Constructed as a residence circa 1890, Frank Snell's home stood at the western end of Basalt until the fire of 1897 destroyed it along with that part of town. Snell, an engineer for the Colorado Midland, rebuilt the house in brick, and little has changed except its use. A historic photograph associated with the site captures the last passenger train departing Basalt in 1918 on its way up the Frying Pan to Leadville, with the depot and hotel visible as the town entered quieter years.