This group of business boosters is shown in front of the Hans Aspaas store in Ignacio around 1915. The woman in the first vehicle is holding an “Ignacio” pennant as they get ready to leave on a promotional tour to surrounding communities to bring attention to the town and its businesses. This Hans Aspaas Mercantile building burned in 1917. Hans’ father was an early homesteader in the Animas Valley, arriving in 1874. This photo is one of 220 to appear in the upcoming “Images of America – La Plata County,” by Ed Horvat, to be published in July. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog Number: 13.23.37 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)
