Author: Patrick Henry Sweeney

  • A fair-weather Old-Fashioned County Fair

    A fair-weather Old-Fashioned County Fair

    Gilpin community gathers together for some old-fashioned fun

    By David Josselyn

    Gloomy skies greeted the early light of morning on Saturday, July 24, 2021. Through the gloom, vendors hastily set up booths, equestrians exercised their horses, shepherds watched over their sheep, and emergency personnel assembled. Despite the gloom, spirits were high with many a “good morning!” and “I haven’t seen you since…” (more…)

  • Gilpin rodeo arena dedicated as the Allen Memorial Arena

    Gilpin rodeo arena dedicated as the Allen Memorial Arena

    Gilpin County Fair

    By David Josselyn

    On Saturday, July 24, 2021, with hundreds of people in attendance, Gilpin Archwood 4H and GCART dedicated the outdoor arena on the fairgrounds in the memory of fallen (more…)

  • Returning the headstones to their rightful place

    Returning the headstones to their rightful place

    Gilpin Historical Society

    By David Forsyth, PhD

    Theft from cemeteries has been a problem for decades. People steal floral arrangements for decorative purposes, vases for scrap metal, and even headstones and statues to put in their back yards. Gilpin County’s cemeteries have not been immune (more…)

  • Hank Robinson remembered

    Hank Robinson remembered

    January 11, 1951 – June 22, 2021

    Henry “Hank” Wilson Robinson III, formerly of Gilpin County Public Works, passed away June 22, 2021. Hank was born in Denver, Colorado January 11, 1951 to Henry and Lee (Drinkwine) Robinson.  He served in the military in the early 1970’s before marrying Nancy (Spain) and moving to his family’s property in Gilpin County. Hank and Nancy had two children Henry Wilson Robinson IV (May 5, 1976 – July 31, 1994) and Erin Louise Robinson (Nov 7, 1978 – May 7, 2017). Hank’s children were the most (more…)

  • Smith celebrates 20 years of service to Gilpin

    Smith celebrates 20 years of service to Gilpin

    Gilpin County Fair this Saturday!

    By Aaron Storms

    Thanks to Sharon Cate for assistance with this story! The Gilpin Commissioners opened the July 20th meeting with a celebration of Finance Director Clorinda Smith’s retirement after 20 years of dedicated service to Gilpin County.  The reception was well attended by friends and co-workers in appreciation for the great job she has done for the residents of the County. The Board of County (more…)

  • Who stole Gilpin County’s money?

    Who stole Gilpin County’s money?

    Another mystery from the Gilpin Historical Society

    By David Forsyth, PhD

    On the morning of January 20, 1967, Gilpin County Treasurer and Glory Hole Tavern owner Bill Axton was found bound and gagged inside the vault of the Treasurer’s (more…)

  • Black Hawk ends pandemic orders

    Black Hawk ends pandemic orders

    COVID funding will keep free tramway shuttle service continuing in two gaming communities

    By Don Ireland

    The foggy era of Covid-19 has officially lifted in Black Hawk. Black Hawk’s emergency declaration order – issued for the coronavirus in March 2020 – was officially (more…)

  • Sword fights and train robberies

    Sword fights and train robberies

    Fun at Belvidere Theatre and Clark School

    By Brian Gibbins

    As a tourist town in the summer, Central City made and exciting background for adventure for any nine-year old boy. Imagine living in the middle of a western set for a movie. Where almost every building is dedicated to bringing the essence of mining, the old west and the Victorian era into the hearts and photographs of visitors. (more…)

  • Central City has never looked or felt this vibrant

    Central City has never looked or felt this vibrant

    Council approves college scholarships

    By David Josselyn

    Work Session

    Council met with Staff for a work session prior to the regular meeting. The topics of (more…)

  • Black Widow gets her own movie…finally

    Black Widow gets her own movie…finally

    What is Family?

    By David Josselyn

    As people crawl back to movie theaters, Marvel Studios releases its first film since 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far from Home.” The solo adventure of Scarlett Johansson’s “Black Widow” has been in the works for (more…)

  • St. James 162nd Homecoming

    St. James 162nd Homecoming

    July 11, 2021 in Central City

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    The charms of a loved church building can take your breath away, because it is not just a building. Being inside, you can join with the others who have been here, to worship (more…)

  • If only I had more willpower…

    If only I had more willpower…

    Health and Fitness – Your Personal Trainer

    By Beckie DiMauro

    You want to eat a piece of cake. You know it’s not the best choice, so a voice in your head says, “Stop!” And with that, you dutifully move along to a glass of sparkling water with lime instead of the indulgent treat. If only it were that easy. (more…)

  • All-State 8-man football game delivers outstanding action

    All-State 8-man football game delivers outstanding action

    Gilpin County’s first annual hosting of the game

    By Gary King

    For the first time Gilpin County High School, Black Hawk was the setting of the Elite All-State 8-man football game, a tradition going back over 50 years. Each elite athlete was a 2021 graduating High (more…)

  • Fritz Peak Observatory

    Fritz Peak Observatory

    Shining star of Gilpin’s past, only heaven knows the future – Part 2 of 2

    By Don Ireland

    The past of the Fritz Peak Observatory is an indelible part of Gilpin County’s history. The short-term future for the 5.8-acre property, however, will remain something of a (more…)

  • Iconic Fritz Peak Observatory research lab

    Iconic Fritz Peak Observatory research lab

    Shooting green laser beams into Gilpin’s night skies – Part 1 of 2

    By Don Ireland

    If you’ve driven along Route 119 between Rollinsville and Black Hawk, you’ve passed by the Fitz Peak Observatory (FPO). The building has been part of local folklore since the era when green laser beams emanated from the roof into the night skies above Gilpin County. After decades of full-time use, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (more…)

  • Gilpin County mask requirements clarified

    Gilpin County mask requirements clarified

    Commissioners implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) meeting opened at 9:06, July 6, 2021, having a slight delay for audio connections for those joining by Zoom.  In Gilpin County’s original upstairs courtroom at 203 Eureka Street, Central City our Gilpin County BoCC included; District 1 (more…)