1914, Jens sailed with his parents and four siblings to Colorado . Before buying the Owl Creek Ranch in 1925, Jens worked on the ranch for $1 a day. Jens met his wife and got married in 1932 and had one daughter. The family moved to Glenwood Springs in October of 1990. Jens died on September 10, 1998. He is survived by her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Extent

1 Items ; 50 minutes

Additional Description

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Playback cassette tape: Maxell XL II 100

Computer Hardware: 3 (total) Intel Celeron 1.8GHz/224 MB RAM PC's (made by PowerSpec), each with a Firewall hard drive (2 made by MicroNet, 1 made by LaCie) and M-Audio Delta Audiophile (internal sound card); External Firewire Hard Drive; Analog Playback Equipment: Nakamichi Dragon, Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1; Analog/Digital Converter: Prism Dream ADA-8XR; Prism Sound Dream AD-2

Operating System: Windows XP; Capture and editing software: Steinberg Wavelab 4.0; Formatting software: Sony Soundforge; Other Devices: Switcher to allow monitoring of multiple transfers.

Basic Map: Nakamichi Dragon -> Analog RCA or XLR -> AD converter -> AES (XLR) -> M-Audio Card -> Software -> External Firewire Drive

General

Title supplied by: Anna L. Scott, Archivist. Interview conducted on January 5, 1992. Accompanied by digital transcript.

Names discussed: Jens Christiansen, Gladys Christiansen, Joyce Christiansen, Signe Christiansen, Kate Lindvig, Hildur Anderson, Kerns family, Bob Perry, Ella Mae Phillips, Dr. Whitcomb, Ann Wieben, Chris Wieben, Henry Staats, Jack Brenton, Jerry McLaren, Tom Kearns, Red Rowland, Mike Garrish, Hannibal Brown, Jim Snyder, Pan Handle Pete, George Stringer, Horse Thief Kelly, Dirty Herwick, Dirty Dalton, Tony the Weasel, Fish Herron, Johnny Herron, Frances Willoughby, Bill Herron, Lawrence Herron, Deacon Jones, Livie Christiansen, Elsa Christiansen, Heather Christiansen, Whispering Swede, Elizabeth Callahan, Fred Pierce, Gus, Judge Shaw, Dorothy Cole, Mrs. Lamb, Peggy, Al Lamb, Mrs. Sweeney, Kuster, Steve Knowlton, Billy Target, Mike Garrish, Rattle Snake Billy, Bubby Light, Jack Brunton, Edmond Gerbaz, Mrs. Hamilton, Charlie Wagner, Ikey Mogan, Ella Scupta, Stanley, Jack Herrington, Shenkle, Jap Morgan, Mrs. Jimmy Larson, Billy Luther, Alex Barrailler, Mrs. Barrailler, Otto Johnson, Strong's, Red Rowland, Strang's, Old Frank Bruin, Harry Needum, Owen Kerns, Jackie Marshall, Hudson, Frank Loushin, Willa Brown, Warren Conner, Emma Burke, Leo Kerns, Had Dean, Frank Wentworth, Mr. Paepcke, Sardy, Judge Shaw, Gary Cooper, Don Johnson, Fred Iselin, Albert Schweitzer, Robert McNamara, Mike Garrish, Sabers', Copley's, Dr. Whitcomb, Ann Weiben, Sonny Weiben, Stanley Natal, Elizabeth Sinclair, Ken Broughton, Joanne Jurick, Steve McLarin, Sam Stapleton, Polly Marolt, Steve Marolt, Billy Marolt, Ethel McCabe, Guido, Shorty, Nancy, Harold Whitcomb.

Place Names: Denmark, Snowmass, Snowmass Lake, Brush Creek, Colorado, Minnesota, Mason City, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Cozy Point Ranch, Basalt, Carlton Tunnel, Frying Pan, Shale Bluffs, Capital Creek, Hart Ranch, Independence Pass, Leadville, Glendale, Woody Creek, Long Beach, California, Connecticut, Virginia, West Eulland, Cooper Avenue, Aspen Mountain, Glendale, Main Street, Gold Hill, Taylor Pass, Woody Creek Road, Lenado, Vagneur Ranch, Grand Junction, Durant Street, Denver, Willow Lake, Red Mountain, Snowmass Creek, Carbondale, El Jebel, McClain Flats.

Business', Buildings, Organizations, Schools: Andre's, Hart's Grocery, Hart's Merchandise, Capital Creek School, Grog Shop, True Smith House, Rat's Bone, Midland Railroad, Catholic Church, Sardy Field, Glendale Ranch, Owl Creek School, Four Seasons, Aspen Drug, Hannible's, Armory Hall, City Hall, Lamb's Drug Store, Red Onion, Gold Horn, Crossroads Drug, Independence Drug, Midland Ranch, Williams Brothers Ranch, Barailler's Dairy, Silver Grill, Snowmass Club, Rexall Drug, Hotel Jerome, Blue Chicken, Stitzer House, Christian Science, Castle Creek light and Power Company, Old Street News, Aspen Historical Society.

Books mentioned: "Aspen on the Roaring Fork."