Big tent shows delivering fantastic entertainment across the country
By Ben Dugan
Circuses have provided a great source of entertainment since the 1700’s. In the United States the advent of the circus tent in the 1820’s provided a more reliable means of performance regardless of weather. (more…)
And Pike’s first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains
By Maggie Magoffin
Many thanks to Bill Spellman of Black Hawk for sending me this article from the Sunday, February 3, 1946 edition of the Rocky Mountain News.
“How Denver Got Its Name” by the Sage of the Rockies (more…)
Colorado Pioneer
By Maggie Magoffin
A descendent of Irish and English Ancestry, Ira Austin was born May 30, 1807 in Bristol, Ontario County, New York. A native of Western New York, his father Levi Austin was a farmer by occupation and extensively engaged in fruit and vegetable cultivation. (more…)
American Legion Post 166 holds observance at Veterans Memorial
by Patty Unruh
Members of the American Legion Cody Thomas Post 166 observed a Veterans Day ceremony at the Gilpin County Veterans Memorial outside of the Gilpin County Community Center on Friday, November 11. (more…)
Gilpin County School honors all veterans who served our country
by Patty Unruh
Gilpin County School observed a stirring Veterans Day celebration on Thursday, November 10. The assembly was a moving tribute to these men and women who sacrificed that we might be free. About 25 veterans of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines were given the seats of honor. (more…)
A Colorado Pioneer
By Maggie Magoffin
James B. Arthur was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in March of 1835, one of several sons of Scotch Highlanders who like thousands of their neighbors were forced to seek shelter in other lands to avoid persecution for their religious beliefs. (more…)
A Colorado Pioneer
By Maggie Magoffin
Born in the Reichstoff province on the Rhine River in Alsace-Lorraine, France, July 7, 1819, Anthony (Tony) Arnett was about nine years old when he came to the United States. He sailed on a seven-week voyage to New York with his parents, Louis and Clara and nine siblings. (more…)
Colorado Pioneers
By Maggie Magoffin
William Arbuthnot was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1835. His brother Samuel (Sam) August 17, 1836. (more…)
Central City Creepy Crawl
By David Josselyn
The ghosts of past residents are haunting the historic town of Central City. Scarlet Rose, Professor John Morrissey, Elizabeth Court Tabor, and others have been seen inhabiting the Teller House, the Opera House, Baby Doe’s Casino, and Doc Holliday’s. They don’t seem to be here to harm any mortals, but they do appear eager to share their stories. (more…)
Colorado Pioneers
By Maggie Magoffin
Alonzo Nelson Allen was born in 1820 to John and Anna (Greenleaf) Allen on a farm near Seneca, New York. A quiet man, hard of hearing, he rarely discussed his early years. In his twenties, he relocated to Ohio and later to Columbus, Wisconsin where he farmed and operated a mill. (more…)
Daughters of the American Revolution
By Cheryl Lydyard
Members of the Mountain Rendezvous Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, recently enjoyed a field trip to Gilpin County. The chapter is based in Evergreen but has several members who live in Gilpin County. (more…)
A Colorado Pioneer
By Maggie Magoffin
Anyone who settled in what is now Colorado prior to February 26, 1861 is known as a pioneer. Previously, the area was little known except to Indians and occasional explorers. Colorado was established as a territory on August 1, 1876. (more…)
To Black Hawk and Central City
By Maggie Magoffin
With this year’s Presidential election fast approaching, this article from the May 2016 issue of Gilpin Historical Society’s The Nugget seems quite timely. (more…)
Comes to Central City in a Big Way!
By Aaron Storms
Vintage 1950’s hot rods were spotted on Thursday, September 15th converging on Central City and Black Hawk from all over the state and beyond, causing the community to wonder what was going on. It was soon apparent by Friday noon when over 150 vintage cars roared up to the KOA for tech inspection after the morning reliability run from Golden to Central City to kick off the Hot Rod Hill Climb. (more…)
Entrepreneur Extraordinaire and Founder of Rollinsville
By Maggie Magoffin
John Q. A. Rollins was born on June 16, 1816. His father was a Baptist preacher and his mother was a strong Christian woman. John, consequently, received strict religious training and a solid common-school education. By the age of twelve, he was active in a variety of businesses from farming, to milling, to mercantile pursuits. (more…)
City of Black Hawk 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
By David Josselyn
Imagine, if you will indulge me, you are eating breakfast in the firehouse during the morning shift when the alarms begin. As practiced many times before, you grab your gear, throw on your bunker gear (heat resistant coat and pants), altogether about 80 extra pounds, and take your place on the fire engine. (more…)