Non-Historic Structure Demolition on Chase Street
By Randy Beaudette
The most recent Black Hawk City Council regular meeting focused on the demolition of non-historic building in the historical district and the purchase of a new fire truck. Alderman Paul Bennett rang the bell to announce the July 10, 2019 session that stepped of smartly at 3:00 p.m. (more…)
Fine dining by Chef Herrin in Central City a favorite of locals and Opera patrons alike
By David Josselyn
Joe and Kara Tinucci were privileged to open a family-friendly eatery inside the historic Teller House last October 2018; however, running the restaurant through the summer would be conditional upon proving they could serve upscale food at an affordable rate during the opera season. The restaurant in the Teller House has long been (more…)
Warm, raw, and honest
By Kelly Dean Hansen, Ph.D.
There is no way to completely avoid the cultural insensitivities in “Madama Butterfly” without fundamentally altering the concept of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved 1904 score. The composer certainly elevated his source material and did his best to show respect to both Japanese and American culture, but at the time, stereotypes and misrepresentations were inevitable. (more…)
Residents not happy about Dory Hill Road closures
By Randy Beaudette
The Gilpin County Quality of Life survey results and the Dory Hill Road closure dominated the conversation at the Gilpin County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting held on Tuesday July 9, 2019 at the Gilpin County Courthouse. (more…)
A Fun Community Event at Christ the King
By Jaclyn Schrock
Free BBQ was one of the attractions with over 10 pounds each of pork loin, and pork shoulder from Roy’s Last Shot, burgers, brats and ribs, with all the fixins, sides, and desserts. Hot Spell’s versatile range of live music had everyone singing along or dancing to the talented rhythms and harmonies. (more…)
Drinking and Shooting at Nevadaville
By Mary Peery
Rocky Mountain News, July 19, 1884: “Quite a rumpus was kicked up at Nevadaville, the seat of most of the troubles in Gilpin County, early Thursday morning. Barely after midnight, George Ellis and Burke, who had been drinking in Mathews’ Saloon, appeared on the sidewalk in front of the saloon. Suddenly, and without apparent cause or warning, Burke hit Ellis in the head with a slung shot (striking weapon) knocking him to the ground, senseless. Burke made his escape for the time being by running away. (more…)
Night of Good Fortune and Belvidere Theatre facelift coming soon
By David Josselyn
Work Session
Central City Council met with Staff for a Work Session at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. Director Rears gave a presentation on the CU Denver Hometown Colorado Initiative. The initiative is a program originally created in Oregon that creates a partnership with a municipality to allow fourth-year students to (more…)
Movie Review
By David Josselyn
The final superhero comic book movie of 2019 (until October) opened July 2 concluding Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Spider-Man: Far from Home” is a cooperative effort between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures after Sony, who owns the rights to the Spider-Man character, allowed Marvel to use Peter Parker for a total of six movies. (more…)
Carrying on tradition
By Jaclyn Schrock
For 87 years Denver’s finest young women have been introduced to proper society in the garden between the Central City Opera House and the Teller House. About 25 juniors and/or senior high school young ladies are selected each year to be Flower Girls for the opening of the Central City Opera Summer Festival. (more…)
Changes from 1877 through today
By Julie Seitzinger
Weekly Register, December 8, 1877
The City Hall of Black Hawk is completed, and Judge Haight has domiciled himself therein. He looks as cozy as a kitten and puts on numerous airs heated by a thirty-dollar stove and several joints of Russian pipe. The completion of the new Black Hawk City Hall was appropriately celebrated on Tuesday evening by a grand banquet at which the Mayor, Aldermen, and most other leading citizens were present. Toasts were given, speeches made and many a bon mot was offered at this pleasant social gathering. Good feeling reigned supreme until the gathering finally dropped out one by one or adjourned in groups to home and slumber. (more…)
No sleeping on the streets or sidewalks
By Randy Beaudette
Black Hawk resident Tom Feeney rang the bell to announce another session of the Black Hawk City Council regular meeting on June 26, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Mayor Spellman called the Black Hawk City Council to order followed by Roll Call, then led in the Pledge of Allegiance. (more…)
Rimoine, Shuumbai, Shadrack, and Dennis
by Dave Gibson
My visit to a Maasai village eight years ago was one of the highlights of my safari to the Masai Mara, Kenya. After miserably failing to achieve fire, I wandered about snapping a few photos when I noticed a teenage boy holding a baby inside the doorway of their hut. A girl stood behind him and a small boy squeezed past his brother’s leg to get a better look at the camera-toting stranger. (more…)
Pouring from the Bottle, Not the Skies
By David Josselyn
On the second day of this lovely Gilpin summer (just coming off a day of snow above nine-thousand feet), with temperatures in the forties and heavy rain forecasted for the afternoon, the filtered sun warmed the cobbles of Main Street as nineteen vendors of liquid spirits pitched their tents, setup their makeshift bars, and arranged their wares with loving care. This was the seventh-annual Stills in the Hills event for Central City which allows paying participants to have unlimited samples from local distilleries accompanied (more…)
Saloons – Part 1
By Mary Peery
Nevadaville was originally named Nevada City. Nevada City was founded by A.D. Gambell and Sam Link, who formed a townsite company, only three weeks after John Gregory’s gold discovery in 1859. The Nevada Mining District was created with local laws of its own making, due to its (more…)
Water use in residential subdivisions designated for household only, not for domestic livestock
By Randy Beaudette
The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) opened up their Regular meeting at 9:01 a.m. on Wednesday June 25, 2019, at the Historic Gilpin County Courthouse. (more…)
In memory of Sammy
by Dave Gibson
A herd of Thompson’s gazelle (or Tommie) round a bend in the forest and nears the water’s edge. Cautiously at first, the lead gazelle gently dips its head for a drink. The crocodiles start to waggle upstream in a sinister jockeying for position. The gazelle (more…)