RegisterCall.com

Category: History

  • The life and times of Merna Obersler Slater

    The life and times of Merna Obersler Slater

    Surviving polio in Central City and loving life

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    Merna (Obersler) Slater was born in May 1945 to a miner in Central City, Colorado, and has experienced many good family times while living in a historic mining town in the mountains of Colorado. She has also seen her share of challenges, although she seems to become stronger with each trial. This is her story of life and times growing up in Central City and Colorado. Merna’s father’s, Joe Obersler, and his family knew poor conditions for Colorado miners, being in southern (more…)

  • The 2021 Yellow Rose Ball

    The 2021 Yellow Rose Ball

    Denver debutants open the Central City Opera Summer Festival

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    For 88 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…)

  • Don’t enjoy gaming in Black Hawk? Well, go take a hike…

    Don’t enjoy gaming in Black Hawk? Well, go take a hike…

    The Future of Black Hawk, Part 2

    By Don Ireland

    (Editor’s note: This is the second in a series about the ongoing Black Hawk renaissance, including planned developments and attractions.)

    Many visitors look at Black Hawk solely as a place to go and gamble, regardless of whether its slot machines, poker, baccarat, blackjack, craps or sports betting. However, that viewpoint of the mountain town may change in the future as the result of Black Hawk’s ongoing renaissance. (more…)

  • Mike Shayne comes to Central City

    Mike Shayne comes to Central City

    Gilpin Historical Society

    By David Forsyth, PhD

    On November 24, 1939, the Weekly Register-Call reported that Mr. and Mrs. Davis Dresser had visited Central City to do some research in the files of the newspaper. Only a die-hard fan would have known that Davis Dresser was in fact one of the best-known mystery writers of his time. He wrote under several pseudonyms, including Asa Baker, (more…)

  • Changes, new attractions part of Black Hawk’s ongoing renaissance

    Changes, new attractions part of Black Hawk’s ongoing renaissance

    The Future of Black Hawk, Part 1

    By Don Ireland

    (Editor’s note: This is the first of several stories about planned developments and attractions for Black Hawk, including an artisan’s beverage community, the Gregory Street historic project, hiking trails and more.)

    A renaissance is continuing for the City of Black Hawk. The community’s historic, gold-mining past has been well-documented and featured in books, magazines, newspaper stories and other media for more than a century. (more…)

  • The Jeep

    The Jeep

    Snow fun in Central City as a kid – Part 1 of 2

    by Brian Gibbins

    If we were going to spend a winter in the house we were building, we were going to need more than the 2-wheel drive truck we had. That fall, Dad brought home “The Jeep.” We just called it The Jeep since we didn’t really name vehicles and we only had one Jeep. Dad had already taught me the basics in the truck and I had been steering around rocks for him all summer from the passenger seat at 12 years old. But back to the Jeep… (more…)

  • The Duration Burger

    The Duration Burger

    Adventures of growing up in the ‘70s in Central City

    By Brian Gibbins

    Another night out for the Gibbins family while living on the outskirts of Central City. We bundled up for the winter weather and left the Buck House on our way to town. Dad decided to drive through Nevadaville as that way was more direct. The old Jeep might have (more…)

  • Ulysses S. Grant in Central City

    Ulysses S. Grant in Central City

    Gilpin Historical Society

    by David Forsyth, PhD

    Although Gilpin County has enjoyed its share of famous visitors, perhaps none was as famous as Ulysses S. Grant. Grant first visited Central City in July 1868 with Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and Phil Sheridan, greeting well-wishers in the (more…)

  • 47th Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day

    47th Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day

    Saturday, August 14 featuring the Famous Bed Races!

    By Lisa Roemhildt

    Join us Saturday, August 14, at noon through 8:00 pm for the 47th Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day! Madam Lou Bunch Day is a family event of fun, competition and loaded with history and facts of the area. Madam Lou Bunch owned the most successful brothel (referred to as a “sporting house”) in Central City. The annual event features the (more…)

  • Big plans for the Golden Gilpin Mill

    Big plans for the Golden Gilpin Mill

    Black Hawk homeowners participate in city house painting program

    By Randy Beaudette

    Black Hawk Police Chief Michelle Moriarty rang the bell to kick off the Black Hawk City Council regular meeting on May 12, 2021 to discuss a site development plan for the Golden Gilpin Mill, several construction (more…)

  • Burro racing in Colorado!

    Burro racing in Colorado!

    Georgetown and Idaho Springs Burro Races 2021

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    Why run a race leading a burro packed for prospecting? How did we get to the place where burro racing became Colorado’s Summer Heritage Sport? For eons of time on earth, the only way to sustain bread of life and shelter is to just do it. Living at all, took great effort and wisdom, and was most effective when working together with others in your home, (more…)

  • The Wild Bunch rides again!

    The Wild Bunch rides again!

    Street theater reenactments in Central City this summer

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    The Wild Bunch of Central City replays historic tales of Gilpin County coming to be, from noon to 4, when St. Mary’s Church (more…)

  • Belvidere Foundation requests $75K grant from Central City

    Belvidere Foundation requests $75K grant from Central City

    City Council losing a member

    By David Josselyn

    Regular Council Meeting

    Just prior to the start of the meeting, at 6:58 pm, an impromptu conversation was had between Mayor Fey, Alderman Aiken, and Commissioner Web Sill (Alderwoman Johnson was also in the room) which constituted a quorum. However, the Zoom (more…)

  • The adventures of Fred Dolley

    The adventures of Fred Dolley

    From the Gilpin Historical Society

    By David Forsyth, PhD

    In 1909 the Gilpin Observer referred to Russell Gulch resident Fred W. Dolley as a “gentleman of varied experience” and “one of the most versatile fellows in this section.” By then he had already been a roller-skating rink owner, farmer, miner, and railroad builder after having been in the county only a few years. (more…)

  • It’s a small, Schmalz world in Central City

    It’s a small, Schmalz world in Central City

    The life and times leading up to Dostal Alley

    By Don Ireland

    Phil and Ruth Schmalz took a risk in 1958 when they opened a rock shop along Main Street in Central City. At the time, Central City – once a booming gold mining town a century earlier – was mostly a summer tourist attraction and nothing much (more…)

  • Dostal Alley reopens after remodeling interior

    Dostal Alley reopens after remodeling interior

    Adding new upgrades while keeping traditions intact

    By Don Ireland

    After a frantic week of changes and remodeling, Central City’s Dostal Alley is open again for business. The regular patrons of the casino, brewpub and restaurant were literally knocking at the doors, asking how soon they could get in. When the doors opened again for business last week after being closed for nearly a week, the customers were smiling. (more…)